Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sam Plovie, Founder of QiPro Sam, located in Victoria, BC, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Schooled in the 5 Chinese Arts - Feng Shui, BaZi, Mian Xiang, Qi Men Dun Jia, and Tai Chi, I help people remove the barriers that sabotage their success. My clients are people who understand we are more than we see, that success isn't an excel spreadsheet or diploma and that everything in life happens for us, not to us... Feng Shui is understanding how your environment affects you, and I tap into Feng Shui to harmonize people's homes, align their corporate spaces and increase wealth opportunities and growth. BaZi (Chinese Astrology) is all about understanding who you are, who you were born to be, and how to work with your strengths to achieve the life you want. Primarily, I implement BaZi for people considering big life changes, re-grounding themselves to their true purpose, and finding themselves when they have become lost... Mian Xiang (Chinese Face Reading) works closely with BaZi as the face is the outer display of who we are... Particularly useful in Human Resource Departments, as a resume can exaggerate skills, whereas the BaZi & Mian Xiang are the core truths. Qi Men Dun Jia is top shelf ~ it is a highly complex strategy system that determines outcomes which I activate for corporate moves, difficult life decisions, and investment potentials. I am a Sifu of Yang Style Tai Chi, and I teach so people can learn to harness their own internal power and craft better Qi flow through their bodies. When Qi flows smoothly through the home, the business, the body, the mind, and the soul ~ life is powerfully optimal!

Tell us about yourself

My journey into Chinese Metaphysics began when my children were small, and I volunteered in various groups. I noticed that some groups just didn't get ahead, never got the award, won the scholarship, and often had issues within the organization... I could see the people themselves were capable, so that wasn't the problem, so what was...? I wandered into a bookstore, saw 'Feng Shui For Dummies, and bought it out of curiosity... I loved the beginning, but by halfway, I could see the inconsistencies/inadequacies of Western Feng Shui... so I went searching. I read a great article by Master Teresa Hwang and arranged to meet her. I shared my desire to learn the true qualities of Chinese Metaphysics, and she became my mentor. I learned quickly; it was all second nature to me, logical, and made sense, and I became a Lecturer for a Chinese Metaphysics School out of Toronto. As I began to train students and learn more, I could see there was another way to bring this information forward, and I created one of the first online schools for learning Chinese Metaphysics.

This was an uphill battle, as Asian Masters are specific and rely heavily on the classics... and I knew modernizing how the information was delivered crucial to future growth. I left the school, and I love that my approach is easier to understand, entertaining, and yet completely true to the core. When I assist people, I see everything, all the personal bits, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and my loyal core of clients stays with me for my empathy, truth, and my ability to guide them from the sidelines. My motivation comes from my clients 100% ~ and owning my own business has allowed me the freedom to live life outside 9-5 and embrace each day for all its wonders. My motivation is the sunrise, the beach walks, and the smiles of complete strangers who respond to my smile as we walk past each other.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I adore the independence and freedom that comes from running my own business! I am involved in all aspects of my business; I love my blogs, podcasts, and the technical side of my website ~ I'm always learning from my tech team ~ and I inhale new learnings! Altering the trajectory of people's lives, showing them how to break free of what holds them back, and stop repeating what isn't working (but feels comfortable) is bloody awesome! I am very proud of my relatability with my clients. I have walked the path of life, experienced tremendous highs and dark lows. I do not talk down to them with technical terms that exude power and title (I do not use the title Master, I am Sam). I embrace them for who they are and give them real-time analogies relating to their life and situation. I know I have reshaped the online world and devised a unique Forecasting system (QiCast) that others are now emulating... but there is only one Sam.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Navigating our new financial global landscape, creating cash flow in a world where everyone is cautious about their spending and a recession is looming. This inspires me to provide more value, to showcase the value as people need me more than ever... but may not realize that (yet). Working alone in my office can be tough; I have to devise ways to network and make new connections in a world that are still hesitant to connect and yet desperately wants to...

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. As Oscar Wilde so eloquently said: "Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken" It's so easy to copy what's out there, to align to trends ~ but that's where you lose yourself... Whatever your business is, someone else is doing it, but the secret to your success is 'you.'
  2. You can't run your business on your passion; it won't pay the bills... Understand your passion is your fuel, your motivation, but it is not your business. Identify what your clients want, and give it to them.
  3. The only limitations you have are the limitations you place on yourself. Read that again.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://qiprosam.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qiprosam/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qiprosam/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qiprosam/


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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.