Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Amy Miranda, Owner of Amy Miranda Healing Arts, located in Toronto, ON, Canada
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I usually tell people that my business is a wonderful specialist or a Spiritual Guidance Counsellor. I do magic for a living. I'm an executive producer by trade, but I focus these days on the Healing Arts. I help people move from trauma to triumph and turn poison into medicine. My clients range from artists, authors, entrepreneurs, and creators to survivors of trauma and those in recovery.
The work is sacred, but I try to have a sense of humor about it because I work in a lot of dark territories. A lot of spiritual work is heavy and can leave people feeling too "woo-woo." I always say it's not woo-woo, it's you-you. We're meant to use all of our capabilities. So I remind people of their magic. I've never met anyone who didn't carry their unique brand of spectacular.
Tell us about yourself
I was always a creative person and wasn't much for school. I left film school at Sheridan to start my career at CNN.com in 1998. I worked my way through the media business, and then after the dot com, Deadpool ended up finding myself in Advertising. I was a Producer and Executive Producer for about 25 years. I founded my first company, Lunch, in 2009. I wanted to make producing things as easy as ordering Lunch. Through collaborating with artists and being outside of patriarchal business structures for the first time, I realized I needed some work on my trauma. I'd had lots of it. I'd lost my best friend two days before my 19th birthday and had found myself running from my pain. I'd been an addict, an alcoholic, and through starting my own business, I was finally able to realize that I'd been addicted to working and I'd been repeating unhealthy patterns.
Finally, I had some room as my own boss to do some trauma work. Through this, I was able to connect the dots enough to realize that the trauma started long before losing my best friend. I'd been abused by my Father as a kid. Through my own healing work, it became clear to me that I'd produced enough amazing things and that it was time to try to be of service to people like me. I'd struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts most of my life, and once I was walking a path of sobriety and doing the work, I realized I wished there'd been someone like me to talk to. I realized even though I seemed to have made it out of the darkest parts, I couldn't leave anyone else there. I trained in shamanic healing. I am a hereditary witch on both sides. My paternal grandmother's maiden name is literally Pagan.
My great-great-grandfather was a circuit preacher (and recovering alcoholic), so I started to see the patterns in my path, and I believe in following the breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs lead me to start my own practice. In 2017 I started working with trauma survivors and survivors of childhood sexual abuse and hadn't stopped. I work with people who are looking to restore their sense of wonder, authentic power, and purpose. I remind people of their magic. It's really the reason I wake up every day. I have met the most phenomenal people through the work I do. I have watched miracles happen in people's lives when they step into their purpose. Seeing the illumination is the motivator. I bring my experience working with and growing brands and artists to the table when I work with my clients. I'm told that part of my service helps people to see the big picture and really reach for the stars, and that's what I think we're all here for.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner and entrepreneur is being of service and offering a model that isn't rooted in capitalism. I'm big on bartering, trading, and finding mutually beneficial ways of working. I am the same in my production or creative work. I've always been motivated by trying to give back. A rising tide floats all boats. So whether it's the volunteer work I've done with organizations, like The Gatehouse or ArtsCan Circle, or the ability to donate services or offer retreat or workshop scholarships, I think that's the best part. I don't need to answer anyone about having a different way of working. I always joke that I'm a business hippy, especially with the healing focus of my work.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing that can come with being a business owner is driving the direction. When you're leading, you have to know where you're going with healing. This is actually easier than when I produce large productions. I've produced for Paramount Pictures, Red Bull, and Nickelodeon. Those were harder than working with someone's soul. Spirit or Source energy is the smoothest collaborator and colleague that I've met. I love working with people one on one. Sometimes in production, you don't get to see the results of how something impacted people. With healing work, I've got a front-row seat.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My best advice for entrepreneurs starting, growing, and running a business today is:
Stay Agile, don't get too invested in one kind of client or one kind of service. Be open to the market telling you what it needs.
Stay Collaborative. Being a leader doesn't mean you're a dictator. Great ideas come from everywhere, not just from you.
Keep your wonder and inspiration tank full. You can't run a business when you're burned out. Take time for yourself and challenge your skills.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'm working on a book that releases on rising Books in December 2023 based on my practice and retreats called "What We've Forgotten" how to know to reclaim and become your magic. It's about shining a new light on the old ways and hopefully will help break down some of the stigmas of spirituality with a sense of humor. We can't continue to operate as though we don't carry magic. We're all seeing how that's been working for us.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://amymiranda.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatweveforgotten
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsamymiranda/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyMiranda
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amymiranda/
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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