Does creating an authentic business make sense?

Does creating an authentic business make sense?

I’m offering you my timeline as a learning tool.

1998 — I met my spiritual teacher Master Choa Kok Sui and took my first energy (pranic) healing course while in music school in NYC.

2003 — I performed with the New York Philharmonic --my dream orchestra—and realized I did not want to spend my life as a professional musician.

2004 — I started my career as an arts manager.

2010 — I left New York for a 10-month fellowship in DC that opened up a life-changing opportunity to become a consultant and strategic planner.

2012 — Feeling burned out from the on-the-road consulting life and ready to reinvent myself, I moved to Miami and resumed work as an arts executive.

2018 — Twenty years after taking my first course, I resumed the study of pranic healing.

2019 — I went full-time with my own business, Cultured Innovations. While consulting and coaching, I unintentionally attracted grantwriting clients, and my business expanded.

2020 — Internally, I committed to my spiritual path. I started Arhatic Yoga and became certified as a quantum healing hypnosis practitioner. I facilitated past-life regressions and clocked major hours coaching business leaders. My business grew to six figures. I was grateful, especially given the challenges of the time.

2022 — In deep meditation, I saw that my life purpose was to openly facilitate healing and transformation. I was too scared to tell people about it.

2023 — I became The Business Healer. Realizing that my clients needed more healing, not more logic, to break through the obstacles holding them back from success, I did a total 360 in my business. I overcame my fear of being seen as weird, added healing to my coaching practice, and started outwardly living what many people in the business field are afraid to embrace—inner truth and authenticity at work. It was my highest revenue year to date.


Looking back, I see I focused on “what made sense” for too long. I was hiding from the path that truly called me because pursuing it shook ripples of fear all throughout me.?

Because who would create a healing business for founders and business owners??

Did that even “make sense?”?

But I did it. I was done hiding.?

The irony of becoming The Business Healer was that everyone who knew me had the same piece of feedback about this new direction:

“OK, well, that makes sense. That’s what you do.”

What?!

My choice made sense to other people.?

What?!

After all that, I saw that the hiding I’d done wasn’t necessary. Because people could see my authentic Self shining through, even when I couldn’t.?

So, the lesson is: You will be most successful and prosperous when you embrace the power of your authentic Self. Logic is an important tool for creating business success but it’s more powerful combined with purpose.?

What part of your authentic Self would you love to bring into your business, but maybe you’ve been scared to try?

Paula Shannon

I help leaders inspire teams, navigate uncertainty, and get results in demanding environments while being genuine and living sustainably.

3 个月

Your story resonates so very much. Thank you for sharing. I recently transitioned from a near 30 year career to launch my own executive coaching and leadership development business. For many years, I doubted myself. I didn't think I could start my own business...I had all the familiar negative stories running: who am I to do this? How can I compete? What makes me so special? This last year, I decided it was time. As the metaphorical boat smolders on the bank, I am more fulfilled than ever as I pursue who I aspire to be and become her. It is terrifying most days and equally exhilarating. I am leaning into my gifts and talents daily. My time is my own. My calling is very clear: help leaders who empower others to create a more just, equitable, sustainable, and loving world. Recognizing how I am special, what my gifts are, and how I can serve others is helping me to not only reinvent myself but to do so authentically and compassionately.

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