Welcome to the Get Gutsy interview series! Each month, I interview people who are getting gutsy– stepping outside their comfort zones to reach their goals and live a life that makes them truly happy.

Click here to read past Get Gutsy interviews.

Today, I’m excited to introduce you to a woman who inspires me to no end, Cristina Roman.

Here’s a quick story about me and Cristina:

In the summer of 2013, I received an email from a woman named Cristina. It was essentially just a cold networking email simply connecting and getting to know one another since we moved about in similar online communities. A week after that email exchange, Cristina emailed me again and told me about a new business she was launching, One Woman Shop. From there, we became fast friends online, supporting one another’s projects. Lately, I’ve been so inspired by how quickly One Woman Shop took off and Cristina’s recent move to Central America.

I hope Cristina’s story inspires you, too. Here we go!

1. Could you please give us your best Twitter-style introduction? (140 characters or less!).

Non-southern NC girl exploring Central America. @onewomanshop founder, coffee drinker, and perpetual self-improver. Always evolving.

2. Tell us about how you are getting gutsy.

I try to get gutsy in little ways every day, but two big things stick out to me. I was laid off back in 2011, so I blogged about the experience and used the traction from that blog post to jump-start my own business. That business then inspired One Woman Shop, a resource hub and community for female solo business owners. Co-running the community requires me to get gutsy every day because without constant innovation- both big and small- the site would fail.

I also recently decided to put everything into a storage unit and head to Central America on my own! My planned 3-month trip has now been 5 months and I’m still going strong. While here, I’ve been gutsy by staying with a homestay family, making friends with people who only speak Spanish, trying blood sausage, inviting myself to hang out with other travelers and most importantly, dancing salsa and bachata in front of other real live human beings! 🙂

3. As a new member of the One Woman Shop community (and long-time lurker), I can attest to the amazing things you’re doing there. Can you tell us more about the community?

Aw, thank you! One Woman Shop is a resource hub and community specifically for female solopreneurs that I run with my awesome business partner Sara Frandina. We launched a paid membership component of the site back in July– our members get access to a variety of additional resources to help support and grow their solo businesses, including a private Facebook group, e-courses, a listing in our directory, ad space and Google Hangouts with business experts.

4. Okay, wow! You extended your three month planned trip and have been abroad for five months? What has living abroad taught you…and what do you love the most about it?

I learned that I really love Central America and traveling very slowly to get to know places more, so here I am still. I have learned SO much– to keep things in perspective, to recognize and appreciate both similarities and differences across cultures, to put myself out there more, to enjoy the lightness of having just a few possessions with me, to make new friends but keep the old (I think they made a song about that? Haha). My favorite parts are meeting like-minded people from all the world, engaging with locals, knowing all of the Latin songs out at bars and restaurants, saving money, learning Spanish slang and observing the ins and outs of the different cultures I get to see.

5. I’m sure there have been many challenges along the way in starting a brand new community and leaving the U.S. to live abroad. What’s your approach to tackling setbacks?

I’m not quite sure how, but I’ve learned to calm the heck down! Reading 10% Happier and The Power of Now, as well as practicing meditation, have helped a lot. In the past, I would have obsessed for hours- whether or not there was actually anything I could do in a given situation- but now I’ve started asking myself “Is this helpful?” when I notice myself going in silly thought circles in my mind. I’ve learned to continue being proactive when I can and moving on when there’s nothing I can do in a given situation.

6. With so much on your plate between running a community and living abroad, what do you do to unwind?

I’ve learned it’s important to allow myself to chill and not feel too much pressure to maximize every single minute while traveling. I’ve read more in the past 5 months than in the past 5 years combined probably (though nothing of note– I have terrible taste in books haha). I’ve started lifting weights and going to Zumba classes and sometimes I hang out and drink a Corona or three with new travel friends, swim in the hostel pools or write updates to my friends and family. I used to do yoga, blog and cook to unwind, but those things are currently on the backburner!

7. On the opposite end of unwinding, have any favorite tools or resources for productivity and time management?

One of my favorite topics 🙂 I love Evernote, FollowerWonk, Boomerang, Click to Tweet, Feedly and Rapportive and use them all almost every day.

8. What one piece of advice would you give to someone who wants to follow your path in starting their own business or moving to a new country?

Cultivate resourcefulness. I can almost guarantee that you’re not the first person to attempt something, so seek wisdom from those who have gone before you. Ask your network or Google like crazy– whatever it takes to connect with resources and individuals who can ease your stress and get you moving (literally or figuratively!).

9. What does your life look like five years from now? More importantly, how do you hope to feel?

I love the second part of the question here! Since I’ve been traveling, I’ve felt a deep sense of calm and contentedness that I intend to keep with me forever– here’s hoping 🙂 I’d love to feel inspired, motivated, and productive, but in a less frenzied way that I used to be.

I imagine I’ll be living a relatively simple life in the States or abroad- running a business, drinking lots of coffee and surrounded by inspiring, loving people from all different cultures.

10. What does getting gutsy mean to you?

To me, getting gutsy means getting really darn comfortable doing things on your own terms. Life is not one-size-fits-all. One person’s version of “getting gutsy” might be the easiest thing in the world to someone else, but it doesn’t matter- if you think it’s gutsy, it is!

Want to connect with Cristina?

Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // One Woman Shop

Know someone you think I should chat with for the Get Gutsy interview series? I’d love to hear about them! Let me know in the comments below!

Want more gutsy content delivered straight to your inbox twice a month? Be sure to sign up for my FREE #GetGutsy e-newsletter filled with inspiration, ideas and action items to get out of your comfort zone. When you sign up, you’ll also be sent a FREE copy of the Get Gutsy ebook, filled with 19 inspirational stories to help you get gutsy.