Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicholas Levich, Co-Founder of Psychedelic Passage, located in Bend, OR, USA.

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

We run a network of psychedelic guides all across the U.S. Our mission is to facilitate safe containers for sacred psychedelic use by creating an online ecosystem that leverages human connection to pair psychedelic journeyers with a network of professionals who represent these medicines with integrity, thereby inspiring trust, confidence, and growth for both journeyer and facilitator. Our customers seek some kind of healing and/or growth through intentional psychedelic use. Many of our clients feel stuck and are motivated to do whatever it takes to change. Others are curious about what lies beyond the veil of perception and are interested in deepening their spiritual practices. We've worked with clients who are looking to address: anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, personal growth, spiritual exploration, clarity of purpose, and more. Our vision is to raise the collective consciousness by empowering individuals to heal from within by fostering a connection with their authentic selves through sacred psychedelic use.

Tell us about yourself

I'm an entrepreneur turned men's work facilitator & psychedelic guide. For years I built businesses while secretly deepening my spiritual practice behind closed doors. Over time, I realized that helping humans was more fulfilling than hitting growth goals, and I transitioned into the role of a healer and facilitator full time.

I've spent the last decade-plus experimenting with psychedelic plants, fungi, and synthetic substances in both recreational and ceremonial settings. After realizing the power of these medicines, I embarked on a five-year apprenticeship under an ayahuascero and shamanic practitioner to develop the frameworks needed to serve others without projecting my own ego.

I come from the same line of spiritual teachers as Ram Dass, and my approach includes elements from Hinduism, Buddhism, somatic experiencing, archetypal work, and input from Lakota tribes. Once I had the direct experience of self-acceptance and unconditional love that psychedelics can provide, I knew it was my calling to facilitate this same type of healing experience for others.

One of my core motivations for starting this particular business was recognizing that folks were waking up to the profound healing power of psychedelics and knew they needed a guide but had no way to find one. I wanted to create a solution that allowed the average person to find local guides online, which prior to us, was really limited to word-of-mouth referrals. I wake up each day motivated by the opportunity to help people step into their own innate power by healing from within.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is providing a safe and effective way for people to explore the profound healing power of psychedelic medicines. We have served over 150+ journeyers who have experienced incredible shifts in their life because of the work we do here at Psychedelic Passage.

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

One of the hardest things about being a business owner in this space, in particular, is navigating the ever-changing legal landscape. The emerging field of psychedelics is evolving so quickly that we need to adapt to it. It's important for us to create a business that is sustainable long term, regardless of legislative changes, and so we're always looking forward and doing our best to predict what's on the horizon.

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

  1. Choose something you actually like (or even LOVE) doing! If there's one thing I've learned on my entrepreneurial journey, it's that chasing money never worked--at least not for me. Doing something you love allows you to overcome the inevitable roadblocks and setbacks with grace as opposed to the inevitable burnout that occurs for those looking to make a quick buck.
  2. Be willing to get your hands dirty--especially if you plan to grow a team around you. People are inspired by leaders who are willing to do the hard work. Alternatively, leaders who place themselves on a pedestal and think they are above the hard work tend to plant a seed of resentment among their team.
  3. We are all humans. Reducing people's value to their productive output paints an unfair and incomplete picture of who they are. An organization can't run without humans, and it's important that we value our team as our most important asset.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If you're considering an entrepreneurial endeavor, just go for it! Life is too short not to go after your dreams. Most people don't regret what they did--they regret what they didn't do. There is no such thing as failure as long as you learn something. Go for it!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.psychedelicpassage.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psychedelicpassage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychedelicpassage/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/psych_passage
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholaslevich/

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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