There’s 2 main reason for this blog post! 1) I am setting some boundaries on my engagement back on social media and I want to elaborate on that and 2) I want to let everyone know why there is no Southern Jewlz Try On Session on my instagram today.
Why Am I Setting Some Boundaries for Myself Online?
First off – let me say that I absolutely LOVE having an online community. My online “friends” “followers” and “customers” are true blessings in my life. I love engaging back, getting to know everyone better, and even hearing about each of your own struggles, victories, challenges and evolutions along the way. However, I need a little break from the constant and redundant questions that can easily be answered without sending me a message. It’s not that I do not want to answer your questions – it’s just that there is only so much time in my work day! I’m constantly putting together future workout programs, filming how-to-do exercises, recording how-to voice overs, designing future new pieces for my label, helping with customer support for PowHer.fit clients, capturing blog content, taking Southern Jewlz product pics, sorting through emails and inbox requests, and the list goes on. Answering and engaging with each of you online takes hours out of my day (which I enjoy!), but feeling overwhelmed and defeated with redundant simple questions where the answer is listed in MULTIPLE AREAS is simply draining. There’s only one me, and I want to be able to give my best self to everyone!
My personal DM inbox on instagram has been full of constant repetitive messages lately. They usually start off with a long reasoning as to why going to the gym is not an option for them followed by the question, “Will I be able to do PowHer.fit from home?” This may seem like such a simple question, and the answer is simply YES! But when I have to answer this question every single day over and over and over again, I am now drawing a line for myself because I NEED to for my sanity. Keep in mind I am talking about my PERSONAL Instagram where I always try to answer everything with a personal touch! This question and answer is SUPER FIGURE-OUT-ABLE with just a tiny bit of effort! So now my responses to questions like these will seem much more automated rather than personal.
So many instagram messages are answered with bots, but I choose to keep a personal touch on mine! Any simple question asked that is very obvious on any of my business websites will be answered with a generic and automated response including the website link to find the answer. Here’s why:
- The Bio of the PowHer.fit instagram literally starts off with “Resistance Training Fitness App with Home AND Gym Workouts.”
- The “About Us” and “FAQ” on the PowHer.fit website states that we have home programs. (I am now having my developers put in large, bold and capitalized letters across the top of the website that we have HOME AND GYM WORKOUTS.)
- If you read any of the social media posts about PowHer.fit, many mention and highlight our home program.
- We have a FREE 5 Day Trial where you can find out literally EVERYTHING about the program – including the fact that there is a home program and that you get access to BOTH the gym and home programs. You can switch in between the two if you need to.
- My most recent fitness photo shoot (that I have now given y’all a sneak peek to) was done AT HOME to show y’all more visuals about our home program. I personally choose to not workout at home because I work from home. Going to the gym is my time away from work and house chores. Just a personal preference for me. So get ready to see LOTS of new home workout content from me. I am even going to try to film a few sneak peeks of some home workout movements on my social media once a week moving forward.
- There is a FAQ Highlight Reel saved on the PowHer.fit instagram that I took over 4 hours to put together for y’all! It reads exactly what the FAQ on the PowHer.fit website reads, but I did this for people who did not want to leave instagram and go to a website. I feel I have done EVERYTHING to make you be able to understand and even try out my program without having to pay. If you sign up and do not feel the program is for you, then cancel within 5 days and you WILL NOT BE CHARGED!
- Many members who do their workouts either at home (or even in hotel rooms while traveling for work) share insta stories of being able to get their workout in and I try my best to always repost all of these stories for other followers to see!
If anyone has any suggestions on better ways that I can make it more obvious that we offer home workouts and programs, by all means please share them below in the comments! I know people skim and don’t really read these days, but I want to teach women by my actions that in order to be successful in ANYTHING (especially something like a fitness journey) that sometimes we just have to figure things out and keep going.
