Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brenda Austin, Founder of Now and Zen Bodyworks, located in Addison, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Now and Zen Bodyworks is a conscious massage studio that provides various healing modalities and spiritual services along with our intentional products. We bring massage and spirituality together to create an ambient experience bringing the client back to wholeness. We specialize in promoting a healthy lymphatic system. The overall goal is to provide the customers with multiple simulating techniques that act as a pump to release metabolic waste naturally throughout the lymphatic system.
With the noise and hustle of everyday life, it can be challenging to connect with your inner self. I experienced this firsthand, and that's why I created the Zen in Me Box. Our powerful products are handmade and hand-selected with intention. As you browse our online store, look for the products that speak to where you are in your journey. Find love, ground yourself, heal yourself, heal your body and mind, and elevate yourself with candles, teas, and boxed kits made for daily use.
Tell us about yourself
In 2007 graduating from college was a huge accomplishment for myself and my family. However, I could not find a job with my degree. I thought the best thing for me to do was to pursue another degree which I applied to attend Linn State University. The school had several things they required H.S. transcripts, recommendation letters from professors, a letter from me, etc. I sent in everything before the deadline. I was so excited to start my new journey, but there was a setback. The paperwork never reached the school on time, which led me to reapply for the next year.
I took a statistics class that summer to stay ahead of the game. I resubmitted all my paperwork for the following year and waited a whole year to receive a NO again; you didn't get in this semester. Now, I needed answers to my questions about not getting into the school in the second year. I called and emailed the physical therapy department head until she called me back. She loved that I was adamant about getting into the program. She left me with some tips, and she recommended that I take Anatomy and Physiology I & II and Statistics before I reapply. While searching for recommended courses, I came across Metro Business College, which had two classes and was in the town I lived in. Metro Business College is where I applied to obtain my Massage Therapy Certification.
I deal with adversity just like anyone else. Adversity gives my life meaning and gives my life value. Adversity allows me to be the very best version of myself. That wouldn't have been possible without all the mishaps. Adversity to what I call FEAR, I kick and punch FEAR out of my way, which allows me to be vibrant and high to my greatest achievements. Failure motivates me. The fear of failing forward each and every day motivates me to be better than I was before. I love to listen to podcasts and motivational speakers.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment was being a new massage company and being given the opportunity to massage some players that are with the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. My personal passion is Sports Massage therapy, being that I am a formal athlete. I have also massaged nationally known comedians and local celebrity artists in the last four years.
Creating a method that assists with healing the lymphatic system named The NAZB Method. Also, creating a school for licensed massage therapists called NAZB Academy, Zen in Me Box, and writing a book named Brenda's Autobiography: From the Life of Spa Owner and Educator Brenda Austin: The Story of a Great Recession CEO.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing in getting to where I'm now in my profession is people trusting and respecting my profession. As a business owner you have to juggle a lot of different tasks and put on a lot of different hats. There's jealousy in every profession. People want to cheer you to failure and see your downfalls. I think that it's very important to stay in your own lane. We are all running a steeplechase race with one goal in mind: to get to the end of the race to success. We are faced with many obstacles in our paths. You have a couple of options when running your business. You can choose to stop at the obstacle, run right, run left, or you can jump over them with ease.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Never stop learning - Read books, and listen to podcasts and audiobooks.
- Continue to evolve - Never be the smartest person in the room.
- Get out of your comfort zone - Being uncomfortable in everyday life challenges you not to be stagnant.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.nowandzenbodyworks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NowNZenBodyworks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowandzenbodyworks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NowNZenBodywork
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-austin-10a13416/
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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