Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Colette and Gary Benoit, owners and founders of Benoit Wellness Consulting, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Our business is based on the principles of a lifestyle called Oola. Oola is when your life is balanced and growing in 7 key areas of life (fitness, finance, family, field, faith, friends, and fun). It’s about waking up and being the best version of yourself each and every day. It’s when you live your life by design and not default.

We have two branches of our business. One is business consulting, we consult and support small businesses in eliminating stress and overwhelming circumstances, so they can experience joy and freedom to do what they love in their businesses.

The second branch is our Philanthropy arm of our business, The Front Line Resiliency Project (FLRP). Through events and workshops, we bring front-line members together to heal through community and connection. We do this through workshops, the FLRP golf tournament, Couples Retreats, Conscious Connections, and our Everyday Heroes Gala. We developed the FLRP Community Fund last year. The FLRP Community Fund had been created to support front-line members and their families in the community. Members who have experienced a traumatic event and are struggling with their emotional or mental health can apply for funding to access services that may not be covered through traditional benefits (ex: Equine Therapy, Reiki, Cellular Transformational Healing, Reflexology, etc.). This fund will also be used to support members and their families in times of crisis. This can include but is not limited to financial struggles, divorce, medical crisis, food/supplies during a crisis, care packages, etc.

Tell us about yourself

After growing up in Saskatchewan, Colette obtained a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Criminal Justice in Edmonton. She currently resides with her husband Gary, their son Aiden, and puppy Oola. Colette has lived with a chronic illness since she was 15. With that came many challenges and losses in her life, which led her on a journey of self-discovery. She is heart-centered and passionate about helping you truly live a life with minimal stress and more balance, all while pursuing your purpose.

Gary is originally from Newfoundland and spent his early childhood in Alberta before moving to Saskatchewan, where he lived until 1998. At that time, he found himself back on Alberta soil, and he has been a police officer serving the community for 22 years. Gary is also an international best-selling co-author in the book bLU Talks, Business, Life and the Universe. As a police officer, he has seen many trying things and been involved in very difficult situations, including navigating the ups and downs of an officer-involved shooting. This incident was the breaking point of years of cumulative stress and trauma. Gary is down-to-earth, genuine, and a dedicated and caring leader.

Together, Colette & Gary own Benoit Wellness Consulting and founded the Front-Line Resiliency Project. Through the years, they have come to realize the importance of having a strong foundation, a resilient mind, a positive support system of people around you, and a balance that reduces daily stress. Now they are on a mission to make a difference in the lives of others so that the next generation, including our son, lives a better life than we did!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We would have to say there are two.

One is that we are still here. On those hard days, there were times we felt like quitting, but we didn’t.

The second is investing in ourselves. One of the best decisions we made as a business and in our personal lives is to get our mindset right. We have worked with a mindset expert for four years now. What most people don’t realize is that their outer results directly correlate to our subconscious beliefs. When you change your mindset, you can change your life.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

We think one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is the ups and downs. Some days are incredible and amazing, and others are extremely hard. On those hard days, it’s important to remember this too shall pass and to go back to why you started.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Just start, take that leap and just do it. It may be scary, but what if it’s the best decision you have ever made.
  2. Make sure you have an inspiring, motivating, and positive support system.
  3. Listen to your soul and do what you want to do, not what others think you should do or what society dictates is the norm.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

No matter where you are in life, You are designed for greatness and a purpose, and you deserve to live a life you love!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.benoitwellnessconsulting.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/frontlineresiliencyproject/
https://www.facebook.com/Benoitwellnessconsulting

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/frontlineresiliencyproject/
https://www.instagram.com/benoitwellnessconsulting/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.