Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lidia Alcantara Burns, Holistic Health Practitioner of Amethyst, located in Perth, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Amethyst Wellness And Holistic Retreat and Spa. I am a Reiki Master certified in Culinary art and a holistic and wellness therapist who specializes in weight loss.
What I do:
I perform healing therapies, which include meditation with singing bowls, inner child healing, mindfulness, food nutrition, and holistic and integrative health with over 19 years of experience in the wellness industry and extensive knowledge in the holistic area, specifically physical, mental, and spiritual as a whole, and the interconnection of mind, body, and soul.
My mission is to make this world a more compassionate and loving place by inspiring women to be empowered and to heal themselves in order to live healthier, happier, and longer life. I help women lose weight, improve digestion, and develop a healthy relationship with food. I focus on helping women make peace with their past and embrace the present with love and compassion without judgment. Having the right mindset will help them to create the best version of themselves. My clients are women over 40 looking to know more about themselves to improve digestion and overall health.
Tell us about yourself
I started in the world of wellness in 2004, but it was in 2012 that I started to take nutrition courses in the United States. I've always been passionate about cooking, but I had never learned about nutrition before. I took my first nutrition class, but it wasn't that impactful to me until I made the decision to take more intensive studies in holistic and integrative nutrition, which led me to learn about myself. I started listening to my body and understanding what was happening in my body when I ate a specific type of food. I became aware of my sensitivity to gluten and dairy. When I started removing these foods from my diet, my life completely changed.
My skin improved, and my belly was no longer bloated. By removing all the food that was causing inflammation in my body, my whole life changed. The pain and mental fog disappeared, and the energy in my body intensified. It was a drastic change, and I really did not imagine the effect that food had on our bodies. There is a big difference between eating and being fed. It is one thing to eat to feel satisfied, but it is quite another to eat to feed yourself and be nourished and healthy.
It is very important to understand the difference between nutrients and calories. By learning to take into account what we eat and the effect that these foods have on our body, we can influence our mood, mental processes, and our entire body's function. This experience was what led me to unite my passion for culinary art with nutrition and holistic therapy. My goal is to bring balance between the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is persistence, especially in another country and in another language since my country of origin is the Dominican Republic and my native language is Spanish, and having a positive impact on my clients' lives.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the most difficult things to undertake is having to put on all the hats in the beginning. Being CEO, Marketing, Sales, Public Relations, Customer Service, Therapist, etc., it was overwhelming until I learned to delegate and focus on what I'm really good at.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Trust yourself; may your values be your guide.
- Have a plan and be clear about what you want and where you want to go.
- Be persistent, and never stop learning and evolving and knowing that It's okay to ask for help.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.amethystholisticspa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticwellnessspa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amethystholisticspa/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lidiawellnessholisticspa/
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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