Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dara Rhodes, Owner of The Detox Cottage, located in Vista, CA, USA.

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

I run a small wellness retreat center called The Detox Cottage. Everything we offer here is outside in our lovely garden oasis, and all treatments are focused on opening and moving the detox pathways in the body for improved health. We offer yoga, meditation, breath work, ice baths, sauna, skin cleaning treatments, Gua Sha, cupping, and lymphatic drainage massage. We also have a cottage on the property for overnight stays and extended retreat experiences. For those staying here, we offer food, herbal protocols, health coaching, education on healing, and full support during your detox retreat as well as all other treatments listed. The Detox Cottage is for anyone looking to improve their health, detox their body, and enjoy a little self-care time alone or with loved ones.

Tell us about yourself

I am a regenerative detoxification specialist. I teach people how to detox the body on a cellular level, regenerate on a DNA level, reprogram their subconscious, and heal mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I love working with people, and my passion is to spread knowledge about healing the human body. I have always been inspired by wellness centers that focus on true healing and have had great success with their clients. I wanted to create something like this but on a smaller scale and totally private. We cannot heal in the same environment we got sick in; I believe this is why it’s so helpful to fully immerse yourself in a healthy environment. I don’t feel I need motivation to do what I do because it’s my passion, but if I had to choose, I would say it’s my amazing clients that keep me going.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Being able to do what I love full-time in San Diego is definitely a dream; however, I think building a house with my own two hands (and my dad’s) is definitely my biggest accomplishment. I put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into building that place (literally), and now people from all over stay there to get healthier and just retreat. It’s very rewarding.

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

The hardest thing about being a business owner is getting out of my own way. Truly. We have so many fears that keep us from achieving our dreams. So many traumas that put us into freeze mode when things get overwhelming. It takes discipline to keep moving forward, even when things get tough. It takes self-work and healing to get past your fears.

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

  1. Just start, don’t wait until you know enough, or until you finish that course, or anything else. Just start. Fail, learn, try again, repeat. Eventually, you will get there.
  2. You’re not lazy! Your nervous system just doesn’t have the capacity to live out your dreams. It is so important to heal your body, especially your nervous system. This includes eating healthy, sleeping on time and at least 8 hours, drinking plenty of pure water, ditching caffeine - it’s not real energy it’s borrowed from tomorrow, eating fruits - don’t be afraid of it; it’s pure energy and minerals, get outside in the sun, meditate, exercise, move, etc. When the nervous system is balanced, you will have the motivation and energy to do what you need to do, trust me.
  3. Clarity. Get clarity! You can have all the motivation in the world, but if you don’t know what you want to do or how it’s useless.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thedetoxcottage.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedetoxcottage
Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/d.r.holistics/
Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/thedetoxcottage/


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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