Self care is a REAL thing and I believe that everyone should set their own boundaries that allow them to keep flourishing and blossoming – whatever the boundaries may be! Nobody can pour from an empty well!
Here is the sneak peek I gave y’all to my most recent fitness photo shoot with GT Studios and Versy:
I love getting to engage with each of you, but please try to utilize many other resources that I have worked hard to put together for y’all. I love answering questions for my paid members and for followers who have GENUINE questions. So please, please, please utilize any business’s FAQ page before sending a redundant question that takes time to be answered.
Joining a fitness program isn’t for everyone – and I know that! I always pray for patience and understanding on helping people with their own fitness journeys, however I also pray for wisdom and effort on the client or future client’s end as well. I cannot force feed everything to someone! Fitness really is something that takes a special “want-to” and then a “constant effort” type of mentality. If you want the reward, you’ve gotta be willing to put in the work. If you’re really interested in my fitness program (or any other fitness program for that matter) please read and do your appropriate research about the program. Ever accredited fitness program or app will have detailed information about the program(s) and the trainer(s).
As for my paid PowHer.fit members, I really want each of you to start utilizing the online community forum at PowHer.fit a little more. The reason for this is because I am not a professional strength coach or nutritionist, but Ben Crane with PowHer.fit is! He helps me to oversee and answer all of the questions asked on the member forum. Ben has much more experience than me and is going to be able to answer you way better than I am 9 times out of 10. I brought him on at PowHer.fit so the members could benefit from his expertise, so let’s be sure to UTILIZE the forum. Plus, when you ask a question in the forum it is then saved for other future members who may have the same question to be able to read. So much better than just sending me a DM on instagram!
I plan on having a customer service live chat on the PowHer.fit website in the next 4-6 weeks where I can send everyone with questions. Trying to keep up with instagram messages (both on my personal and business accounts) , instagram comments, emails, facebook messages (on personal and business accounts) , forum chats, text messages, facebook comments – it can be easy to miss someone and no “off” time. Soon we will operate customer support through live chat for all non-paid and paid members and the forum for all paid members where there will be support tickets created for every issue/question. I just have to survive the next few weeks before we get live chat installed and trained for the PowHer.fit company!
Now, why isn’t there a Southern Jewlz try on session on instagram this week?
If you’ve been an avid follower of mine, you’ll know I sold this company a few months ago. I am proud to still influence for the Southern Jewlz Boutique brand. I do a weekly try on session on Wednesdays to give you all a sneak peek and closer look at all the items before they launch on Thursdays at 7pm CST. Well this week is SALE WEEK at Southern Jewlz – so there will not be a new launch this week for that reason. The entire site is 20% off and if you use my code “Randa10” at checkout, you will receive an extra 10% off – making your purchase 30% off! The sale is valid thru this Friday April 5! If you need a closer look at anything, please utilize my instagram story highlights where I have “SJ Try On 1”, “SJ Try On 2”, and “SJ Try On 3” saved for y’all!
I’m sharing some of my favorites that are currently still in stock on the site below. Use my code “Randa10” and enjoy extra savings ALWAYS at www.SouthernJewlz.com! Everything that I’m wearing below is a size small.
Cheetah Body Suit – Use code “Randa10 at Checkout for Extra Savings! – ONLY $16.80
Cheetah Body Suit – Use code “Randa10 at Checkout for Extra Savings! – Under $20!White Jeans Only Under $30 with discount code “Randa10”
These pink and purple rompers are less than $25 with discount code “Randa10” at checkout!
This keyhole jumpsuit (ALSO COMES IN BLACK) is less than $30 with coupon code “Randa10” at checkout!
This floral maxi is Under $40 with code “Randa10” at checkout!
This high waisted royal blue bikini set is so cute! Under $40 with code “Randa10” at checkout!
This ruffle strapless lavender dress is $35 with my discount code “Randa10”
This open back floral jumpsuit is a show stopper! Less than $40 with code “Randa10” at checkout!
