Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kajal Dhabalia, founder of Wholesome Soul, located in Palo Alto, CA, USA.

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

Hi, my name is Kajal Dhabalia, and I'm a creative strategist + well-being coach that helps soulful women thrive in life and business. As a creative strategist, I enjoy partnering with heart-based businesses (individuals or organizations whose central mission is to do good in the world) to build and grow their business through their brand identity, website presence, and an overall strategy so that they can clearly communicate what they offer, consistently attract their ideal clients and customers, confidently raise their prices and consciously align their business with their true vision. So that, ultimately, they can make the impact and income they've always wanted while saving time and stress through the process! And, as a certified well-being coach, I offer 1:1 coaching, classes, and ongoing inspiration to help everyday soulful humans create daily self-care and mindset practices that nourish their whole being so that as life's constant ups and downs unfold, they're able to ride those waves as equipped, skilled and inspiring forces of nature. You can learn more about these services at www.wholesomesoul.com.

Tell us about yourself

As a previous program director for an international meditation center, a current small business owner, and a 20-year background in graphic design + illustration, I bring to the table an immense amount of creativity and a sharp eye for detail, as well as a whole lot of structure, clarity, and strategy to the actual design, marketing, and business process. But most importantly, I understand the complicated world of entrepreneurship, how intense everyday life can be, and the toll it can take on one's well-being. Therefore, I have a deep appreciation for non-negotiable self-care and well-being practices that are truly a bedrock for personal and professional success, happiness, and growth.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I would say my biggest accomplishment as a business owner is to have my business evolve with me as I've grown. After working for an international yoga + meditation organization for six years, in 2012, I started Wholesome Soul as a personal blog. A place where I could share recipes + reflections as an everyday yogini. In 2013, I introduced collections of art + gifts to help yoginis take the inspiration found on the mat into their everyday lives. In 2017, Wholesome Soul officially became my creative design boutique, where I added design + strategy services to help holistic professionals grow their businesses while still creating collections of art + gifts to help everyday soulful women stay inspired and connected to the divine. At that time, my work was featured in magazines like Yoga Journal, Spirituality + Health, and Day Spa Magazine. Then in 2020, when the pandemic hit, my life was turned upside, and I had to close my online store. As unexpected and hard as that transition was, it also opened up a new door for me. It inspired me to become a Chopra Certified Total Well-being Coach + Ayurveda/Meditation Educator. The perfect next step that's allowed me to formalize my life experiences as well as my love for yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda. So then, in 2022, 10 years later, as I've evolved, I'm so proud of Wholesome Soul's evolution as a well-being boutique that specializes in individually tailored self-care to help soulful humans through all seasons of life. While also still enjoy helping entrepreneurs with their branding and strategy work through www.kajaldhabalia.com. Through this combination of creative design services and well-being services, I'm excited and honored to support soulful women to thrive in life and business.

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

Balancing your craft and the thing you LOVE to do while running a business. Two very different things.

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

  1. Know Your Strengths. Knowing what your strengths are and enjoying putting them to good use.
  2. Ask for Help. If there's an area in your business you struggle with, ask for help. Don't try to become an expert on everything. You'll either burn out or never have the time you really wish you had to put toward the work you actually LOVE to do.
  3. Enjoy the Journey. The crazy thing about a business (and life) is that it's a constant journey. There are magical milestones that should be celebrated and enjoyed, but truly the beauty and enjoyment of being an entrepreneur lie in the everyday moments where you get to design a life + business you LOVE.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.kajaldhabalia.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholesome.soul
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholesome.soul/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kajal-dhabalia-9952b62a/

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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