Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Heather Alice Shea, CEO of Atmana Academy, located in Jacksonville Beach, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Atmana Academy is an online coaching training and education company that provides life coach certification and business mentorship to emerging intuitive coaches in the personal growth and wellness industry. We use research-based training systems that blend spirituality and science, helping our clients from all over shorten growth and profitability cycles so they can bring their soul's vision into the marketplace with a bang. I'm super proud of the fact that we are the world's first life coach training school that provides research-supported frameworks that teach healing professionals how to integrate and apply intuition in their work effectively. Our clients are mainly ambitious, open-hearted women of all ages. Lately, we've had several men train with us as well, which is very exciting and a positive sign that intuitive-focused coaching is going mainstream!
Tell us about yourself
I know it sounds dramatic, but when I look back on my life, I feel like every experience I've had has led me to become an Intuition Teacher and Life Coach Educator. When I was 21, I landed my very first professional job out of college as a career coach. As I got older, I fell in love with Clinical Psychology, and I got my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Intuition came into my life by necessity, really. I had a chronic illness that led to several surgeries that almost ended my life. Healing came as I learned to live from my own intuitive knowledge. At first, it was hard to trust myself but learning to master my own intuitive process literally saved me. I think the most exciting thing for me about what I do is knowing that we are living in a time when science and spirituality are finally speaking the same language! All of our intuitive development methods at Atmana are supported by research. It allows our students to relax and feel very confident in using their intuitive abilities because they understand that it is a valid and real skill.
Research shows that intuition is quickly emerging as an essential professional skill across all industries. We live in the age of "information overwhelm." We need faster, more accurate tools to meet the cognitive demand modernity presents to us. Developing the ability to think creatively and access "right brain" solutions is the answer to this problem. The support and training that we offer in Atmana today help aspiring coaches and entrepreneurs unlock the power of their intuitive abilities, granting them a competitive advantage over those who are still relying on outdated, 20th-century rules that are quickly losing their relevance and effectiveness.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is seeing the impact our coaches make in the world. Watching them thrive as individuals and in their coaching practices is such a thrill. From a monetary perspective, my biggest accomplishment this far is clearing the seven-figure mark. That one felt pretty damn good!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing for me has been discovering who my true friends are. Once Atmana started achieving real success, I was shocked to see that some of the people in my life were not happy for me. Success shows you who your real friends are, and that can be painful at times. But also, you realize that the ones that stick around are worth their weight in gold. I am so grateful to everyone who has stood by me and joined me throughout this journey.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The first thing I would say is to start a business that you're actually passionate about. Don't go in asking yourself how you're going to make money. You got to start with your principles and your purpose first. The people I know who prioritized profit over purpose are either miserable or no longer in business.
The second thing I would say is to do your research on the Industry you are entering. Find people you admire and reverse engineer what makes them tick. As you do this, of course, follow your own intuition to guide you. Many start businesses flying blind and fail, not because they didn't have a great idea but because they simply weren't educated enough about their industry and market.
And last but not least, follow what you believe to be true for you. You have to trust your intuition. There isn't anyone on this planet who knows the right answers for you but you. The entrepreneurs who accept and trust that are the ones who are wildly successful. Trust yourself; you got this!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
We host a complimentary intuitive coaching class on the first Tuesday of every month called "The Atmana Experience." It's a great way to learn who to tune in to and turn up the volume on your intuition! Visit www.atmanaexperience.com to learn more!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.heatheraliceshea.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/atmanaintuitivecoachcollective
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatheraliceshea/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatheraliceshea/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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