Today, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Nicole Cutts, the Creative Genius behind Vision Quest Retreats.
About Nicole Cutts, Ph.D.
For over 10 years, Nicole Cutts, Ph.D., licensed Clinical Psychologist, Success Coach, and Organizational Consultant has been inspiring and empowering people to achieve a more balanced and successful lifestyle. Dr. Cutts has consulted with and coached executives, managers, and teams at Fortune 500 Companies, Federal Government Agencies, and Non-Profit Organizations. As a master facilitator and Success Coach, she helps people create an exceptional life by honoring their mind, body, and spirit so they can experience joy, passion, meaning, and ultimate success in their work. Dr. Cutts is a featured writer on the Walter Kaitz Foundation website and has been featured in Black Enterprise, on Roland S. Martin's "Urban Business Roundtable,” BET, BBC Radio and broadcast outlets throughout the country.
In addition to what is noted above, Dr. Cutts is well known for her work in helping individuals in the DC area and abroad achieve more balanced and successful lifestyles by helping them clarify and achieve their visions of success in a context of prosperity.
With the New Year approaching, I believe this article is a timely treat for many of you who are looking to take control of your future in 2011. Without further ado, below is my interview with the amazing, Dr. Cutts.
*** My interview with Dr. Cutts ***
PW: I just love the name of your company, Vision Quest Retreats – it sounds so soothing and tranquil. How did the name come about?
NC: The term, “Vision Quest” actually derived from the Native American culture. It is known as a rite of passage in that culture. I use the term more loosely and in an organic sense.
Many years ago, I went on my own life journey that entailed a great deal of research, reading, praying and meditating. So, in essence from my own pursuit, I created a way to help others to embark upon their life journey. The name Vision Quest Retreats embodies that purpose. Upon developing the name, I created an extension for this vision through my consulting company, Cutts Consulting.
PW: Can you briefly tell my readers the mission behind Vision Quest Retreats?
NC: Certainly. We conduct retreats aimed at helping you clarify and achieve your Vision of Success. Our mission is to tap into the spirit and passion of individuals to produce highly motivated and effective people who follow their visions and live from the “inside out.”
PW: From my experience in dealing with business owners, there is generally an “aha” moment in their life that unconsciously sparks the creation of something amazing. Was there an “aha” moment in your life that caused you to create Vision Quest Retreats?
NC: There were many “aha” moments, but if I had to choose one, it was when a friend asked me to facilitate a two day retreat for a group of sixty individuals. During this retreat, I was able to utilize all of the skills that I’d gained throughout my career and work as the CEO of Cutts Consulting to make a positive difference in the lives of a huge group. I was able to immediately see the impact of my work and it was then that I realized that I was called to do this.
PW: You have an upcoming conference taking place in the DC area, correct? And, if, so, what’s the name of it?
NC: Yes. On Saturday, January 15, 2011 from 9-1 p.m. at the Conference Center on 20 F. Street, NW in Washington, DC, I, along with a Certified Financial Planner, Marie Isabel Laurion will be facilitating the first conference for the New Year which is entitled, “Taking Your Dreams from Design to Destiny: The Next Level.”
PW: Let’s talk about your upcoming conference, Taking Your Dreams from Design to Destiny: The Next Level. What was the inspiration behind the conference?
NC: This is actually the second conference. The first conference took place in April 2010 and was a success, but I realized that I hadn’t touched much on the financial aspect. Finances generally stop people from living their vision. So, when I began working on the 2011 conference, I knew that I had to incorporate financial planning and one’s attitude toward money. Those who attend this conference will learn how to position their finances as they prepare for their dreams from a certified financial planner.
In addition, I created Women Owned Business Wednesdays (WOBW) that works in conjunction with this conference. WOBW is a virtual celebration of women business owners. It’s a place where we can come together to promote and support one another. WOBW supports the mission of the conference by helping women clarify and achieve their visions of success in the context of prosperity. WOBW supports and celebrates women owned businesses.
PW: Are there any conference benefits for becoming a member of WOBW and how can women business owners everywhere become involved?
NC: Absolutely. Through Vision Quest Retreats, we are offering discounted registration to all women business owners on every Wednesday starting December 1st until the conference on Saturday, January 15, 2011. In addition, we are promoting women business owners who take advantage of this special registration by putting them on “blast” wherever we promote the “Taking Your Dreams from Design to Destiny” Women’s Conference 2011.
PW: That sounds awesome. I think every business owner can appreciate having their business or products promoted. What are some ways that these promotions are done?
NC: Women business owners who take advantage of the discounted registration will have their business or products promoted on the conference website, newsletters, blogs, social media sites, radio and TV interviews.
PW: What can attendees expect to take away from the conference?
NC: Attendees can expect to leave the conference with 1)Success Plan to define and set their dreams in action. 2) Dream Book, which lays out financial steps to help one reach their vision of success 3) Identify one’s ‘inner personalities’ to learn how to make them work together in order to achieve one’s dreams and 4) Network with amazing women who support each other.
PW: Why do you feel that it’s important for people to attend the conference?
NC: It is important for people to attend this conference if they want to begin the process of achieving clarity, defining their dreams and establishing a vision of success for their lives.
PW: I can feel your passion when you talk about this conference and can hardly wait to attend. Will there be more conferences to follow?
NC: Thank you. I am truly doing what I love and what I’m meant to do. And, yes, there will be more events in the near future.
PW: How can people get in touch with you to learn more about the conference and upcoming events?
NC: The best way to get in touch with me about the conference and upcoming events is to become a fan of our Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vision-Quest-Retreats ; follow me on Twitter at @successdoc and via the website at www.visionquestretreats.com. Also, if you want to participate in the Women Owned Business Wednesday, please use the hashtag # WOBW.
PW: How can those reading this who want to get involved do so?
NC: There are several ways that people can get involved. They can start by spreading the word by inviting women business owners to “Like” the Women Owned Business Wednesday Facebook Fan page. Learn more about the conference via the website www.visionquestretreats.com. Post information about their favorite women business owners who are doing big things with their businesses on the Vision Quest Retreats Facebook page, the “Taking Your Dreams from Design to Destiny” Women’s conference event wall, and Vision Quest Chronicles Blog.
Well, Dr. Cutts, thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to welcome me and my readers into your world. Wishing you much continued success in all that you do.
For more information about Vision Quest Retreats and the upcoming conference, Taking your Dreams from Design to Destiny: The Next Level, please visit:
Vision Quest Retreats: www.visionquestretreats.com
Twitter handle: @SuccessDoc
FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vision-Quest-Retreats
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