As a Mommy-prenuer, I enjoy speaking with other women about their business ventures. Society may have you believe that there are not many of us around, but each day, a new business opened by a woman closes the gap on male entrepreneurs.
This week, I am spotlighting the wonderful Avalaura who is a Spiritual Healer and owns Avalaura’s Holistic Healing and Wellness Center. It was an honor having her take the time out of her busy schedule to speak to me.
A spiritual healer? Please explain to us what a spiritual healer is?
A Spiritual healer is one who uses the power of God, Allah, Universe, Source (whichever term you choose to use) to heal. The principle is as above, so below. Everything starts in the spiritual realm and manifests physically. Therefore in order to truly heal, you have to address the spiritual aspect of the disease or problem. I refer to myself as a holistic healer as one who addresses all aspects of a person mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
What are some of the services you offer?
Avalaura’s Healing Center integrates various spiritual and therapeutic modalities to customize a healing experience that is specific to an individual’s needs.
Services include Marabout Spiritual Healing, Spiritual Counseling, Life Coaching, Reiki Intuitive Healing, Dream Analysis, Cord Cutting, Hypnotherapy, and Chakra.
Workshops include Reiki Training, Yoga, Meditation, Spiritual Development, Introduction to Crystal Healing and more.
What attracted to you to get into your profession?
My work is a calling, it is my purpose for being, the work I was born to do. People do not decide to be healers, they are born to be healers. I simply answered the calling.
How did you start your business? How long has it been in existence?
My business started with a vision I had in November of 2004. I created a vision board based on the vision and I opened exactly a year later in November 2005. I worked on myself personally and professionally and received all the necessary training and certifications I needed to practice the various aspects of healing I wanted to practice. After locating and renovating the perfect space, I opened my doors to the public.
What brings you the most joy about having your own business?
My business is an extension of who I am. I love the freedom of being able to help people in the way that is best suited for them. Most of all I love seeing my clients grow. I love hearing their stories and being apart of their lives as they change, live their dreams and experience happiness. It’s a reciprocal relationship, my clients allow me to live my dreams by doing the work I’m most passionate about.
What would you say the one biggest roadblock has been to starting a business?
As with most businesses cash flow is generally an issue. Fortunately my overhead is lower than most businesses since I don’t pay for office space. However I do spend a lot of time, energy and money into education, marketing and advertising.
Having a consistent flow of clients is necessary to the financial success of my business. I do not accept health insurance, although health insurance does not cover most of the services I offer. People have to be motivated to seek out my services and spend money on their health and well being. While most people see the need for the services I offer, they do not include them in their budget or make them a priority until they experience a personal crisis where it becomes clear they need professional help. I would love for people to focus on prevention and make their health and overall well being a priority.
How do you reach out to prospective clients?
Education, advertising and marketing are a major aspect of my business. I network and establish relationships with people who can provide referrals. I have an active website and attract many clients online. I use social networking such as Twitter, Facebook and Myspace to my advantage in addition to maintaining repeat customers and word of mouth referrals.
What’s a day in your life like?
Part of the beauty of my work is that there is no typical day. Since I offer a variety of services, I can assist people with several different aspects of healing in one day. I generally spend most of my day seeing clients, writing or working on upcoming classes, answering phone calls and being online answering emails, updating my website and using social networking. I also balance my day with daily spiritual practices of prayer, meditation, exercise and yoga or chi gung to keep me grounded, clear and healthy so that I can continue to do my work effectively.
What advice would you give to those who are starting their own businesses?
The advice I offer is to do something that you love and the money will follow. Do not start a business for money only. While owning a business has many rewards, it is not for everyone. Being a business owner takes a lot of hard work, skill, energy, money and dedication. You have to be disciplined and believe in the work you do. One of the most important things to realize is that your business is a reflection of who you are. Do your soul searching and inner work and access your strengths and limitations before you start a business. Most of all, have fun and enjoy the journey.
What brings you the most joy?
Being able to earn a living while doing the work I love most; work I would do for free.
Where would you like to be in the next ten years?
I plan to do more teaching and speaking engagements. I have a few books within me wanting to be written so I will do more writing. I am expanding my client base and also have plans to have a TV show. As always I remain a student; constantly studying my craft to mastery.
How can people contact you about your services?
Visit my website at www.avalaura.com ; email avalaura@avalaura.com or call (301) 458-0335
My husband and I are business owners and I work a full time job and he a full time Ph.D. student; with three young children.
My advice is to make sure you have people around you that you can trust to help with your kids (if you have any); and do your research. Spend time and work up a business plan and do some market research for the area you are wanting to do business or setup shop.
Take a class (in the community or an official class at an university).
That is my take!
brownatural at gmail dot com
@unluckymrsmom