“Business” isn’t spiritual…
August 15th, 2008 | Published in Authenticity In Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Strategy | 6 Comments
I had a great conversation with a colleague last night. We were talking about marketing, business, and how he has been able to build his practice - his next adventure is into the world of internet marketing.
We got on the subject of how healing arts practitioners and holistic business owners view marketing and all of this business “stuff.” And we both agreed that there is a mis-conception out there that marketing is not spiritual. “Business” is not spiritual, and making money is not spiritual.
Rusty said something that really struck a chord with me. He said he has talked to many practitioners, and a majority of them are out here with full time jobs slowly trying to eek out a part time living from their business because they don’t treat their business like a business.
I agree.
I agree, because I was in that position when I had my healing practice. I remember being completely closed minded about the idea that I - a healer - was building a business. Who was I Donald Trump?? NO!! I was Jenn - Reiki practitioner, aromatherapist… my work in the world was precious - and really made a difference - how dare anyone suggest that I was building a *gasp* business! And you don’t want to know about the big fight I had with hubby when he suggested I actually start marketing myself - ACK!
The truth is though, I was, in fact building a business - whether I wanted to admit it or not. Then, the truths were:
1. I wanted to be working in my practice full time. Which meant that somewhere inside of me - even though I didn’t want to admit it, I wanted that practice to be financially supporting me - I wanted to be making money.
2. I had to get the word out about my practice. The Universe was quite supportive, but I needed to be the one taking the physical action to initiate the Universal support. The problem was - I was REALLY shy. I didn’t want to talk about myself - I was nervous, never knew what to say, and didn’t want people to feel like I was being pushy.
3. My practice grew very S-L-O-W because I didn’t treat it like a business. And when I say slow - I mean, painfully slow.
4. I had a marketing background - I understood how to do it, but I refused to believe I needed it for a long time.
Here is what I’ve learned:
1. Having a practice that financially supports you is necessary. Your work is needed in the world - absolutely. In order for you to do your best work, you need to feel secure, happy and joyful. If you are worried about money, or you are in lack mentality- how can you show up and be fully present for your clients? Having that support from your practice is necessary.
2. Your practice is a business, and you need to learn how to treat it like one. Business can be spiritual. Just because you’re in a “business” doesn’t mean you automatically change who you are at your core. If you are loving, caring, good-hearted, and deeply interested in helping people - then that’s what kind of business owner you will be.
3. Once you learn how to treat your practice like a business - it will turn around and start supporting you. When you are doing the exact right things to get your name out there and build your nation, your practice or business goes from tiny part-time hobby to big beautiful full-time support for everyone that you want to serve. (Note: that doesn’t happen over-night, so don’t quit your day job just yet… give it some time 
)
This is why I do what I do. Because I want holistic businesses and healing arts practitioners to be doing what they are so passionate about on a full time basis. I went from part-time healing practitioner to full time business owner and it didn’t change who I was - it made me better. It made me feel fulfilled and it made me better able to help the people who needed me.
Now that I coach - that is my mission - to help you build your business. Who’s with me??
About Jenn Givler
August 15th, 2008 at 1:08 pm (#)
You know durn well I’m with you Jenn! LOL!
August 15th, 2008 at 1:48 pm (#)
Here! Here!
The need to give our selves away is actually a cultural driven ideal attached to religious believes which basically says, ‘if it’s divinely created then it should be free.’ Or at least we should wait around for someone else to decide the value of it and donate some cash.
Neva gonna happen.
Sure people value the work of a healer - healers make them feel better. Truth is though, most people think they are broke even if they aren’t and it feels better to keep their money then it does to give it to a healer.
Marketing oneself - saying ‘hey, I will help you to feel better in exchange for enough cash to make my life a little better,’ is actually the fairer way to to do it.
It allows folks the opportunity to make the choice to let you help them feel better knowing (first that you exist) there is a specific cost attached. The whole thing feels much cleaner and everyone walks away happy.
Marketing is clarity for all parties. What could be more spiritual than a nice big piece of clarity?
In Gratitude
Kat
August 15th, 2008 at 3:24 pm (#)
Jenn,
I couldn’t agree more. For a long time I had issues about accepting money for my heart-based endeavors. I was conditioned early in life to believe that I should always give away my gifts… that if I were truly “good” then I shouldn’t need nor want to get paid for what I give.
But you really hit the nail on the head with the fact that the world needs us to bring our gifts to the world. And a simple fact of capitalism and the way our society is currently structured is that money is an enabler - both for ourselves and others.
Now that I’ve embraced truly treating my heart-based endeavors as a business, I’ve experienced massive growth… and I’m excited!
August 15th, 2008 at 5:42 pm (#)
Kat - I love how you talk about the exchange - the reciprocity piece of the whole darn thing. Not only does it allow people to choose - but it allows them to feel good about the choice knowing they are giving something of value in return to the healer.
Chris - WOO HOO!!!!! And that growth can mean only ONE thing - you can help more and more people with your work - it’s a fabulous cycle.
Oh - and hey guys - keep your eyes on this blog - Chris has agreed to be interviewed about his big growing business!! Stay tuned…
And Gina - thank you! I’m so glad you’re on the journey with me - and I LOVE watching what’s happening for you! YOU GO GIRL!!!
August 15th, 2008 at 6:01 pm (#)
And have you noticed that the people who really want our help and benefit from it WANT to pay us.. (even if we protest at first?) They want us to stay around too…
August 15th, 2008 at 6:05 pm (#)
Whoohoo! I am right there with you Jenn. It is interesting that some people don’t feel that they should be having their clients pay for their services. However, how do you expect to be helping others when you aren’t able to feed yourself or have a place to sleep?
I do believe that a business (no matter what kind) takes time to build, however, it decreases the growth when you don’t value the wonderful unique qualities and gifts the universe has given you to be of service to others by accepting and asking for monetary value for those gifts.
I enjoy having others surround me that encourage me to expand my business and my passion.
I have said this before. It seems as some people feel that they should be “penalized” for enjoying their work and doing it well. I say that is silly and I hope that each of those people will understand that the world needs their expertise and knowledge and because we don’t possess the same knowledge and expertise, we are ok with paying for those services.
As always Jenn, I enjoy reading your posts - thought provoking and inspiring.
Your friend,
Teresa Morrow