Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nadia Doe, co-founder and owner of Sacred Heart Medicine Sanctuary, located in Vancouver, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Sacred Heart Medicine is a non-profit religious organization that introduces people of the West to Shamanism, the oldest "religion" in the world. To us, the principles and beliefs of Shamanism are so intertwined with how we live life that you can barely even call it a religion. We work with an ancient flavor of Shamanism, commonly called Animism, which is the belief that everything has spirit. That's it! From the earth to other individuals to the illness that resides in your body, we feel it's important to honor it all and learn how to keep those energies in balance.
Our goal is to show others how to heal themselves, teach the community how to connect to the natural world, and connect each person to their higher self. Once a person knows who they are and why they are here, they can live life more fully in a way that feels aligned and full of joy. We offer services to the community through free classes, monthly groups, a ceremony with psilocybin mushrooms (plant medicine), and spiritual counseling.
The individuals we work with vary greatly depending on where they are in their life paths. We work a lot with people who need help processing their personal trauma or have severe trauma in their family line, also known as ancestral trauma. We support other healers who are on the path of helping the collective and need to open their gifts fully. We also work with those who are interested in the true ancient practice of Shamanism, which is actually very feminine and intuitive, not full of restricting traditional practice.
Tell us about yourself
I came to this work with a severe addiction to alcohol, Adderall, and sex. I had lifelong depression, anxiety, and Borderline Personality Disorder. I was destroying my family by running from my emotions instead of processing them, not knowing I didn't even have the tools to address the magnitude of trauma that was buried in my subconscious. After reaching a breaking point and not wanting to lose my marriage, I sat in Ceremony with Plant Medicine, which was my first of many initiations as a Healer and Shaman.
Each day I am motivated by knowing that there are others out there who are suffering like I was. There are others out there who are yearning for community and connection. So many people know they have a deeper calling here on earth and just don't know how to answer it. It's my job to build that container for healing, help those people open the doors within themselves, and create a space for the community to grow.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been around the magic that I have allowed to flow into my life by following my intuition instead of only using my logical mind. Nothing about how we operate is done in a traditional sense; it is all done by feeling. I work with those who feel right, move into the space that feels right, and follow my internal guidance on what direction the organization is going.
For example, in 2013, I was homeless/houseless in Hawaii with my husband, two young children, and two dogs. We relocated across the country twice as we got back on our feet during that experience. In 2019, when my heart told me it was time to move across the country again, this time to Vancouver, Washington, I put my fear aside, and we leaped. I started this organization at that time and have grown it organically over the last three years. Today, we have people from all over the world who come work with us for healing. When I think about how far we have come in such a short period of time, I am so proud.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As someone who runs an organization, I can say confidently that there is nothing easy about it. Everything is just a different flavor of challenge. As for my most challenging aspect, I would say it is learning how to delegate tasks instead of taking everything on myself.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Focus your business on something that feels good for you, not the thing that will logically help you do or get _____. Decide what you want out of this life, where you can help others, and get out of your own way.
- Always follow your gut.
- Don't focus on the money. Once you are doing what is aligned for you, the money will follow, but having a goal that just involves money will leave you feeling empty on the inside and working harder than anyone should.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.sacredheartmedicine.us/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sacredheartmedicinesanctuary
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacredheartmedicine/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sacred_Heart_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mana-bodywork-and-massage/
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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