Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hillary Mendoza, Founder of Wild Veda, located in Portland, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I run a wellness company called Wild Veda, merging the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with modern-day life. My customers are people anywhere from 20-70 who want to change their habits with food, sleep, pleasure, and embodiment practices to reach deeper levels of health, joy, and vitality.
Tell us about yourself
Hi! I'm Hillary of Wild Veda. I'm a Certified Clinical Ayurvedic Practitioner specializing in helping people achieve optimal health with customized nutrition, herbs, and habits to support their body's unique rhythms and cycles. I help people with mental/emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, and body challenges such as hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, allergies, skin conditions, and chronic yeast infections, as well as helping people get deeper sleep and recover their energy. Studying and practicing herbalism and Ayurveda changed the entire trajectory of my life.
I had a few pretty severe health crises, including breaking my spine in 2 different places when I was 21 and multiple other diagnoses which were presented to me as "incurable." This led me to my studies and practice of holistic medicine. Once I started implementing what I was learning, my health completely turned around, and I began to heal what I thought would never heal.
I received my certification as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and Pancha Karma Therapist from the California College of Ayurveda in 2015 and from the Dhyana Center in 2019, with an emphasis in lymphatic massage, women's health & breast care, and Ayurvedic Health & Wellness Coaching.. My life has become so rich with joy and devotion, helping others come back into harmony with their bodies and minds. I love the work I get to do and the transformations I get to witness through it.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I started a virtual seasonal school this last year, which has been mind-blowingly incredible. By journeying through the seasons over the course of a year, people can have a deep experience that shifts their perspectives, their ways of being and operating, and the way they care for themselves. My seasonal school teaches people about longevity practices and self-health-care throughout the seasons of our lives, so we can remain in vibrant health through the changing tides.
Knowledge truly is power, and when we know how to read the messages of our bodies and minds, it puts the power back into our own hands. This allows us to advocate for ourselves, and ultimately, live with more vitality, so we can love well and do deep work in the world.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I didn't realize when I started my business that I would have so many roles. I thought I would just teach and do consultations (which is what I love and am best at), but I've learned that I have to wear many hats --like understanding sales and marketing, public outreach and impact, financial tracking and planning, all the social media platforms and algorithms, tech skills, organizational tools, and video editing. It's A LOT.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get support from someone who knows what you're doing and has done it successfully, or who has helped people do what you want to do successfully!
- Do NOT ask for advice from people who don't understand what you're trying to do. It may squash your dream or trigger doubt in you, and you don't need that in the beginning (or ever really).
- Organization. If you can get organized from the beginning, it will save you time, mental/emotional stress, and help you make bigger moves while making a stronger impact.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.wildveda.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hillary.mendoza1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild.veda/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillarymendoza/
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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