When Business Gets Personal

Running your own wellness business can be challenging. It can be humbling and sometimes feel terrifying to put yourself “out there.”

I’ve seen it bring many women to tears. I think this is important to share because many women passionate about wellness start their own business, only to find out how hard it really is.

Years ago, just about the time I was getting ready to launch my health coaching business, (after jumping ship from the corporate world), I met a health coach who had just quit her business because she didn’t like all the “paperwork.” I didn’t understand it at the time. But now I get it.

Many holistic wellness practitioners work for themselves. They are the CEO and chief bottle washer as well as marketing director, website designer, tech support AND bookkeeper. And although they see clients, running the business side can feel very isolating.

But whether you make a million dollars or not, you’ve chosen to enter the arena. So, kudos to you. Keep doing your work. Every person you've helped has influenced someone else positively. Your work is exponential.

You know the quote from Teddy Roosevelt that Brene Brown has popularized:

“…The credit belongs to the (wo)man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming...”

Running a business forces you to face your fears and come to terms with your vulnerabilities. You grow both personally and professionally.

For many women, business aside, it’s more than a business, it's a calling. That's true for me and for many of the women I support and talk with.?

As Christine Kane says, "Your business is ultimately your playground for your soul's expansion."

There is no formula. No blueprint.? It takes diving deep below the surface and being open to face up to your limiting beliefs, resistance, and self-doubt. It takes grit.

But that’s how you grow. That’s how you help more people.

As alternative and holistic practitioners, we are changing how people care for their bodies and minds. We are collectively pushing against a culture that makes it harder, not easier, to be healthy. And that’s not changing anytime soon.

Women are reclaiming their role as healers and, listeners and relationship builders.? We are the majority of alternative and holistic providers and play a major part in the wellness economy.

If you're struggling or feel isolated, don't give up. Here are a few of my reflections and strategies to help you keep you coming back for more:

Come back to your why. It will ground you and guide you. Make it visible so you can refer to it often. (If you haven't written it down yet, make sure you do. Put it on your wall, in your wallet and under your pillow.) It’s your lighthouse when you feel overwhelmed or lost.

Trust the process. It can feel frustrating to put something out there, not knowing if anyone will even see it or respond, but trust that every seed you plant will grow into a lead, a connection or just another touch point that keeps people curious about you.

Don't do marketing. Do community building. Most women don't like marketing, but they love building relationships. Communicate what you think is important and why, and the right people will find you.

Believe in yourself. Sounds obvious, but it’s probably the biggest obstacle women face. Self-doubts are soul crushers. Ask yourself, if ________ (whatever limiting belief) wasn’t holding you back, what could be possible?

Connect with a community. Don't go it alone! Connect, partner, support, listen, and learn from other wellness practitioners or business owners. Share your ideas with a trusted friend or business owner and collaborate with others.? Be the one who takes the first step.

Reach out to me if you want some more ideas or if you want to connect with other like-minded women.? The Women’s Wellness Exchange community gets together for workshops and referral roundtables each month, and we also have a platform to promote your offerings and events, the Women’s Wellness Center. I also provide business mentoring and group coaching opportunities if you need some support.?

Tracey Miller is the founder of the Women's Wellness Exchange and runs retreats for women 50+. She is a retired holistic health coach, author, mentor and advocate for women's health.