Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anna Choi, Founder of Anna Sun Choi LLC, located in Poulsbo, WA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We serve high achieving, creative, conscious leaders, coaches, and consultants who want to calm the mind chatter, cut through the distraction, and tap into boundless energy so that they find peace in chaos, master their energy, and embody their brilliance through our online workplace wellness energy trainings, SolJoy masterclass, ALIVE membership, and 1:1 coaching.

Tell us about yourself

I'm committed to elevating humanity's consciousness by catalyzing the next generation of conscious business leaders to find inner peace to cause world peace. As a broke art major with zero experience or connections, I started and sold my first business as an impact investing financial planner–grossing six figures by age 25. Two businesses later, while working on faculty for a leading multimillion-dollar global enterprise in personal growth, I became a burned-out "do-gooder." I met my enlightened teachers, spiritual guides, and renowned energy masters, Sai Maa and Ilchi Lee. They set me on a path of self-healing and energy mastery, becoming a certified Dahn Energy Master, Qigong yoga instructor, Brain Power Wellness trainer, and martial arts student.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I feel alive and fulfilled. Before, like many of my high-achieving clients, I struggled with feeling empty no matter what I achieved. Part of that journey was learning self-care. I went from not being willing to spare 5 minutes a day for self-care because "I had no time" and was "too busy" to averaging a minimum of 2 hours of soul time per day, consistently. This includes one hour of silent meditation, 103 bows, yoga, tai chi, and more. But it comes first in the day. Not what I fit in. I prioritize soul first. When we die, you take NOTHING (not even impact) with you except your soul. It's important you cultivate that relationship now than unexpectedly gasping for your last breath in regret of focusing on what really matters.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Escaping the toxic and still accepted hustle and grind culture of entrepreneurs. This must shift, and we're committed to creating a Presence Movement to support that. It's about growing in flow. Harmony with the overly yang culture and allowing more yin intentionally. This means relaxing your brain and body, thriving in the silence of being with Self, and super connecting to Source. For others, this could look like generating six figures working 30 hours a week, taking 6-8 weeks of vacation like I've been able to do. Or it could mean feeling happy. So many of my clients struggle with feeling fulfilled in the face of massive accomplishments. By applying the ancient wisdom of energy principles spanning back 10,000 years, all this is very possible amid our chaotic, uncertain, info-overloaded lives. It's that inner peace in the chaos.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. What's your why? This is critical to carry you through when the illusion of time freedom and passion die as a new entrepreneur with inevitable setbacks and challenges. Making money, more free time, or autonomy will not cut it. My why or purpose is to elevate humanity's consciousness to cause global enlightenment. Very very clear on that and what gets me out of bed.
  2. What's the end game? Are you building a lifestyle business you'll always be part of? Is it a passive revenue income machine that you'll exit/merge/IPO? Or is it a hobby that doesn't matter if it's profitable? Knowing this upfront will inform the decisions you make today.
  3. Is running the business itself your passion, or is it what the business provides your passion? Don't mix the two. All too often, coaches want to coach. Not run a business. Musicians want to sing, not analyze Quickbook reports. If you simply want to do your passion--a job or creating a role in a company may actually be a much more fulfilling role. All too often, entrepreneurship is glamorized while you end up handcuffing yourself to an 80-hour-a-week job you now resent. Be clear on what expresses your SOUL most.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

On the outside, I had it all with a loving family, marriage, kids, traveling the world, grossing six figures while taking 9 weeks of vacation – but on the inside, I struggled with feeling empty. I'd lost my mojo. Some days I just wanted to leave this earth to return home to the cosmos. I hid my explosive temper, unhappiness from the chronic stress of many responsibilities, and feeling like I lost my spark day to day. What used to matter success was no longer did–and while my purpose was clear, how to best express that was not. Simply having fun was not at the top of my list (only allowed on vacations), and I resented my husband, who seemed to put that first.

Then I discovered my passion to sing, dance, and be creative. Always there as hobbies, I never made time for them since there was no ROI. As soon as I invested in what made me happy, the inner joy of simply being alive returned in full throttle. I healed an estranged relationship with my dad, I put my son back in private school, I got signed on with a book publisher, I began singing and dancing daily, working with professional musicians to produce my first album, and I began using art and energy in my coaching sessions with clients. I became turned on with life once more!

My self-worth was no longer tied to my revenue, Rolodex, or reputation. My soul is taking the full lead with my ego, following with more freedom to be my True Self. I'm here to serve you in creating peace in chaos, distilling over 10,000 hours of transformation and energy coaching over the last two decades into simple, practical tiny steps you can take to master your energy, embody your brilliance, and live a life true to your Highest Self.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://annasunchoi.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annasunchoi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/annachoi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annasunchoi/

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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