‘Follow what stirs your soul…’ That’s the advice Renee Eli has for new entrepreneurs as we spotlight her business, Wild, Well & Wise – A Path to Wholeness. Renee happened to find us on Facebook, and we’re very excited to share her story.

What year did you launch your business?

Wild, Well & Wise is a brand new venture. We published a Facebook page in the fall of 2012 to launch the concept.

Tell us a little bit about what your company does and the products / services you offer

Wild, Well & Wise provides educational programs, consulting and support services for people who want to transform their relationship with food. We create educational packages that can be fully downloaded, and we provide consultative and support services online and on-site. In addition, we will begin conducting on-site events in 2013.

How Did You Get Started in Your Company?

I am committed to helping people reclaim well-being, and I feel an overwhelming sense of concern about alarming rates of obesity and food-related diseases. Paralleled with my concern for human beings’ health, I am concerned about nature. I believe human well-being is intimately tied to planetary well-being, and planetary well-being relies now on human care and concern. These concerns formed the impetus to launch Wild, Well & Wise

Why Did You Choose the Industry that You’re In?

I chose a virtual format primarily because the vision for Wild, Well & Wise is broad. We are not a local or place-based company. Our mission is to reach hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people, to support them in reclaiming well-being at a time when food related diseases are so prevalent, concerning, and on the rise.

What do you like most about what you do?

I most enjoy empowering people to transform their lives. I love the ‘aha’ moments that we all have in our lives, those moments that signal the opening of a new inner landscape. Suddenly, we get it, whatever the ‘it’ is that we are seeking to understand. These are the moments that signal change.

What is your biggest “WHY’ for what you do?

I watch people struggle with confusion and exhaustion, questioning why they cannot seem to lose weight or keep it off. I watch people ‘beat themselves up’ for being ‘fat’. I watch obese children struggling to make it from the car to the door. I see the look in their eyes. They did not create this obesity epidemic.

In order for our children’s lives to be changed, in order for all of us to end the war on weight, and in order for us to reclaim a sense of well-being in our lives, we need to come home to our body. We need to live IN our body. We have lost touch with how to do this, and the fatter America becomes the more we run from our own bodies. It is a downward spiral. The biggest “WHY” is that I care, and I believe Wild, Well & Wise can help. It is helping.

What keeps you moving forward?

The biggest “WHY” (above) keeps me moving forward.

What advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?

Follow what stirs your soul. It’s the voice and yearning inside that itches at you and won’t leave you alone. Listen to it. This voice, this yearning, is your muse. Listen deeply, and with patience, and then follow it. Follow it and stay with it. You will know when you are on the right path when your creative energy is flowing, you feel vibrant and alive, and the ‘work’ of your work is working!

What has been your biggest challenge so far and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge has been developing the clarity of vision for Wild, Well & Wise. This goes in part, back to the last question about sacredness. I had to get to a point that I could speak this deeper essence of the work. For a long time, I feared people would be turned off or shy away. I have found that the opposite is true.

We are a hungry people. Our hunger is soul hunger. Part of the challenge to transforming eating is connecting with the hunger of our souls, listening to and honoring our deepest essence, and responding with integrity.

“Soul” is a church word where I come from. I had to get to a point that I felt bold enough to make it a business word, and to make business -honest and prosperous – a soulful endeavor.

What else would you like to tell us about your story?

This work is about change. It’s about getting at the heart of Amerian eating. When we come home we encounter something very sacred. The weave of my personal, educational and professional paths has given me a unique perspective on our relationship wiht our body, eating, and our innermost essence – that realm I call the sacred.

Recovering a sense of the sacred in our lives is, in my opinion, critical to reclaiming well-being. People don’t talk about sacredness very much in the business world. I hope we can change that, because we need that essence of deeper truth and mystery in our lives and in our business models in order for us to align with a sense of integrity.

How are you using the internet and social media to grow your business?

I find Facebook to be the social interface that is working best, though I am very young in my marketing and ‘growth’. I am also using Pinterest with positive responses, and I’ve recently started blogging.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Renee! We are so excited for you and look forward to reading more about your future success.

————-

Connect with Renee on:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Pinterest

Follow What Stirs Your Soul … Patty Gale

I don’t know about you, but it seems like the time from Christmas to now has literally been a blur. It’s May and soon, we are going to be halfway through the year. That is just crazy! School gets out soon and summer will be here before you know it.

