This Nurse Has the Secret Cocktail for Starting a CNA School - Ep. 68
Victoria Randle is a nurse entrepreneur who came from very humble beginnings. At the age of 15 she witnessed the murder of her own mother and become orphaned. Struggling to graduate high school while working fulltime and living on her own by the age of 16, Victoria made a way out of no way.
After enrolling in night school, Victoria was able to graduate high school and moved from Indiana to Georgia at the age of 19 on her own. Unsure where life was leading, she became a CNA to help make ends meet. Excelling in her chosen career, she enrolled in college by the age of 23 to become a registered nurse. Three degrees later, Victoria is now a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner giving her the ability to provide Georgian’s with access to healthcare.
For years Victoria always had the desire to start her own entrepreneurial endeavor but without any guidance felt very defeated. With perseverance and sleepless nights of research, she finally started the nonprofit organization New Beginnings Career Center in 2015, an education center devoted to helping other with similar stories obtain education.
Victoria is also the CEO of The Secret Cocktail® founded in 2018. The Secret Cocktail® is a business consulting firm that helps entrepreneurs develop nurse aide training schools in all 50 states. In the past 3 years Victoria has been able to grow this company to national recognition touching over 100 CNA Schools in the United States. The Secret Cocktail® was recently welcomed in the prestigious Atlanta WEI program overseen my Madam Major Keisha Lance-Bottom.
Becoming a CNA was the foundation for Victoria’s new life and this company has enable to her to bring everything back full circle. By empowering other entrepreneurs with the knowledge they need to be successful and helping to develop CNA’s all over the nation, Victoria is finally living in her purpose.
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TRANSCRIPT:
Naseema McElroy: [00:00:00] All right, Nurses on Fire. I am super juiced to be joined by Victoria Randle of The Secret Cocktail. Hey Victoria.
Victoria Randle: [00:00:10] Good morning.
Naseema McElroy: [00:00:11] Hey. Hey. So I am really excited to learn more about your story. And super excited to announce that you will be taking over my Instagram and Facebook pages all of next week.
After this show airs, you guys are listening to this alive when it airs Thursday, October 22nd. the following Monday through Friday, so the October 26th or 30th Victoria is going to be taking over my page. And so I just wanted to. Beforehand, let you guys get it. Sneak peek into who Victoria is, what our company does because, you have nurses out there are like really in for a treat.
So Victoria, let's talk about your nursing origin story. How did you become a nurse?
Victoria Randle: [00:01:02] It was solely by accident. It really was. I'm kind of embarrassed to say that sometimes, because as much as I love nursing, it's like, how did I accidentally fall into this? but it was truly by accident. I started as a CNA and, You know, just kind of a friend was a receptionist at a nursing home and I really needed a job.
And she's like, you know, you can come work here. I think they're hiring. And I literally went and took the job as an unofficial CNA. And I absolutely fell in love with it. I mean, talking to residents, hearing their stories, being there for them at a time of need, I think because maybe I was in a place in my life where I was in need.
We both fulfilled each other. And so I just fell in love with it. Honestly from there.
Naseema McElroy: [00:01:51] Wow. So now you're a family nurse practitioner. Talk to us about that journey of going from okay. Accidentally stumbling into the field of nursing to becoming a family nurse practitioner.
Victoria Randle: [00:02:02] I know that's crazy. Right? So like, but that just shows the love for it.
Like, you know, one minute I'm a CNA. I did that for seven years and nurses were constantly Victoria, you should become a nurse, you should become a nurse. And I'm like, okay, but I don't even know how to do that. Like, how do you become a nurse? And I was at a point in my life where I didn't even understand the difference between an associate's.
Versus a bachelor's versus a master's let alone become a nurse. So, I just kinda like walked into a college, said, Hey, I heard you have a nursing program. I'm like, how can I be down? This is what I think I'm supposed to be doing. And they were like, okay, so turn around and go find a computer can sign up that way.
And so anyway,long story short, I ended up enrolling into a ADN program. And it was a hundred of us and only 30 of us made it out. I know many of us can, attest to those stories. I was a nurse for eight years, a registered nurse, and I think five years in, I went back and got my bachelor's because, I started moving up the chain really quickly and I started.
