Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Pilar Chandler, Founder of Pilar's Wellness Collective, located in Costa Mesa, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the founder of Pilar's Wellness Collective and Herbal Apothecary. We are a group of dedicated healers, herbalists, Ayurvedic specialists, and massage therapists serving the community in Orange County, California. We specialize in women's health, prenatal massage, acupuncture, and fertility. We also have specialists who support injury rehab and prevention and overall health and wellness. We house Orange County's only organic herbal apothecary with over 250 loose-leaf herbs, powders, and mushrooms for home medicine making. And we are OC's premier V-steaming location.
Tell us about yourself
I've been an herbalist and bodyworker for over 25 years. I started casually studying plant medicine and healing modalities in the 90's. I decided to make it my profession in the early 2000's after a few creative detours and have been on the expanding journey since then. I started my practice and business by working with and under other professionals gaining skills and learning from their mistakes. Then eventually rented my own space and expanded to what we have today. I have developed techniques based on my years of experience, and I now train our practitioners in those methods to help even more people. I have also developed a line of herbal teas and elixirs to support those who can't visit us in person. We ship all over the US!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment is the success of our clients. I could not be in business this long and have grown to the level we have if our treatments and products were not effective. Our client's success is our success! And the fact that they continue to choose us every day for their health and the health of their families means the world to us!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Multi-tasking! The mental load of all the moving parts can be exhausting. The "to-do" list never ends, and you just have to get comfortable with that. Rest anyway if you're tired. Take the break anyway... more is always coming, so learn to rest instead of quitting.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Most businesses that have the staying power started small and grew "slowly." People don't often like to hear this because this requires you to have vision, patience, and stamina. What you see in my business took 20+ years of HARD WORK to get to. Yes, things can happen overnight, but real growth takes time and the right conditions.
- Hold on to the big vision that you have, but don't forget all the little details. Break your dream down into bite-sized attainable goals. Chip away daily, weekly, etc., and one day you will have built a solid foundation.
- I think there are a couple of ways (probably way more!) to look at business... does your community need what you have to offer? Or what does your community need that you want to provide? If your offering is inflexible, then go where that is needed, or adapt your offering to what your community needs.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.pilarswellnesscollective.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pilarswellnesscollective/
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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