Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chelsey Oryniak, Owner of iava wellness, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a wellness clinic offering Massage, Subconscious Imprinting, Reiki, Access Bars, Acupuncture, and Yoga. We have really tried to create a warm, welcoming environment that feels like a safe place for all. We prefer a healing approach that looks at the body, mind, and soul. There is a beautiful place of healing that occurs when eastern and western medicine can be used in unison.
Tell us about yourself
I started out my career as a massage therapist, unsure of where I wanted to go from there. As the years went on, I grew more and more in love with it. Probably seven years into my practice, I developed a curiosity for the energetic side of treatments. I found I had clients with chronic pain whom I would see biweekly with very little lasting relief from their pain and symptoms. From there, I began to get curious about what else could be going on. As I read more and more and took new courses, I learned that the body is really good at carrying our emotions for us when we don't have the time or capacity to work through them. Clients I talked with knew they carried stress on their shoulders, but what about all the other feelings we have throughout the day? Now in my practice, I do a lot of combo treatments of Subconscious imprinting, Reiki, and Massage. I prefer to release and work with the emotional side, then move on to the physical body. My clients have seen amazing success with these combo treatments. This greatly motivates me. Seeing the changes in their lives is very rewarding. I have loved to help others for as long as I can remember, and I just feel like I have found my own unique way to do so with my treatments.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
One of the biggest accomplishments as a business owner was opening our doors six weeks before covid closed everything down in 2020. This was a very trying time to just open up, then have to close up shop for three months. The fact that we made it through that closure and business just continues to grow to fill my heart up. Makes me feel proud of what I have created and shows that there was a demand for the vision I had
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Learning to trust in those around you and delegate or ask for help when you need to. Hiccups and issues always seem to arise at very inconvenient or busy times. As a working practitioner still, I spend a good part of my day in the treatment room with clients, which has taught me that I need to trust and rely on the rest of my team. They are capable and care as well and let go of that fear to ask for help when it's needed.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- The power of social media absolutely amazes me; it has been an amazing tool to utilize to grow and network with others in the community.
- When starting up a business, things always take way longer than anyone predicts. I would say double the time that you are given to have the most realistic timeline, whether it be permitting, construction, or launching new things. Things always take way longer than I would have thought.
- Be your authentic self. Authenticity goes a long way in your business, and people appreciate the realness of it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://iavawellness.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iavawellness/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iavawellness/
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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