This is the first article in our Keeping Summer Simple series in making sure your business doesn’t ‘check out’ for the summer.

My daughter has just about 5 weeks left of school and then it’s summer vacation for her. My entire schedule and routine that I’ve embraced for the last 9 months is about to change in 5 short weeks. Got kids? Running a business? If so, then you can probably relate.

While I’ll make sure she’s involved in some type of activity, (horseback riding for her) I don’t believe in scheduling my kids from sun up to sundown in the summer. I grew up in a time when kids just played outside and made their own fun, so summers for us are more relaxed than they are scheduled. (that is why it’s call summer vacation, right?)

At the same, the last thing I want is for her to sit and watch me work while she’s bored to tears.

Keeping Business Moving Forward

It’s easy to let things slide when all we want to do is go sit by the pool. However, once we let go of the momentum we gained during the winter months, it’s really hard to get it back. (Been there, done that!) We need to make sure our business doesn’t ‘check out’ for the summer, too.

There is an old rule of thumb that states, “What you do in your business today, will affect your business three months down the line.” If you start to let things slide in June, you may not feel the squeeze until September.

Keep it Simple

The key that has worked for me is planning now (before summer gets here) and simplicity. As you probably know by now, I’m a huge believer in keeping business simple, regardless of the industry you’re in. That doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges to get through or new skills to learn…it just means not making things any more complicated than they have to be.

Coming Up Next…

Next up, we’ll be talking about scheduling, planning content and keeping the kids happy without pulling your hair out.

~~~~~~~~~~

How to Survive and Thrive During Summer Slowdown Patty Gale

I’ve been to the top of the Empire State Building, Sears Tower, Twin Towers and even the Eiffel Tower and while I’m not completely afraid of heights, it did take some doing to get get me to to the top of some of those places, (especially the top of the Sears Tower skydeck)

So, when I met Robin on LinkedIn, I knew I absolutely had to share her story because she has created a business of being up in the air… literally.

Robin, please tell our readers about what you do.

What is the name of your company?

The name of my company is Robin Lynch, Aerialist and I launched the business in 2011. I am an aerialist who performs at private parties and events.

Why Did You Choose the Industry that You’re In?

It’s something I just knew I always wanted to do, so I started aerial training in 2004. I trained for a year, took a break for a few years, then got back into training in 2010 and decided to open my own business in 2011.

What do you like most about what you do?

I like pushing myself to learn new drops and being the best at what I can do.

What is your biggest “WHY’ for what you do?

This is something I always wanted to do my whole life and finally got the opportunity to do it. I hail from a business family. My grandfather was a successful entrepreneur and my father was a well-respected business professor in Westchester County. Everything that I have learned from them and from previous employment, I use my business, customer service and marketing skills to enhance my business.

What are your top 3 favorite products and why?

Vitamin Water – Multi- V. I drink this while I train. The Cliffs at Valhalla -they provide the space for me so I can aerial train. My new aerial rig which will allow me to perform outdoors and at venues with no rigging points.

What keeps you moving forward?

Always pushing myself and never being afraid to let go. (No pun intended!)

What advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?

Get an EIN number. Get your business registered. I was shocked by those in my industry who were operating without one. Always be positive when using social media. Never say anything derogatory about customers or clients or yourself. Keep your opinions to yourself. When a customer wants to hire you, they will research you.

When you are saying horrible things on Facebook to get “likes” from your friends, you can potentially lose customers and clients. Contribute positively. Use LinkedIn groups to contribute positively and keep your postings factual

What has been your biggest challenge so far and how did you overcome it?

I gave up training in 2005 to take care of my youngest child who is autistic. In life you have to make sacrifices. I missed doing aerial so much that I returned to training in 2010 and am able to balance my life and provide a good example to my kids.

How are you using the internet and social media to grow your business?

I have my own website. I make connections through LinkedIn. I update on Twitter.

~~~~~~~~

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Robin. We are so excited for you and look forward to reading more about your future success!

————-

Connect with Robin on:

Website | Twitter | LinkedIn

Her New Rig is for Her Aerial Gig Patty Gale

Today, I want to introduce you to Lynnae Bussell. Lynnae and I met on LinkedIn through one of the women’s networking groups and her message is so important for women today. When you read her story, you’ll see why.

What is the name of your company?

Timeless Beauty by His Design

How long have you been with your company, what did did you launch?

2 years, 2011

What type of company / products do you work with?

