Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ivy Lee, Founder of Luminae Wellness, located in Oakland, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I founded my business Luminae Wellness to help people feel empowered in health and in life. I have a brick-and-mortar space in Oakland, California, where I practice Chinese Medicine and offer acupuncture treatments and herbal guidance. I also offer virtual health consults, life coaching, and workshops for clients who live around the country and world. I have an apothecary of handcrafted herbal and plant spirit blends for wellbeing. My expertise is in women's health, so many of my clients are seeking support for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, menstrual cycle issues, and reproductive health. I also have clients who are seeking support with alchemizing emotions, navigating changes and transitions, and finding alignment in life.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up with Chinese Medicine from my family and understood that health isn't just about treating illness and disease, but rather that health is maintained and optimized through regular care and daily practices. I experienced a system of healthcare that views symptoms as meaningful signs of how the body is out of balance, and I believe that the body is intelligent and capable of miraculous healing when it is supported in coming back to balance. I was raised with the perspective of how everything is interconnected and how your health affects all areas of life: your relationships, your career, your path and purpose, your greatest expression, and your joy. I practice medicine from a framework of health that sees the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual as interconnected. The offerings of my business are designed to support you as a whole person in your health and your life journey.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Staying true to my vision. In the United States, I saw that Chinese Medicine and acupuncture were altered to gain acceptance in the Western Medicine system and Western mindset. I wanted to practice and share about Chinese Medicine in a way that was true to the cultural and nature-based spiritual roots because I believe it is so valuable to have a holistic perspective of health. There is a lot of challenge and pressure when it comes to doing something that hasn't been done before, that looks different than or is completely opposite of what other people are doing. It can be scary not knowing how things will be received or if they will be successful. I'm proud of how I've been very intentional in designing my business and how I've made choices that feel heart aligned and authentic.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I have a toddler, and it's hard to balance motherhood and to run a business. I wanted to prioritize raising my daughter and being present with her, and to be able to do that; I needed to slow down the pace of my business and postpone a lot of projects. I'm grateful for the flexibility that I have in working for myself, and I know that things will happen when the time is right.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Know who you are. Have a circle of people you can turn to for support. Prioritize your self-care and energetic attunement because everything you do is an extension of you.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Our society and world are going through tremendous change, and it's important to remember that our businesses are interconnected with it all, not separate from it. So in these times, it's important to not ignore what is happening but instead embrace the opportunity and responsibility of being conscious of how we are contributing to positive change. As business leaders, we have a powerful platform to influence our community.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.luminaewellness.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luminaewellness/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luminaewellness
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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