Super cute of the shoulder denim ruffle top with vertical stripes! Under $25 with code “Randa10”
This top is under $35 and the snakeskin pants are under $30 with my code “Randa10” at checkout!
This little denim ruffled dress is under $35 with code “Randa10” at checkout!
Olive Green Romper Under $25 with code “Randa10” at checkout!
Happy Shopping everyone!
xo,
Wow! Way to sound and seem super annoyed while talking down and making people feel like idiots. People don’t read word for word online. They skim. Maybe you should do a better job of marketing or do an instaTV navigational tutorial. Not all apps and websites are the same. Oh and welcome to working with the public. It’s really inevitable. Just put on your big girl panties, suck it up, smile, play nice and answer those repetitive questions sugarbutt. I can see why you don’t ve kids now LoL!!
Not sure how anything about my blog has anything to do with why I don’t have children?
Tammie,
I always get so disheartened when women aren’t each other’s biggest advocates, and this is unfortunately an example of diminishing a strong woman’s right to speak her mind and set her own boundaries.
At no point ever does someone have to “suck it up”, “put on your big girl panties”, or “answer those repetitive questions sugarbutt”. Every human being can set their personal boundaries regardless of their public standing. A great example of this is when people expect celebrities to suck it up and accept the publicity. No. Never. Your life.
Standing up for yourself is a strength beyond belief and speaking out about it, is even stronger.
Keep shining Randa!
Thanks for reading along and adding to the convo! I genuinely appreciate it!
Thank you for taking the time to explain so clearly why answering questions (questions literally answered consistently on insta posts AND stories) like this is not only frustrating but detrimental to those in the community that have true questions. I applaud your transparency and your attempt to level as a human being and not an influencer robot.
I think an important thing to point out here are those who get offended and ugly by this are probably the people who don’t seem to want to just…read…????. Thank you for clearly and respectfully explaining your side of things and what you need to do to continue helping this community flourish.
You being up a great point in saying it makes it harder to me to focus my time and energy on the people in this community with true questions! Thanks for reading and following along!
Always so tactful in the way you relay info! Great blog and I hope you get ALL the self care you need in order to continue to be the transparent,
motivational, & positive woman you are!! You’re a rockstar!! ❤????
Thank you for reading and following along!
Before you ever expressed the repetitive questions, I thought to myself… wow, how on earth does she PERSONALLY keep up with all of these questions and comments. Even early on in your Powher.fit journey, I remember messaging you with a question and being so amazed by how you quickly responded & kept up with the large amount of messages hitting your inbox through the process. You’re an entrepreneur… trial and error if every bit of perfect when starting up a business like this. I hate to know that someone would compare having children to this process!! Keep up the hard work!
You bringg up a good point with the word PERSONALLY! I am talking about my PERSONAL Instagram here. All inquiries on business and personal social media and emails are always responded to, but I will now be having more of an automated redundant answer directing these questions to the business page FAQ – I’m just saying I am having to take my PERSONAL touch out of these types of questions!
Tammie
Wow. Maybe the first pair of big girl panties that should be put on is yours, and how awful of you to bring up children not knowing anything about Randa. More people should be like Randa and realize they need boundaries!
Everyone needs different boundaries to keep trucking along!!!
So well written! Professional and personal. You’ve been so great about responses and never cease to amaze me. ❤️
#positivepowher
Thanks for reading!
Any business needs exceptional customer service to be successful (among other things). If replying to direct messages is too much of a task for you or your team, that’s a problem in itself. No successful company or brand puts out a memo to all employees and customers saything “please don’t ask these questions, were are tired of answering them!”… I can understand how it is repetitive and actual work to reply to direct messages, but from a business perspective, these are potential customers and you are telling the to not engage with you with questions. I would say not the best move. Customers and their experiences drive a business! Just a thought from a fellow business Aggie. It’s all love!