First off in like longterm acute care, but like vent management and wound management. And I started within three years, I was the house supervisor for the facility. And, but you know how that is a nursing, like when you're good at nursing, you get promoted really quickly,
Naseema McElroy: [00:03:30] really fast. Yep.
Victoria Randle: [00:03:33] Yeah. They're like you have a pulse you're a great takeover so I went on ahead and kind of took over that position and after that ended up taking over a 75 bed med surge unit as the assistant nurse manager.
Naseema McElroy: [00:03:46] Wow.
Victoria Randle: [00:03:47] But that's when they were like, hold on, you don't even have your bachelor's like, you got to go get your bachelor's and then you can have this position.
Naseema McElroy: [00:03:54] JCAHO must've been come in,
Victoria Randle: [00:04:01] they figured out real quick. So I had to go back, get my bachelor's or at least say I was in school for my bachelor's, which I did. and then I realized. I'm not a do girl. it was a really good experience in terms of learning about management. And it's definitely helped me in my entrepreneurship journey for sure.
And I didn't even know that it was going to help me at that time. But, I wasn't a do girl. I was all about advocating for my staff and advocating for my patients. And sometimes when you're in a mid level manager, you can't do that. You gotta shut up and do what they tell you to do.
Naseema McElroy: [00:04:35] I love that way. I want to go and to stop there because AI love what you said.
Like I'm not a do girl and I, a hundred percent. I feel you because I'm one of those kinds of people. I actually came into nursing with the healthcare administration background. So I went into, I was a manager for five years with a master's in healthcare administration then went back to school to be a nurse.
So not only was I a good nurse, but I already had the background and the degree. So. Everybody is always like, Oh, you should be a manager. You should be doing this. I'm like, that's exactly why I went to nursing school because that's not what I want to do. I understood that from the beginning. So I love, and I a hundred percent feel you, when you say that's not you because I'm right there with you, but I love how you use that experience to transition into your entrepreneurial journey.
Victoria Randle: [00:05:25] Yeah. I mean, I used it in, in terms of, and I, and that's hilarious. Think about what your future endeavors are and then place yourself in a position so that you can prepare for that. Now, although I did that accidentally, okay. I'm not going to sit here and act like that was all by purpose, but, It really helped me because it helped me see what to do and what not to do as a leader.
It helped me learn about budgeting. It helped me learn about staff development and all of that, and, so I'm very thankful for that experience, but I had to get out of there because yeah, it wasn't working. So I was like, okay, well, what can I do to get out of here? So I really miss my patients and I hate how they always talk about how, , physician didn't tell him this physician.
Didn't tell them that. So, you know, as a nurse, this is what I do. I educate, let me merge the two. So I went back and became a FNP and I've been going for five years now and absolutely love it. Absolutely love it. But, something else was calling. Something else was calling and that's something else was giving back and finding another little Victoria out there in the world and helping her out of her bad situation so that she can enter a field that can help her. Flourish. And so I thought, Hmm, I could do that with my own CNA school because that's where I began as a CNA.
Naseema McElroy: [00:06:50] Wait, I love it. So before we jump into, this new venture, I want to talk about where you were at, like that little Victoria that stumbled on to the CNA job and you going through a lot of pain, like what happened in your life?
Victoria Randle: [00:07:07] Well, so I grew up in like a small town girl, if you will, call Fort Wayne, Indiana. many people probably have not even heard of it, but yeah. for those of you who have ever familiar with that area, we're like three hours from Chicago. not far. And it was just, it's a different world. different world is all I can say kind of you don't have, I didn't have any aspirations, never thought about going to college ever in my life.
That was not even an option. An option was just surviving. maybe getting a, a job at one of the, you know, factories at a GM plant or something like that. And that was going to be the end of the life. You know, that's just what you do. And so, I'm like there has to be something more, but I really didn't get a wake up call about that until my mom was killed.
