Corrective Bodywork & Pilates

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shannon Rashap, owner of Chulel, located in Austin, TX, USA.

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

I help people with chronic pain and injury patterns figure out how they're moving; that's reinforcing that pain. This often includes getting them to recognize where they're holding current stress or an old trauma in their body. We then go through a process of mindfully releasing those stressors and then neurologically correcting that compensation pattern so they can move more efficiently and without pain.

Tell us about yourself

I suddenly lost my father when I was 28, and overnight, my back locked up, and my body changed. I experienced 10 out of 10 pain for almost two years and felt tender to the touch. At the time, I was a social worker, a job I loved but felt like I had nothing left over for me. I came to the work I now do initially by training in Pilates, then several other techniques, as well as a massage license. It took time for me to heal the biomechanical aspect of that pain pattern as well as recognize when my back would start to tighten--what stressors or triggers was I experiencing?

I love helping others through this process. The body is incredibly powerful and can teach us a lot. I try to coach my clients to start recognizing the subtle messages our bodies tell us and how they can use that to not just heal but improve their athletic pursuits.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Making it through a pandemic! My business was quite stable by 2020 as I had been in practice for about ten years already. A lot of my clientele base had auto-immune conditions or other health factors that led them not to come back when COVID hit.

Since 2020 I've had to build my business back, and my demographic has changed. It's been interesting to observe that and wonder how my business will continue to evolve.

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

You will have to face all of your faults and fears head-on otherwise, your business will suffer. You'll be pushed and challenged to take risks and put yourself out there, which means doing the deep work of self-improvement.

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

Do a SWOT analysis for your idea. This is a bit different now that so many businesses are Internet-based, but how are you going to bring something unique?
Find a practice, be that exercise, writing, meditation, where you feel like creative ideas or insights come to you, and be sure to do that weekly so you can apply what comes to you to yourself and your business.
Find a mentor you can bounce ideas off and generally give you advice. These folks can be critical when you feel like you hit a wall or made a mistake.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://chulel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chulelwellness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chulelwellness/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-rashap-1a10b035/

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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