Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jessica Shepherd, owner of Jessica Shepherd, Author & Healer, located in Honolulu, HI, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Aloha! I am an author and healer based in Honolulu, Hawaii. My most recent project is creating the Intuitive Energy Divination Deck, a card deck and energy system designed to help you to listen inward and trust your own intuitive wisdom - your Divine True Self. I've walked the path of Guide for others for two decades. I was a professional astrologer and wellness coach. Then, I experienced an awakening of Awareness that put me outside my comfort zone on so many levels! At that point, I realized I am an empath and energy sensitive, and this foundational shift led me into new terrain as an Intuitive. Right now, I write for and teach those who want to learn how to more fully embody their intuition to become their own best Intuitive Guide. I am very interested in helping people to trust their own Inner Connection.
I am also the author of the self-help and spirituality books: A Love Alchemist's Notebook: Magical Secrets for Drawing Your True Love Into Your Life (Llewellyn Publishing), Venus Signs: Discover Your Erotic Gifts and Secret Desires Through Astrology (Llewellyn Publishing), Karmic Dates & Momentary Mates: The Astrology of the Fifth House (Moonkissd), Follow the Moonlit Path: Come Home to Yourself in the Astrological Fourth House (Moonkissd).
Tell us about yourself
My life as an entrepreneur began when I became too ill to work at the job I'd been in. I was working at University as an assistant. I was very under-employed. By this, I mean almost none of my skill set- creativity, intuition, caring, artfulness, self-expression- was employed there. Fortunately for me (and I say this very tongue-in-cheek), I experienced too much chronic pain to stay in that environment. The day I quit was also the day I got a call from a company offering to pay me to write astrological articles and reports. Thus began my life as a professional writer!
Nowadays, I take things day by day. I don't have a lot of survival pressure on me, and I feel extremely fortunate in this because here lays the mixed blessing of having chronic pain. It has also freed me into a full life by releasing me from many unnecessary pressures and burdens. Moving to Hawaii was also very freeing for me. Not only does the environment and culture feel more aligned with who I am, but it has also helped me to let go of a lot of the cultural "shoulds" about accomplishment, status, calling, and purpose and instead just relax into who I AM.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishments are my creative works. Given that I am not only a writer and author but also a self-publisher and designer, I'm flat-out amazed they come into being. The learning curves are steep! When I was a kid, reading novels, I'd always imagined a team of people doing stuff- like there's no possible way I would've ever imagined how much work it is to birth a creative work. Now I'm the one doing it all. This fact makes it easy to go easy on me!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I'd say the hardest thing about being a solo entrepreneur is falling into the trap of believing you are alone and have to do it all. The gig economy has made it easier to hire out. I can forget that, though, and feel utterly overwhelmed by what I'd like to do versus my limited energy.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My first tip would be to make sure you love what you do. That is a MUST. Because while it's a joy, it's also hard. You will need to self-motivate, and there will be learning curves.
Secondly, don't believe anyone else's success is more or better than yours. There's a lot of illusion out there, plenty of "millionaires" and "experts" on tap. People have always thought I'm more successful (financially and otherwise) than I actually am.
Third, you are the value. It doesn't matter how much you make. Doing it with joy is what it is all about.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.moonkissd.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Moonkissd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica.shepherd.author.healer/
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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