My mom was killed when I was 15 and that's when I kinda realized, like, I can't be here anymore. You know, this, it was just, hell it was hell. So growing up after my mom passed away, I, I essentially was orphaned. No one took me in and I pretty much, ain't no pretty much, I raised myself.
Naseema McElroy: [00:08:16] Wow. Wow. So you literally started from nothing like having to raise yourself as a teenager, stumbling into this position, becoming. A nurse all the way through, your, FNP. And then now you're like this big time entrepreneur, but you started from literally nothing like you are amazing. Wow.
Victoria Randle: [00:08:44] No, thank you.
Honestly. I think that that's what keeps. Me driven, you know, is that fact that I did come from absolutely nothing. Literally. I remember working at a chicken place called Lee's famous recipe, and I was like a $5 and 15 cents an hour. It was my junior year in high school, and I couldn't even go to her because I had to work all day.
I had to work all day and I had to drop out now and enroll in an adult program where you go to school at night with the adults who are trying to go back and get their GDS and stuff. But this was an actual high school program. So I still get my diploma, but needless to say, I remember working 40 hour weeks go on to school at night.
All at the age of 16, so that I could still graduate with my high school diploma, but struggling. Like I couldn't even get a place because I wasn't 18, no one would let me sign a lease. So I'm one of the girls at the chicken place. Amy was her name and I hope she hears this. Amy understood what I was going through and actually signed a lease in her name so that I could have a place to stay.
Forever indebted to Amy for that. because she saved me from being in the streets, you know,
Naseema McElroy: [00:09:56] good lord like a total, like a stranger. She didn't have to do anything, right?
Victoria Randle: [00:10:03] No, I mean, I could have ruined her credit, you know, all kinds of stuff, but I guess she saw, yeah, she saw me the grind that I had and trusted and believed in me and thank God that she did.
So, So yeah. You know, going from that to where I am now, you're right. Like, it's, it's a big wow factor.
Naseema McElroy: [00:10:22] Wow. Wow. I'm like, woo. Really, really taken aback. And then, you know, sorry about how you happen to lose your mom so early, but it's not only that it's, that you lost your mom and that you lost everything along with your mom.
So it's not even, I mean like most people can't even imagine that tragedy. That's so early in life, but then to like, not have any family to turn to or anything like that is a lot for a 15 year old like, wow. But yeah, still preserved and that's, what's so admirable about you. So now you created this business to pour back into people who.
We're in that same position as you, and that's even more admirable. I mean, like, that's just amazing. So let's talk about this business that you formed with your CNA schools.
Victoria Randle: [00:11:19] So initially I started my own, CNA school. I'm located in Georgia, so it was Cobb County, Georgia, and it, it, it was hell that was hell. I'm trying to even get it started. It was like, now, how do you do this? and it took me two years even do it like, but I was, so it was like, it was stuck in my head that I have to do this.
And if I don't do it, then I'm not. I'm not achieving the goal. I was meant to achieve here on earth. Like I'm supposed to be touching someone's life. And if I don't complete this task, I'm not going to touch who it is I'm supposed to touch. So because of that, I just could not stop. I mean, I was dreaming day and night about this school, but I didn't know how to make it happen.
And I just spent, you know, nights after night, like I said, so probably about a year straight, just researching. And then the second year really trying. And to implement it. And then finally in 2015, I figured it out and I finally got approved and got my own CNA school. Yeah. Running and. So excited at that point.
I mean, and then I finally got a chance to touch a lot of women's lives in the two years that I was operating. And it was an awesome experience. Everything I thought it would definitely be.
Naseema McElroy: [00:12:30] So, wait while you're, while you're doing this school, are you working as an RN? Are you working as a FMP? Like, what are you doing?
Victoria Randle: [00:12:37] I had just graduated from FNP school as soon as I got the school approved. So I'm, I was working part time as an FNP and then running my school. You know, on during the other hours.
Naseema McElroy: [00:12:49] So while you were studying to be an FNP, you were also studying to build a school.
Victoria Randle: [00:12:53] Correct.
Naseema McElroy: [00:12:57] I just didn't want to brush past that because that's crazy.
