Gretchen Barocio

Founder of #THEGIRLPRENEUR NETWORK

 Who is Gretchen? What is your mission?

Gretchen:  “Prior to the creation of #THEGIRLPRENEUR brand itself, I spent 12 years in the corporate arena working for several top fortune 500 companies including the Seattlite favorite, Starbucks Coffee Corporation.  It was meeting Howard Shultz in person in 2001 at Seattle University’s Albers School of Business where my real love for entrepreneurship began to take shape.  During my twelve-year journey in the corporate arena, I worked my way up the ladder managing multi-million dollar contracts for clients such as Boeing, Lexus and Pepsi. My in-depth business background combined with extensive knowledge in PR and zealous love for Jesus is what gives me a very rare, yet powerful platform to stand on as fierce influencer in the online business space. My overall mission is to coach and teach women from all over the world how to build the business of their dreams using functional, real, authentic faith.  It can be chic, savvy, fun and glamorous all at the same time.”

 Your goal is to write a book in 2017. Thought of a title yet? What will the book be about and what do you want your readers to learn from it?

Gretchen:  “Book number #1 is actually already written and in the editing process. Book number #2 does have a title, which will be released in the promo video airing all social media platforms on February 14th.  The book is solely focused on breaking the barriers of all the past hurts, hiccups and hangups that have held women back in the business world. It is comprised of principles developed straight from scripture and applicable to the modern day business woman (in a chic and savvy way of course!)”

2017 is the year of hustle for female entrepreneurs. What are some short term goals you have for yourself this year?

Gretchen:  “You are so right Oprah!  This is not only the year of hustle for female entrepreneurs, I would be bold enough to say that this is THEE year.  God is going to bust down some doors with women world-wide and that is so exciting to see happening already! As far as short-term goals, I have a private one-on-one business coaching program launching this Spring, which is in alignment with book number two.  It is already in the design process and the content curated will challenge any and every woman who pours herself into the intensive process.

Short term goal number 2: book number three!  Which will be a compilation of all the business devotionals I have already available as a free resource to women around the world.  This version would be more glamed up and have an in-depth study guide to go with it.

What is the main lesson you learned in 2016 on a spiritual level?

Gretchen:  “That Jesus is NUMBER ONE…in absolutely everything I do.  Everything!  If it doesn’t start and end with Him, this girl wants no part of it.  He is my CEO, my number one fan, and the fulfiller of my ultimate dreams.  He has continued to blow my mind each year in His provision and blessings over my family and businesses.”

What books do you recommend for Christian women that wants a more personal relationship with God?

Gretchen:  “Oh my goodness…the list is ENDLESS! I am a reader, full-on book nerd (it’s kind of pathetic I don’t own stock in Amazon yet…I buy enough books through them, Ha!) But to give the top 3 books I would recommend to go deeper in your relationship with Jesus would be: Uninvited by Lysa Terkerust, Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer and Rooted by Banning Liebscher.  Those are my top three and I’ve read them more than once. Absolutely AMAZING books for going deeper in a relationship with Jesus.”

As a wife and mom, how do you tackle taking care of your family and having your own business?

Gretchen:  “On my knees….daily.  I have to be in constant prayer because if I’m not, I miss His best for all of the above areas.  Some days are harder than others.  People say all the time, “It’s all about balance.”  I would argue there is no such thing as balance.  It starts with prioritizing what is important for that day…sometimes the kids come before my business.  Other days, the business has to come before my kids, and other days, my husband is the priority.  I am not a believer in being a multi-tasker (contrary to popular belief that such a concept even exists.)  Multi-tasking is a thing of the past.  It really boils down to three things:

-What is it that God has called you to do?

-How does that call line up and look through the lens of scripture?

-Understand that ‘No’ is a complete sentence. Meaning you will have to say NO to a lot of good things in order to be able to YES to God’s best for your life as a woman in business.

What bible scripture best describes the year you want for yourself in 2017?

Gretchen:  “Without a doubt, Proverbs 31:16-18.  Which reads:

She considers a field and buys it; from her earning she plants a vineyard.  She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She sense that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night.

The gift of entrepreneurship is truly that– a gift!! And it is our responsibility as #JesusGirls to share that gift with the world! These few verses out of Proverbs are a true picture of a business woman in her hustle.  She is always looking out, she is always making SMART, WISE, GODLY investments (aka– not going into debt with her business, taking what she does make and continuing to invest it and multiply her investments and continuing to pour into others.)  She takes no prisoners, yet she takes no crap.   And girl, that light isn’t going out— she’s hustling all the time!”

As a successful corporate executive, self-published author, network marketer and founder of #THEGIRLPRENEUR Network, Gretchen Barocio, empowers women to break out of the world’s box and embrace who they’ve been created to be in Christ; especially when it comes to launching and running a business this day in age. Gretchen’s chic and savvy approach to “religion versus relationship” with Jesus in business has drawn hundreds of women from all over the world wanting to know more about Him, their faith and how it becomes the very foundation on which their business must be built. In the past three years, she has self-published her first book: Fiercely You: God, Guts, Glitter and Glamour for the Female Entrepreneur and is in the final stages of book number two’s release. She has also built a full-fledged digital network as a space where #JesusGirls in business from all over the world come together in His name to learn the foundational principles and skills necessary to build, launch and sustain a business.Gretchen has done collaborations with several public figures including: Kim Garst, Tiphani Montgomery and Domonique Price to name a few.  Currently, Gretchen also works in collaboration with CEO and Founder of TheHopeUnitedProject, Lorissa Kyle, as its first official influencer in the fashion industry and her written work is listed in Forbes acclaimed company, Bossbabe.Inc’s library of ‘must reads’ for female entrepreneurs.

Instagram: @iamthegirlpreneur

Twitter: @gretchenbarocio

Periscope: @gretchenbarocio

Order Fiercely You: God, Guts, Glitter, and Glamour for the Female Entrepreneur now!