Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Christina Heike, founder of New Decision Therapy & Veda Academy NYC, located in New York, NY, USA.

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

My business New Decision Therapy and Veda Academy NYC is the umbrella for my multi-passion project. As a Holistic Mental Health Coach, I offer therapeutic Yoga, Ayurveda, Emo-Trauma, and New Decision Therapy.

New Decision Therapy is a most effective trauma release modality by Dr. Kandis Blakely (Ph.D.), who I trained under, and worked closely with until her passing.

I synthesize science and spirituality, Eastern and Western philosophy for the best results for my clients, incorporating body-centered approaches, mindfulness, and creative expression. The 'Holy Grail' is CONNECTION, connection to self, our bodies, our emotions, to our partner, family, and community. Tragically disconnection is our daily bread. Let's change that. I help conscious parents, especially women, who repeat relationship patterns and trauma triggers, to break free and create loving relationships with themselves, their children, and their partners.

When they break the cycle of generational & childhood trauma, they can tap into their full potential and leave a legacy of a life lived with peace, poise, and purpose - walk their God walk.

My clients are mothers and their children, renegades, Highly Sensitive People, women in unhealthy relationships, high stress and burnout situations. In short: I make lemonade out of the lemons life gave them. And as you can tell, I like to keep my humor. It's a master tool. (Think St. Francis of Assisi.)

Tell us about yourself

Born in Berlin as a highly sensitive child in a non-sensitive family (WW2 survivor parents), I gained insights into the volatile nature of the human mind, emotion, and relationships. Questioning the suffering of people (and my own), injustice, the spiritual quest (why are we here?), and physical pains brought me to my first Yoga class at age 12, the first step of many in finding tools to balance body, heart-mind, spirit.

My own childhood trauma brought me on a quest for the best tools to release and truly get to the root of it. I got certified in Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda, accomplished M.S. in Sports, M.Ed. in Edu Psychology and Special Education, and am a cert. German Naturopath, but it wasn't until I encountered New Decision Therapy (NDT) that I felt true relief. The heart of NDT is a 5 step forgiveness process in the mirror - cause, in the end, we are always facing ourselves. Become your own best friend.

Seeing that my clients find new strength, move through their challenges, come out more resilient and able to make peace with their past so they can step into the life that makes their hearts sing - priceless.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Immigrating from Germany to NYC first having a teaching career and then taking the leap to entrepreneurship - as a solo parent; on top of it, that took guts & faith. Serving people throughout the pandemic. I supported the staff of a nursing home with restorative Yoga & Mindfulness to get through their tough days during the health crisis. I am also so grateful to see people shift their energy in a relatively short time and gain a new outlook on life, step out of anger into more self-love. Also grateful that I can offer most of my work virtually around the globe, with clients in New Zealand, Europe, U.S.

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

Especially in the first years, when one still does most of the things by oneself, that's tough - and at the same time, an amazingly steep learning curve. For me personally, I had so many things to figure out. In my teaching job, I was getting a paycheck. So running the business as a full-time entrepreneur and supporting my son and I was/is a whole new ballgame.

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

  1. Know that building a business is one of the most intense personal development endeavors you can embark on.
  2. Burn for something.
  3. Know your heart & Be patient with yourself.
  4. Get support ASAP.

I know these are four tips - but who's counting?

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I immigrated with my now teenage son five years ago from Berlin to NYC and am the sole NDT practitioner on the East coast. I am a repeat immigrant, Keynote speaker, and visual artist with a passion for our spiritual journey, nature, opera, and Felines.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.newdecisiontherapynyc.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/35MligD
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newdecisiontherapy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-heike-ms-med-0572a219/

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.

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