Victoria Randle: [00:13:00] Yeah. So with the school, what I was going to say was, you know, You think sometimes we touch lives and we don't even know that we're touching them, you know? And you won't know until that person reaches back or, you know, it says something or does something years later.
And sometimes we don't even know, you know, sometimes you can be working so hard and you can be touching lives and inspiring others. And you have no idea. You know, so I say all that to say, like, just be encouraged, always work off of what, you know, your heart is telling you to do and not off of the app, the admiration other people give you for it because you've touched someone's life and you don't even know it.
Yeah. And I can remember students reaching back out that I didn't even realize I made a Mark on, you know, well, after they graduated to tell me how much their lives had changed. And I had no idea cause we didn't really connect or at least I didn't feel that connected with them in that moment. But apparently I did more than I even knew.
Naseema McElroy: [00:13:55] Yes. Yes. Yes. That's why it's important to also just share your story because you just don't know how many people need to hear even just this. So I can imagine what you're doing when you're actually providing these people a career. So that's amazing. That's amazing. So from starting your own CNA school initially, what has that turned into now?
Victoria Randle: [00:14:23] Well, you know, when, when people see that you've done something, of course, they're kind of reaching out like, well, how did you do that? You know? And so, in 2017 there was just this out, you know, people constantly, how do you do this? How did you start it? And the more you get into nurse entrepreneurship, the more you start meeting other nurse entrepreneurs or nurses who are aspiring to become a nurse entrepreneurs.
So, of course, I kind of got more in this network of people who thought like me and wanted to do things like me. And so as I immerse myself into this network, I was constantly helping people. And I said, you know what? I'm getting like a lot of the same questions and a lot of the, do you know what? Maybe I can just build a YouTube channel that will like answer people's questions because this is being a little time consuming and I can't help everyone the way I want to let me build this YouTube channel.
So I built this YouTube channel and I started like answering questions and I promise you, it felt like overnight the YouTube channel blew up. so the YouTube channel is called The Secret Cocktail and, I went live a few times or I will upload videos and it's like, they would just get shared and people would be emailing me left and right.
And then that's when it dawned on me. Hold on. This is a business. I started from helping, but like, you can really actually make a real deal business out of this. And not only that, but you're not just halfway home. When people, you really help them because what people don't understand is when you are engulfed in a business, you don't really have time to get to answer everyone's questions and give them your all.
And I'm gonna tell you right now, starting a CNA school is not a one hour conversation. . So with my consulting company, I'm able to give people my all, you know, and, and help them from beginning to end, with their journey as well.
Naseema McElroy: [00:16:13] So the secret cocktail turned from a YouTube channel to now a consulting business where you help other people start their own CNA schools
Victoria Randle: [00:16:21] correct. But see what I didn't realize at that time when I started my CNA, my YouTube channel, what I didn't understand was that YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world. And so I had no idea. I was placing content in an area that people all over could, would be searching right there for it.
You know? And I mean, to this day, I have people reaching out from Africa. I mean, from all over wanting this information and trying to figure out how to do this.
Naseema McElroy: [00:16:54] Yeah, it's so needed. It's so needed. I think it comes from a place where like, nurses are in a position where they want to transition into entrepreneurialship.
And so they're trying to figure out the path to do so. I know, like that's my biggest question is usually like, what can I do outside of nursing? That's nurse related that. I can do like as a business. And so I know people are searching for this information, like everywhere. So yeah. I mean, you, you hit like the jackpot by putting your content right.
Where people needed it. And so that was very smart. Even if it wasn't strategic, it was very, very smart.
Victoria Randle: [00:17:33] Yeah. It wasn't strategic. Now that I've learned like you do, what you have to do is when you do something, you see the results of it. You have to analyze those results and figure out why. And then as you start figuring it out, you can start reverse engineering things from there.
So now everything that I'm thinking about doing, I've learned that I need to initially figure out what the end result is or the, in the goal, and then reverse everything from there. And so I'm now because again, I mean, I think I would, I don't know, I'm kind of nerdy about certain things. Something is interesting to me.
