Respect, Growth, and Love - HeartWise Relationship Academy
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ruth Sharon, Co-Founder of Energy for Life, DBA HeartWise Relationship Academy, located in Centennial, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Based on what is being revealed in thousands of clients and our own 52-year marriage, we have discovered a new stage in human development which we affectionately call HeartWise. In 2021, we launched HeartWise Relationship Academy. to provide online, on-demand learning for couples and singles preparing for desired love relationships. You can find our HeartWise book on Amazon as well, which is a compilation of 16 love relationship experts sharing their observations, guidance, and practical tools for learning the skills and attitudes of being HeartWise. We invited a talented faculty to share their love relationship wisdom. You can learn more from our newsletter at www.heartwise.us. Explore courses, webinars, programs, interviews on our podcast, books, live events, and teachings for a wiser, more compassionate society. Every February, we have a virtual event, "Celebrating Love"--I hope to see you there.
Tell us about yourself
We met in college in 1967! We married in 1970 in PA by the son of the Rabbi who married Jim's parents in OH. We knew we were blessed. We each had our own career paths--Ruth as an elementary teacher, then a school counselor after earning a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology. Jim was a mental health center psychologist. Moving to Colorado for Jim to get his doctorate in graduate school, our life took a huge turn! In 1976 we became pregnant with our amazing daughter Alaina. Although planned and hoped for, this stopped us in our tracks. I couldn't imagine putting our dear precious child in daycare. With good friends on our path of meditation, yoga, wellness practices, and creating balanced healthy lifestyles, we launched the Greeley Center for Human Development. Pregnant with a child and with a new lifestyle. We became entrepreneurs, and we have remained these 46-plus years!
We work together as holistic licensed counselors, serving individuals, couples, and families, now only on Telehealth, as Energy for Life (www.energyforlife.us). Our business has grown so much due to this mental health crisis we are in that we have added licensed therapists to serve more people. Our youngest child is our back office, managing all of us and our associates' billing and payments. YAY Aly!
Counseling so many couples and leading retreats (since 1986) led us to develop our coaching programs for devoted couples who want a more spiritually and wellness-oriented lifestyle. We co-authored the inspiring book "Secrets of a Soulful Marriage: Creating and Sustaining Loving, Sacred Relationships." (on Amazon also).
When we saw the movement in our clients and in our culture from codependency to more autonomy and interdependence, we named this stage HeartWise in 2020. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we went deep into ourselves with our clients and colleagues; that's when we compiled the HeartWise book and opened the HeartWise Relationship Academy. Our children have been so essential in our lives. We love to work together! Alaina, our first, helped with our Soulful Couples marketing our son Michael has been our videographer, course producer, and continual business advisor! We now have three granddaughters whom we adore and await the arrival of more Sharon clan!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being able to create and sustain a loving, healthy lifestyle with my beloved Jim Sharon. We are planning a glorious non-retirement of having business systems in place so we can make money while we rest at the beach!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The uncertainty really tests our faith and trust. Knowing we are living our truth, we align with what best serves ourselves and others. Our doubts, debt, and disputes have been hefty and tough. Spiritual attunement is essential for each of us, and together so we can live true to who we are. Building friendships, collegial relationships, and networking bring support and riches beyond dollars. Feeling disconnected and disappointed, unseen and unheard, are the killers of energy. And they instruct me on what my inner conversation about people and life are.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Do your personal work--pay attention to your deepest desires and intentions, notice what you put your attention on, and be mindful of how much tension you have around your worth/value/contribution.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
HeartWise Relationship Academy is an open, welcoming community of people wanting to evolve and grow in love relationships. Find out what is helpful for your growth. www.HeartwiseAcademy.com.
Please share our work with other potential faculty and learners. Our podcast "Give Your Love Life Some Love" is at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/give-your-love-life-some-love/id1451880513.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.soulfulcouples.com/heartwise
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartWiseRelationshipAcademy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/energyforlife/
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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