Today we’d like to introduce you to Darvanie Smith.
Hi Darvanie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have been a registered nurse for 4 years with 3 prior years of experience in healthcare. I always felt that as a registered nurse, there are only so many things you can do that are within your scope of practice. I decided to start my master’s program when I turned 22 to become a nurse practitioner since nurse practitioners can do more like prescribe and diagnose patients. Being one of the frontline nurses during the pandemic certainly made me burned out. I got tired of seeing my patients either die, go to ICU, and I felt like doctors weren’t listening to me. A lot of nurses left bedside nursing and the career as a whole; I did not want to do that. I am still passionate about nursing since I feel like it is my calling. Optimal Vibrance came about due to me wanting to be my own boss all while helping clients in their wellness journey.
Optimal Vibrance is a concierge IV hydration and wellness operation servicing central Florida. Clients can choose from my IV drip and injectable menu to help with certain issues they may have. For example, if someone is complaining of feeling tired and wants to get reenergized, I would recommend them selecting “The Bolt Drip” to help them get their energy levels back up. All of the drips are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that aid in wellness. When I hired a physician to work with me, her and I came up with the ingredients while she finalized the dosages, and I found that these were some of the items that were given to patients in the hospital. A lot of COVID patients, for example, received certain minerals and vitamins that are in some of my IV drips. What’s great about my services is that qualifying clients don’t have to worry about leaving their home, office, or hotel room. I literally come wherever they are. I bring luxury wellness to your doorsteps.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This has certainly been a bumpy road. Obtaining city licensing was one hassle that I got educated on through the process. Since my business is classified as medically invasive, there are a lot of steps that must be taken to ensure things are done correctly, legally, and safely. With this type of business, I have to have a doctor on board with me since they have prescriptive authority. That part of the journey was nerve wrecking. I remember posting the job on indeed and within 3 days, I already had 5 applicants, which to me, was a lot. The third hardest part of this journey was finding supply companies and compounding pharmacies. I wanted to make sure all clients who book with me receive hospital quality supplies, vitamins, and minerals. Researching pharmacies was the longest part of my journey because they also require you to submit forms from a medical doctor to ensure safety. There was a lot of back and forth, printing, and phone calls that have taken place over the past 3 months. Lastly, the hardest thing for me currently is marketing. Word of mouth is so powerful nowadays, but nobody knows who I am since I am a new business. There are also a lot of IV hydration businesses, so I am trying my best to stand out and allow clients to trust me with their care. Social media traffic is also something I am working on as well.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Right now, I am a registered nurse. I have worked on the step down ICU, neurology, stroke, medical surgical, COVID, and telemetry units. I have seen so many different patients at different points of their lives. One thing I can say is that I feel like nursing has always been my calling. I wasn’t your average child watching Dora the Explorer. I would watch ER and pregnancy documentaries on TLC back in the day. I knew I wanted to work in a hospital. Most patients that I have encountered have always held a special place in my heart just because I feel like they always commend me on advocating for them and taking care of them. I remember one time, at change of shift, I was getting ready to leave and the nurse leader said my patient was looking for me. He came out of his room just to give me a hug and thank me. It’s moments like those that make me feel like I’m walking in my purpose. The thing that sets me aside from others is the mark on my life. I have always been in tune with my faith, and I know God allows me to have patience, kindness, sympathy, and advocacy as soon as I clock in; my spirit takes over. I am not the most patient person outside of caring for others, so I know those gifts get activated by God when I’m caring for his people. I go above and beyond for my patients; I sneak them their favorite deserts through Doordash on their birthdays; I take the time to listen to their stories no matter how long they talk; most importantly, I treat them how I would want to be treated if it were me on that bed. That is what sets me apart from others.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality that is most important to success is determination and perseverance. Without those two things, you are bound to fail. You will not hear yes all the time. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard no. My mindset is that if I have seen others do it, it is possible, therefore, with determination and perseverance, I can turn that no into a yes.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.optimalvibrancewellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optimalvibrance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/optimalvibrance
Image Credits
www.primehealthmd.com