I never stop until I figure it out. That's just been me. So now this world of marketing and business and entrepreneurship is like this big, giant book of empty pages that I'm just trying to feel for myself. You know? So it's been fun. This has been fun.
Naseema McElroy: [00:18:29] So from going from making five, 15 an hour to where you are right now, how do you think your financial journey has changed?
Victoria Randle: [00:18:41] Oh, my gosh. I mean, like you said, five 15, my first job as a CNA, I was making 10. Then my first job as an RN, I made 22. And then my first job as an NP, I made. 40 40 something. It wasn't good. It wasn't good. I mean, it was good. It was good though. I'm like, let's not get it twisted, but in terms of nurse practitioners and what we really should be compensated it wasn't great.
But I think, I think it was 39 or 40 on the dot. And then by the time I left because I no longer work as NP anymore actively. but by the time I left, I was making 65 an hour. So, and I left that without even blinking my eye
so, to be in a position where I'm ha I have a company that I get to bring to the table. Cause for now, like now for me is even bigger. So now I get to help other nurses become entrepreneurs and help them navigate the entrepreneurship journey, which was something I had a hard time doing. And then I get to help them create CNAs, not just here in Cobb County, Georgia, but across the USA.
So I get to help create more little Victoria's if you will, and more than just my area, but all over the nation. And then on top of that, those CNAs get to go out and touch people's lives and help them in their time of need. Like my mind is blown, just saying. I never imagined that I would be able to do that and have that kind of impact and still live comfortably.
Naseema McElroy: [00:20:27] Yes. And the impact like you mentioned is exponential because you're here enabling people who are opening CNA schools to have financial freedoms, then. These CNAs are now getting into a position where they can start building that can lead them to have financial freedom, but it's not even just like people think that financial freedom is, like some number or some goal, but it's really about.
Levels is really about the freedoms that you get to unlock along the way. like you, you couldn't even get an apartment, right. once you get to a place where you're not just like check to check, once you get to a place where. you're debt free. , those are all levels of financial freedom. And just because somebody might not necessarily be like a millionaire or something, if you're able to give them financial stability, it helps them grow and then helps other people grow. So I think what you're doing is phenomenal and the impact.
Is so large and it just started off from you literally, literally having nothing. And I think you're a genius. Cause you have to be in order to preservere and do the things that you have done. So like when you say you're nerdy, you have to be because you came so far. And, it might've just started off as a survival mechanism, but it really shows like your level of intelligence, you know, like you are really, really smart. And so I want to commend you on that and I don't want you to downplay it because you have to be in order to be in that position, but I want you to just like, here's how I've had on the back, because you are doing some amazing things. Not only just here, not only in your County, but throughout the world. And so that's why I'm excited to share you with the community because I just. See the impact that you have and how so many people, even if they haven't even worked with, you can still like benefit from what you have.
And I just think this is the beginning. And so I'm really, really excited for where your journey is going as well. Well,
Victoria Randle: [00:22:37] thank you. It's funny because I mean, I'll take the intelligent, I'll take the genius comment, but I don't, I never feel that way. I always feel like I don't, I always feel like it's, so it's so much harder for me to get things or to understand things.
And I have to study 12 times harder than everyone else and, and things just don't pop in my brain. I have to really like sit down and think through them four or five different times. And, But I guess that's what maybe sets me apart from some people, because some people aren't willing to do that. yeah.
You know, So I don't, I mean, I don't think that if that's the case, that anybody can be a genius, you know, it's just a matter of pushing yourself past your limits is what it is.
Naseema McElroy: [00:23:20] But you know, you say that, but you are willing to do the hard work. And that's what matters. And that's like the difference between, you know, people who are really, really just naturally smart and people that are successful.
most people that are successful, aren't like natural born, like geniuses. They're the people that are just willing to preservere learn the lessons and grow along the way. And I think that that speaks to a testimony of like, Who you are. So, I mean, like, even if you're not like textbook genius, I think that the genius is in the fact that you were able to get things done.
So let's, share with the community, like what's next for you? What's going on? How can people work with you? Get in contact with you.
