Djanira CortesaoDjanira, tell me a bit about who you are and when you arrived to Barcelona?

I’ve been living in Barcelona for nearly four years now. I moved here from London where I grew up. My father is Brazilian and my mother is Chilean, so I spoke Spanish growing up which has obviously been incredibly useful since living here. My mother is an acupuncturist and I helped her set up the Barcelona Well Woman Clinic a couple of years ago and since then I’ve dedicated myself to helping therapists and other service professionals to grow their businesses and get more clients.

You’ve inspired me with how you have started 2011, can you share that with us and how does it feel?

I’ve had a chronic cough for about eight years and so I’m on a detox diet that I’m hoping will help to finally shift it. The diet is based on lots of fruit and vegetables – no animal products, gluten, sugar, alcohol or caffeine. Instead I start each day with green smoothies or green juices and then eat tons of veggies for the rest of the day. The detox also includes the mind and spirit so I’m meditating, spending time in nature, eating mindfully and sleeping at least 8 hours each day as well as having weekly massages and sauna visits. It’s been two weeks now and I’ve managed to stay on track with everything quite easily apart from the meditation which I find difficult to do each day.  I feel great, my skin is glowing and my cough has improved, so I’m very happy with the results.

Tell me about your work and what a day looks like?

I work from home mostly unless I’m giving workshops. I’m fairly sedentary as I spend most of my time at my computer working on client websites, course materials, preparing mentoring sessions, etc so I have to make an effort each day to get out of the house and move my body. I work out with Daniel Benites three times a week, including cardiobox sessions in the park which I absolutely love. I always feel great afterwards, incredibly energised and revived.

Sitting at a desk for most of the day gives you a tight back, neck and shoulders, how do you deal with that?

I’ve got some stretches that you gave me which I try to do each day. I also go to pilates twice a week with Zoe Queally, that has really helped as have the regular massages with you.

Living in Spain in 2011 and being an entrepreneur, how do you feel about that?

I’ve always wanted to work for myself but never had the guts to try. Coming to Barcelona and meeting so many expats with their own businesses was really inspirational. Once I’d helped my mum set up the clinic I realised that I could never go back to working for someone else. I love the freedom that I have, if its sunny and I want to go to the beach for a swim then I can, because I set my own hours.

What is the most important marketing tip that you can give us for 2011?

Consistent action is by far the best approach to marketing your business. I always recommend that people do a little and often in order to overcome the feast or famine cycle that many service professionals experience.

Where can we find you?

My website is www.djaniracortesao.com You can download a free guide to finding a niche that you love and I have a weekly newsletter packed with marketing tips, tools and ideas.