Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Terri Ireland, Owner of Healing Hands Metaphysical Store, located in Idaho Falls, ID, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is all about spiritual wellness. We are a brick-and-mortar metaphysical store, carrying all the tools one might need to find and follow your spiritual path. We carry singing bowls, incense, books, crystals, tapestries, altar tools, and candles. We are a safe space for many to discover, learn, and ask questions. In addition to being a retail store, we offer spiritual readings, energy healings, classes, and many large annual events with occult/metaphysical themes. We are located in a predominantly religious and conservative part of the U.S., and so we pride ourselves on providing that safe space of expression and community for those in our area that feel closeted.
Tell us about yourself
I have led an illustrious life, and this endeavor is one on a long list. I have worked as a geologist, archaeologist, paleontologist, scientist, and engineer. I have discovered the most northerly pottery shard from desert southwest cultures to be found here in Idaho. I have found the first archaeological evidence of grain preparation (a large stone mano and metate') by the local indigenous cultures (Bannock and Shoshone).
I have been a farmer, a rodeo competitor, and a drag racer. I helped build the NASA craft New Horizons (the mission to Pluto), Mars rover Curiosity, and early preliminary work on the future manned base on our moon. Since I am also a medium, an energy healer, and a spiritualist, I purchased Healing Hands as an early retirement gift/project for myself and turned it into the local cultural icon it is now.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have several accomplishments that I am really proud of, and they both help to foster tolerance and spread acceptance for spiritually marginalized folk. First, I created and later sold a wonderful publication to serve the needs of the worldwide spiritual community named Metaphysical Times. It was a pagan newspaper, available in print and electronic editions. When I sold it, I had distributors in 45 states and 4 countries, and column space was prized among writers worldwide.
Next, I personally mentored over thirty other spiritually-inclined businesses and provided incubation space for them to learn, grow and hone their craft. They have each successfully launched their own sites now and help provide a great deal more social and spiritual diversity for this area.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things for me as a business owner is letting an employee go. I take it too personally and ponder it for too long. When you have communicated expectations verbally and in writing and refreshed those often, and an employee still doesn't perform, it must be done. But it always hurts my heart, and it isn't done lightly.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Allow your intuition to lead you. Your ego will only bring envy, jealousy, fear, doubt, and "what if" thinking.
- Wish success for others in your field; they are not your competition; they are your comrades.
- Mind your thoughts and self-talk. They manifest into real things quickly, so manifest what you desire!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.healinghandsidaho.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healinghandsidaho/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healinghandsmetaphysical/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healinghandsmetaphysical
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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