Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jodi Lawyer, Founder of Helix Healing Path LLC, located in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a Holistic Occupational Therapist with experiences working across the lifespan. In my practice, I work with a variety of clients with trauma and the lasting effects trauma has on the brain-body connection with the breakdown of systems. I was trained and certified in a specialized proprietary protocol that rewires the neural pathways in the brain from adverse emotional experiences called Quantum Neuro Reset Therapy (QNRT). Through my sessions with clients, we heal the brain-body connection, restore the limbic system and balance the brain. Additionally, I educate and coach clients on self-regulation and various other strategies, such as archetype movements, breath work, guided imagery, meditation, Brain gym exercises, and mindfulness to incorporate into their daily lives while they're healing forward. I also provide bodywork modalities such as Tactile Integration, Reflex Integration, CranioSacral Therapy, and Reiki Energy healing. My clients/customers are everyday people who want to feel better in their bodies and heal from negative experiences. Typically clients have already gone to traditional talk therapy.
Tell us about yourself
I went back to school for a second Master's degree after my son, Hayden, was diagnosed with Autism at age four. At the time, my daughter was one year old. I started out my occupational therapy career working in an outpatient pediatric setting and worked in skilled nursing on the weekends. Through my experiences, I became aware of QNRT and went through the treatment myself, as I was quite intrigued. I accidentally opened up Pandora's box and uncovered deep, repressed trauma that needed to be addressed and healed to help me move forward in life. Looking back, I could see how my trauma shaped my childhood and adulthood with my negative patterns. I added meditation and yoga into the mix and became increasingly more my true self on the journey.
Through the healing work, I also made my childhood dream come true and wrote and published my first children's book: "Mag the Mighty Marshmallow." Through my own experience of healing, I wholeheartedly feel I lead by example and coach clients toward finding their own path through the healing work. Through my practice, I had the opportunity to meet so many different people of backgrounds and cultures, and I have loved conversing and hearing their individual stories and holding the space for intense healing. It is through the process of watching clients bloom and no longer feel stagnant that motivates me the most.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
What I enjoy the most is being in charge of myself and carving out my own schedule. This allows me to practice self-care by going to yoga four to five days a week, spending quality time with my family, and refueling myself to be at my best for clients. I built my practice from one client, and over five years, it has evolved at a steady pace. More individuals are seeking out alternative methods for healing as traditional modalities haven't always worked for them. With this opportunity, I'm able to spend quality time with my clients and build positive co-creative partnerships with them. I have clients who occasionally reach out after a couple of years to say hi or come back for a "tune-up," which makes my day! Another aspect is I literally had nothing but figured out what I needed to do to go into practice for myself through extensive research and problem-solving.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The most difficult aspect is that continuous motivation has to come from within, as there is nobody but myself to hold me accountable. When something doesn't seem to be working the way I'd like it to, I get still, meditate or go to yoga and usually receive some inspiration or leads me to a podcast, article, or person that can help me. It was also especially difficult during the initial lockdown with the COVID pandemic as my modalities are hands-on and face-to-face. There wasn't the opportunity to work, and that time proved to be extremely difficult and stressful without the stream of income. I guess with every storm; a person comes out more resilient with a varied perspective. I kept going even when I as thought I wanted to quit! As my name gets out there, more opportunities land in my lap, and potential clients reach out to inquire about services.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My three tips are to find out how you can make your business fit within your community. There is a niche for everyone, and it may take to figure it out. Don't give up even when you want to. Research shows it can take up to five years to get a business going, and I know from personal experience this was the case. Find support from other business owners and collaborate with positive leaders. My last tip is to try and figure out your costs of running the business, supplies, overhead costs, tax bracket, licenses, registering through the state, etc. There are many little pieces that do come together, but to ensure all your ducks are in a row!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://helixhealingpath.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JodiLawyerHolisticOT
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodi_lawyer_holisticot/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodi_lawyer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-lawyer-a618a57/
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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