Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Solas, Founder of Solace Forest, located in Co Wicklow, Ireland.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Solace Forest. It is a sanctuary for my clients to come and delve deep, explore their inner world, and declutter the debris that is not theirs. It's a safe place where self-love grows. I work with people who want to deepen their relationship with themselves. Those who want to become their best friend, their greatest support, and their loudest cheerleader. We forget that a positive and nurturing relationship with ourselves takes conscious effort. We often put more energy and effort into our relationships with others because we dream that we will make us feel whole, loved and lovable, supported and accepted. We forget that the longest relationship we have in our lives is with ourselves. We never get a break from ourselves. Running away from ourselves or taking time out is not an option. When was the last time you considered all that you could be for yourself in this life?
- Be your own best friend.
- Love yourself as deeply as you dream another will love you.
- Create a peaceful sanctuary within.
- Feel strong & proud of all your uniqueness.
Tell us about yourself
Life has not been easy for me. I live with three chronic illnesses. 2 physical and one mental. Time and time again, I have been forced to stop flourishing and focus on surviving or recovering. I have lost count of the times I've had to rebuild myself and my life. But in all those challenges and in all the years of up and down, I have always had a strong relationship with myself, and through this relationship, my journey has been lighter and brighter and had a purpose, ME. Rebuilding became a time of growth and an opportunity to step forward into a lifestyle that nourished me and honored who I was and what my challenges were at that time.
I love helping people to connect with their inner knowing, turn up the volume on their inner knowing, and start giving more time, energy, love, and space to themselves in their world. We are raised to believe giving to others is what makes you a great person and what pays back the space you take up in this world, but I don't believe that to be true. Love, nourishing, and supporting yourself gives space for others to do the same.
Knowing how to ask for what you need from others, with clarity and unwavering confidence, without apology or shame, teaches them that they can do the same, but most importantly, it teaches them how to love and care for you in a way that you feel and hear their effort.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Creating an income source that allows me to take care of my needs, that gives space for my illnesses, and a job that keeps me learning and growing as a professional and individual. But the best part is getting to guide and support my clients on their journey in life, seeing them become happier and freer in their life and this world.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Learning all that it takes to run a business. If you want to run a business, you don't just have to be an expert in the service/field you want to work in; you have to become brilliant in social media, SEO, accounting, marketing, writing, etc. You have to learn how to play games with the robots that run the internet so that people can find your business. I do love all of the learning and expanding skills, but as someone who needs time and capacity for my illness and mental health, I have felt that all of the learning has led to a slower growth of my business than I first expected. It led to feeling financially vulnerable at the time.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't wait until everything is as you think it should be to start.
Start your social media accounts long before you are ready to start your business. But don't feel you have to use all platforms out there. Choose 3 to focus on and get an efficient posting routine on these. - Start writing blogs and content as you learn, so your skills and speed improve, and you may even have some content you can use when you are ready to go live.
- Write yourself a note as to why you do this and what you know to be true of the value you have to bring. We so often get lost in doubt and spend more time and money on upskilling, but changing the narrative in your mind is what makes the biggest difference. You have something to offer, you are good enough, and for many, you will be exactly what they need right now.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.solaceforest.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083279054257
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solace_forest/
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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