Mindfulness and Creative Self-expression

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sara Adams, Founder of LEAP Wellness, located in Middleton, NS, Canada.

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

Our goal is to support people in learning mindfulness techniques and creative self-expression to be more fully engaged in life. My customers are anyone who would like to tune into their inner voice to discover their purpose or to process past events and experiences. I use a combination of mindfulness and the creative arts to guide clients towards self-discovery and healing.

Tell us about yourself

I am passionate about health and wellness, along with lifelong learning and helping people. I have had this business for a while, but its current iteration started a few years ago when I was really struggling with workaholic, perfectionist tendencies and trying to find work-life balance with my family and other passions. My mother signed me up for an "Embodied Leadership" workshop one weekend, which I thought was going to help me increase my leadership skills... little did I know that session would transform my life.

I walked into the hotel ballroom that Saturday morning feeling how I always felt: exhausted and depressed. We started with a breathing exercise and a check-in. People started pouring out their souls, and the facilitator nodded, breathed with them, and then talked them through their feelings. I thought to myself, "Oh, it's THIS kind of workshop." I was too tired to resist, so I resigned myself then and there to the fact that I was likely going to cry in public (which I hated doing — I don't like to show weakness and vulnerability.) I cried. A LOT.

I breathed and cried and was held in the presence of a group of phenomenal empathic leaders. I felt the tight ball holding everything together start to unravel. And at the end of that weekend, I felt AMAZING. I returned to my day job that Monday feeling like I was floating on air and with the knowledge that I had to change. My mental health couldn't sustain the level of caregiving I had been attempting. I had to fix my "stuff" before I could help my daughter. I started realizing that I needed to take care of myself to be a better mom, partner, and teacher. I am learning to use the tools I've been taught to process trauma and become more fully me. I have to remind myself every day to breathe.

Creating through the arts allows me to express how I'm feeling and helps me to process what's stored in my body. But I can't help but want to help. So I have decided to offer courses, workshops, and other tools to help others like me process trauma, combat burnout, and live a more meaningful, creative, and balanced life. This is a journey and one I hope to undertake with like-minded people. I let my sessions serve as a reminder to take care of myself and step more fully into my deep and true calling. This path has led me to start my Master's in Mental Health Counseling, focusing on Expressive Arts Therapy. I am currently entering my second year of the program and use many of the skills and strategies I've learned in my workshops and courses.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The feeling I get when I help people. I have had the absolute pleasure of running a few group workshops, and the feedback I get from participants about how fulfilling and healing they are makes my heart and soul shine.

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

Finding the time to really work on the business. I am still in my early stages, creating a client base and discovering what works. I wish I had more hours in the day to create more content and build clientele.

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

Follow your passion. My dad always told me to follow my passion, and the money will come. Following your passion is what draws others to you and creates your perfect client base.
Invest in the things you don't do well. When starting out, acknowledge you can't do it all well. Choose the pieces you do based on your strengths and pay someone to do the things you are weakest at (for me, that was my website design.)
Network with other small business owners. Share tips and tricks, grow a community of like-minded people and grow together!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.leapwellness.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leapwellnesscanada
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapwellnessca/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeapWellnessCa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leap-wellness/

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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