Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in holistic health & wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Karen Brar, founder of Nourished Union, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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

Nourished Union is a holistic health and wellness company servicing anyone interested in living healthy, balanced, and meaningful lives. At Nourished Union, we believe that living well is a fundamental right to all beings and that living in harmony is, in fact, innate within each of us. However, the realities of our modern world have moved us away from this place of balance.

Our process is to first uncover the imbalances present for each individual and to then curate the ancient practices of Yoga and Ayurveda alongside modern-day wellness science (Integrative Nutrition, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) to deliver sincere and effective holistic health and wellness programs that are specific to each person in order to initiate healing and achieve sustainable change so that living well becomes a way of life.

Tell us about yourself

My own personal life experiences brought me to learning and experiencing the significant effects that Yoga and Ayurveda can have on healing your whole being and living a more meaningful life. I’m a former contemporary dancer, and in my mid-20’s, after years of emotional and physical injuries, I sought therapy and yoga classes for some much-needed healing. What happened next is what I call “the power of the practice,” and it soon took over in ways I never expected. I found myself returning to the mat not only for the positive physical effects yoga offered but also for the mind-body connection.

By applying the tools learned on the mat to my everyday life, I undo old patterns, develop new pathways in my brain, and overcome my struggles with depression and anxiety. This life-changing experience motivated me to pursue in-depth studies in the philosophies and practices of Yoga and Ayurveda.

This experience impassioned me to share my knowledge and experience with others. I founded Nourished Union in 2016 to teach, support, and empower people to find balance and meaning in their lives. My authentic experience of the power of the practice and my genuine desire to share it with others drives Nourished Union.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Every time I’m able to reach an individual on a heart level and help influence meaningful change in their lives.

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

Balancing the work that needs to go into growing and maintaining a successful business with my desire to focus on the reason I started the business, which is to work with individuals on their wellness journeys.

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

  1. Make peace with the fact that you will be all things to the business for a time. One day you will be marketing and finance, and the next, HR, IT, and so much more. There may even be days when you feel like you don’t even get to work on what you feel is the core of the business and offering - and that’s okay!
  2. Go for it. So often, we want things to be all figured out and perfect before taking them public, but it’s important to know and accept that things will morph, change and expand as you do, which will mean that you have to go to market with something and allow for the natural growth process to occur. This has been the best business advice shared with me, and I’m so appreciative of it.
  3. Be kind to yourself. Some days can be draining and demotivating if you’re not careful of staying clear on your purpose. Give yourself a break when you don’t meet a goal, objective, or deadline. Learn what you can from experience and move forward.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Take time for yourself. The essence of our business is to share and help others live more meaningfully, and this starts with each of us. Take time to care for your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing so you can show up for your business, clients, and the world in the best way you can.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://nourishedunion.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nourishedunion/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nourished-union/

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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