I own my own image consultant business. I am a certified Christian Image Consultant and Christian Women’s Speaker.

How Did You Get Started in Your Company?

I decided to open my business and ministry because I felt a need to help women find that they are beautifully created both inside and out.

Why Did You Choose the Industry that You’re In?

I choose the fashion industry because there are women who want help with developing a professional appearance. There are also women with in the church that need to know that they can be fashionable and godly at the same time.

What do you like most about what you do?

Helping women to develop an outward style that reveals their inner beauty.

What is your biggest “WHY’ for what you do?

My biggest “why” for what I do is reach others with the love of Christ. It also seeing women discover their personal inner beauty and learning how to reflect that beauty where others can see it.

What are your top 3 favorite products and why?

The top three services I offer are color analysis, body type assessment, accessorizing, and understand your personality style. I teach this information to groups of women ages 30-60 in women’s ministry settings, professional lunch and learn sessions, and girls night out parties.

What keeps you moving forward?

The eye opening response that I receive once someone discover the best colors to wear based on their eye color, hair color and skin tone.

What advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?

Don’t give up on your dreams! Keep pressing forward until you discover your purpose.

What has been your biggest challenge so far and how did you overcome it?

Finding the best way to get share my business. I have developed my networking skills by utilizing face to face contact, net work groups, and online social media contacts,

How are you using the internet and social media to grow your business?

I utilize linkedin, face book and pinterest.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Lynnaee!  We are so excited for you and look forward to reading more about your future success.

Patty

————-

Connect with Lynnae on:

Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Pinterest

‘Keep Pressing Forward Until You Discover Your Purpose’ … meet Lynnae Bussell Patty Gale

How many times have you been to a craft show and wondered how busy the vendors must be with just making all their crafts much less have time to run a business, too?

I can hardly imagine the work that must go into the creating, production, having a life, etc.

Chris Gresh has AND she made it a business to help crafters grow their business.

The name of her company is ‘Craft Showcase.’ Starting in 2010, she works handmade crafts and art created right here in the USA.

Chris’ Story

How Did You Get Started in Your Company?

I was at one of my favorite craft shows that I have not been able to get to in years due to a busy schedule. I was looking around and talking to vendors about what they would like to see and they all kept saying another avenue to increase sales. This was the start of Craftshowcase.

Why Did You Choose the Industry that You’re In?

The talent of the Arts and Creative people get over looked, but these are real people that have small business. They are creative and sometimes do not know how to run their business. That is where I come in.

What do you like most about what you do?

Being the first to see the items as we get them ready to sell on the site. The talent and creativity is so overwhelming that I am honored to help these type of individuals

What is your biggest “WHY’ for what you do?

I love to share and teach. I am a people person. As I grow with this business I see a need to train them on areas they may have not learned and guide them on how to run their businesses. I want to make a movement to teach the public that buying handmade and supporting these type of business creates jobs in their communities.

What are your top 3 favorite products and why?

I can not choose three, I have many talented Artist and Craft Professionals. The handmade is growing and I love to give unique gifts it truly comes for the heart and not off a shelf at the big box stores

What keeps you moving forward?

There are many days I look in the mirror and say what am I doing, but at that moment my phone rings or a order comes in. When I send that order off to the vendor I hear joy and enthusiasm. When I talk to vendors I hear where have you been we need someone like you. And at the moment I know I am finally on the right path in my life. It may take some of us many years to figure this out but when we do there is no stopping us.

What advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?

Find something you have passion for. The research that passion. Find a niche within that passion. Then create a business that you will enjoy and be enthusiastic and share your knowledge with to help others on this passion.

What has been your biggest challenge so far and how did you overcome it?

When you deal with the Artist and Craft community you must build respect. When you come out and say you want to help they back off, why they have burned so many times. I am not that person so sharing my knowledge has been helping gain the respect through this community.

What else would you like to tell us about your story?

It is never to late to follow your dreams, some people feel that life has left them and live in routine day in and day out. Now is the time to take that day and create a new one.

How are you using the internet and social media to grow your business?

I am using social media all the time, and with our website we allow vendors to post items on our site. In about 30 days we will be revealing the next phase of our Made in the USA movement.

~~~~~~

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Chris! We’re excited to see what you’re going to be revealing with your Made in the USA movement. Please keep us posted and thanks so much for all you do!

Patty Gale

————-

Connect with Chris Gresh on:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Pinterest

“It’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Dreams…” Meet Chris Gresh Patty Gale