Victoria Randle: [00:24:08] Well, what's next for the Secret Cocktail blows my mind every time I think about it, because one moment I think the Secret Cocktail is going in one direction and then something shows me that we're going in a totally different one.
And, so, you know, in business you have your goals, but then things come up and so you have two options when things come up, it's either. That is going to get in the way of what I'm supposed to be doing, or I need to be flexible and say, wow, this is really a great opportunity. And I don't want to miss out on it.
And maybe I should pivot some things. Right. So right now I'm kind of in this pivoting, like, wow, I didn't see that coming. And I really need to pivot to this. and an example of that is, we just got certified. To conduct, what's called a train to CNA trainer, and it is a certification course that has to be taken in many States, in order to become a CNA instructor period.
what a lot of people don't know is that CNA schools are federally regulated. And so with that being said, there's a lot of red tape and a lot of things you have to do because the federal government said so. And so one of those is train the CNA trainer. Now I do. That's what I do in my business. Right.
I teach people how to write curriculums. I teach them about regulations for their state. And so I'm like, this is what I was already doing. Let me just create a course out of it. because it's mandated by the federal government. Well, when I did that, I really didn't recognize that I was creating like this whole nother baby inside of the Secret Cocktail
so now, currently we are doing train the CNA trainer on a national level. And, I have a host of instructors that will be training other trainers at their respective CNA school locations. And so this is huge, very, very huge. And so we're getting ready to move forward with that. in addition to building some different online directories and platforms , just to help out the community, this is a very underserved community, not just CNAs, but even the instructors and the owners.
It's a very underserved community and, it's it's needed. And so they deserve the love and attention that they need to, to grow.
Naseema McElroy: [00:26:17] Just yes. Even more amazing, like all good stuff to come. And I love how the thing that you were doing already, you were able to pivot that into something that you can really, really help other people and become recognized and certified, like for it.
And that's amazing. So good. So good. So share with everybody what they can look forward to seeing, on your takeover next week.
Victoria Randle: [00:26:43] Oh, yes. Okay. So I'm excited about this take over because I'm always excited about taking the knowledge that I have and sharing as much of it as I possibly can, because I want other people to be successful too.
You know, we all have a story, you know, we all have a story. And so being able to make it out of that story, Whatever that story is and become something bigger or better is what I want all of us to achieve. And so that usually comes from achieving your goals. A lot of the goals are financial ones. So, I definitely want to, again, impart as much knowledge as I can, I have a series of, different tips and different tricks that I want to share with your audience.
So that they can understand how to grow their business. So this is definitely information that any business owner, no matter what business you're in can benefit from. and especially if you're a nurse entrepreneur, for sure, because again, so many of us don't realize the nursing knowledge you have. Is business.
Like it transitions into business in a way you don't even realize. And so just helping people to see that too is going to be my goal. I'm really excited about this take over out. So only you, I can't wait.
Naseema McElroy: [00:27:53] I can't wait either. I'm super excited cause I'd probably learn something. Well, not probably, I know I'll learn something too.
If you guys are listening live when this. Airs on October 22nd, make sure to tune in to my Facebook and Instagram accounts and all the links will be listed below if you're not already on the platforms. But, from October 26 through October 30th, Victoria will be taking over my platforms sharing her tips and tricks and encouraging.
All you entrepreneurs out there are people who are aspiring entrepreneurs. So, yeah, I'm super looking forward to it. I thank you so much for sharing your story. It is definitely an extraordinary one and, I'm just really, really looking forward to learning more from you.
Victoria Randle: [00:28:45] Thank you so much for the opportunity to share with your audience. I think that collaboration is so key and growth in, in business. And, anyone listening, I would encourage you to think about who you would want to collaborate with and don't be fearful, go for it. because collaboration is how people grow and you can't grow, keeping everything to yourself, contrary to what you may believe.
Naseema McElroy: [00:29:09] Exactly. Exactly collaboration is key to personal and business growth. So, yes, I appreciate you and I am looking forward to seeing you next week. Thanks, Victoria. Yeah.
Victoria Randle: [00:29:24] Awesome. Thank you so much.
Hey there I’m Naseema
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