I’m not saying it’s too much work, to not ask the questions or that we aren’t answering them. I’m saying these questions will now be answered in a more automated way, taking my personal touch out. I’m also saying that to be successful on a fitness journey takes effort and constant determination on the client’s side as well. Thanks for adding to the convo!
I’m also saying these questions will be sent a link to our business website FAQ to read for themselves! ????
Also note that I am speaking about my PERSONAL Instagram and having to take the personal touch off of answering these types of questions! All inquiries made on my business and personal social media and emails are ALWAYS answered, I’m just giving everyone a heads up as to why simple FAQ type questions will now be getting more of an automated response, when up to this point it has always come with a very personal touch from my personal Instagram! ????
Randa,
I’m an avid follower of yours and have been trying to interact more with your posts. You’ve done a wonderful job marketing for not only the fitness app, but for all of your endeavors. Leaving your personal touch and doing your absolute best to share every detail of information with your followers is why everyone enjoys following you. I am not even the one who has to answer the questions, but yet I’ve caught myself getting annoyed with the redundancy of questions that you constantly share the answers to rather it be on your story or in a post. I guess my frustration comes from the lack of effort (also seen as laziness to me) on their part. Being a determined individual I was taught to find the answers on your own… and with the amount of information you put out there for us, it’s not hard to find at all! You have the right to put up these boundaries, and if SOMEONE has an issue with it they must be one of the ones that enjoys short cuts and doesn’t feel the need to find answers on their own. Keep shining sweet girl! You’ve got way more followers than haters behind you.
Living for the personal boundaries!!! You can only pour so much from an empty cup.
And clearlyyyy this person doesn’t know about your 2 children Bucky & Barbie ????????♀️
Totally agree with some of these ladies! There are only so many times you can say, yes we have an at home program before it’s just like DUDE CAN YOU NOT READ??? ????????
Some of this can be attributed to “growing pains” as you expand your business. I think we all love that you do respond and interact with your followers. But now that you’ve launched into a bigger platform there simply isn’t time to answer everyone’s questions by you personally. The business questions will be answered with FAQ or another means. I’m sure you’ll still remain active on your personal account. We all have to draw boundaries or we may find ourselves in an unhappy place personally. Totally get it. ????????????
I would totally agree it’s a growing pain!!! A blessing to have! I love being able to take my readers and followers along with me through every step of the way – the good, the bad, the hard, and the evolving! Thanks for joining the convo and reading along!!!
Tammie, you are clearly as a ignorant as you are arrogant. You clearly “skimmed” and pieced together a few words that made you feel justified in sending your abusive, disparaging, repugnant remarks to someone who diligently treats every person with whom she interacts with kindness, grace and courtesy. Next time you feel the need to project your insecurities and inner demons onto someone you envy, pay attention to the actual context. It might spare you from making a complete fool of yourself.
It makes me sick that one of the first condescending insults terrible people who happen to be parents love to say to someone they are obviously intimidated by is “you obviously aren’t a parent”. As a husband and a father, let me say that NOTHING gives you the right to blame someone else for YOUR problems, much less assume it’s because you have children and they don’t.
Randa is working her a$$ off for both PowHer.Fit and her fashion line, not including the businesses she partners with or the social community she supports (which is CLEARLY from this conversation a stressful job in itself). I can assure you all that she is aware that if these questions keep popping up, something needs to be changed in the product/service to make it self explainable. She is busting her butt to make improvements to her products and services every single day, but just as her hours in the day are limited to accomplishing only so much, so it is with web development and any business product or service. Give her half the patience she gives all her followers and I guarantee we will never need to have these contentious conversations again.
Tammie,
Wow. What a very tacky and inconsiderate thing to say! You have no idea what her story is and making comments about someone not having kids is a punch below the belt!
And as far as the fitness program..I’ve been to the website once and haven seen post about it but NOT something I’ve actively looked into and I know you can do workout outs at home! So I can totally see the frustration with that repetitive question!