Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Towanda McEachern, Founder of A Life Recycled, located in Newark, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The name of the business is A Life Recycled. I work with women to help them to heal from their past, move into their present and prepare for their future so they can live the life they want. I create workshops and experiences for women to help them heal and transform their lives. My customers are primarily women who live in urban communities, more so African American women who are looking to get unstuck and better their lives.
I recently opened up an Empowerment Studio for women to be able to provide a safe space for women to grow. I wanted women to have a space where they can create their content, record, podcast, have workshops, and do things that cater specifically to women.
Tell us about yourself
I have been a property manager for over 20+ years, and my tenants used to come into my office with various issues and concerns, from being unable to pay their rent to domestic violence. I found myself having one-on-one conversations with each of them that, unbeknownst to me, were actually coaching sessions. I discovered a commonality with each person I would speak with; at the root, they were all dealing with the same thing, self-worth, rejection, insecurity, trust, and abandonment issues. I recognized them because those were some of the same things I had to work through.
I decided to start teaching personal development workshops in groups and bring women together to help them work through the process of healing from the issues that plague them. I found myself saying the same things to each of them and realized a community of women together would be a more effective use of my time instead of one on ones. In addition, I wanted them to see they were not alone.
What motivates me is knowing this is what I've been called to do. My every waking moment is about how to help women heal and transform their lives. What people don’t realize is it spills out into our everyday life if not dealt with. I see it every day; it screams at me loud - this is what God has called me to do, and that is what fuels me. I have a burning desire to see women whole, and I have a burning desire to see women heal because I know that that's the difference in them living a different and better life.
We carry around a lot of pain in our bodies from past trauma, leaving people stuck. I realized when I started my personal development journey that my life was changing. I got new information and knowledge that changed my life, which was the difference. That's what motivates me to do what it is that I do.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment was opening the Empowerment Studio and believing that I could.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Juggling multiple tasks, creating and sticking to the systems I put in place. I am a creative, and I have so many ideas of things I want to do; my ideas have ideas. I have to learn how to stay focused on the business at hand.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have clear goals and objectives; otherwise, you will be all over the place.
- Stay focused on what it is that you need to do.
- Be consistent and create boundaries in your day regarding your home, personal life, and your business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.aliferecycled.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Empowermentstudionj/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowermentstudionj/
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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