Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julia Mikk, Founder of Breath of Love Institute, located in Boulder, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Breath of Love Institute is created for women and men who want to step into their greater purpose as healers, guides, facilitators, teachers, yogis, and visionaries. They can feel something bigger and more meaningful calling them in their life, yet they are stuck in self-doubt, stress, and self-sabotage, unable to fully move forward. Through the Breath of Love Leadership Trainings and monthly Membership Circles, our participants go through deep transformational processes releasing old trauma, familiar fears, and limiting beliefs so they can fully know their worth, embody peace, claim the power of their soul's gifts and live their purpose the way they are meant to.
Tell us about yourself
I first started 20 years ago while going through my own healing. I was stuck in a dark night of my insecurities, fears, and feeling that I was not good enough to do anything meaningful with my life. I even had anorexia for a long while, which was an extreme expression of how not good enough I felt. I was working hard to 'make myself beautiful,' and of course, it was not helping. The power of certain Breath practices and meditation awakened me out of my misery. I also started sitting with my spiritual teacher Gangaji which resulted in several spiritual awakenings that were unbearably direct, profound, and life-changing.
After remembering who I was beyond this body, mind, and personality, I fully knew my greater purpose in life. And, I knew that a big part of it was to help other people awaken out of their suffering too. I wished this blissful serenity for all - for everyone to discover the beauty of their soul and feel the power of their true being. The combination of breath, remembering who I really was, and meditation gave rise to the modality I started calling Breath of Love. I had to work through many of my fears and old traumas to find my way home to my own Soul Gifts. And, I could see that the same tools and skills that helped me could also help many others.
The Breath of Love Practice was the most direct way to do it. To this day, I have clients who come from all over the world saying that no therapy, meditation, or yoga helped them to this degree. Breath of Love Work is where they could not just understand but also EMBODY the freedom, peace, and purpose like never before. This is the highest motivation I can have every day - my clients' and workshop participants' stories and breakthroughs. Each of these stories is a big burst of inspiration for me, giving me the motivation to bring my work to more and more people worldwide.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is that I have done a good job keeping the work-life balance. After burning myself completely out about 15 years ago and getting very sick for two years (which resulted in losing absolutely everything!) I learned an important lesson: I need to create success with ease.
I have been dedicated to this since then, and I am proud that I have done a good job with that!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, the hardest thing is the temptation to overwork myself. To be a martyr - not caring enough about my own well-being so that I can help others.
I did that all the way through in the first part of my career, which led to me being burnt out, bulimic, and very sick. I had been pushing myself for years trying to help others, but along with that came the harsh reality of hurting myself.
I see that in many business owners, especially those who are kind and compassionate. Those who want to make the world a better place. Just like me, they need to remember to focus on themselves more.
Giving from an overflowing cup - that's my motto now. The more I prioritize my own health, well-being, and joy, the more I have energy, creativity, and the capacity to help others (and create success as a business owner).
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Focus on your greatest passion in life. Know that this is where your brilliance will shine the most.
- Invest in skillful guidance and support from a coach, mentor, or guide. Someone who has created something similar to what you want to create. They can shorten the journey to success for you. It takes unnecessarily long, and it's way too hard to try to figure it out by yourself.
- Know that you do not have to give away your peace or well-being to create success. It can come with more ease than you think. Don't listen to the advice of those who are successful yet burnt out. Or those who are financially well-off but on anti-depressants. Do you really want to follow in their footsteps? Learn from those who are not only accomplished in business but who also have peace of mind, great health, and satisfying relationships in their lives because true wealth is having it all - well rounded well-being in every area. This is where you will feel truly fulfilled.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.breathoflove.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreathofLoveInstitute
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breathofloveinstitute/
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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