Even though it was very challenging and there were often many delays and false starts over a 20-year period, Linda Emslie was determined to follow her dream.
When the opportunity surfaced for Linda to switch fields from corporate to alternative health, she decided to take a leap of faith and follow her calling.
She decided to leave her secure, safe, well-paid (though also soul-destroying) job to take on a position as a massage therapist.
However soon after Linda started her new position she found out that her former trainer had sold the business to a new business owner who was offering vastly different terms, and these employment conditions were no longer serving her dream, so Linda decided to start her own business. For Linda to establish her business she was calling on clients and relying on her Reiki and massage training. She started a business that she believes was following her true calling as a Reiki master and a professionally qualified touch therapist, with a particular focus on working with women.
What Linda Enjoys Most About Running Her Own Business
“The thing that I enjoy most about my business is that I get to work with amazing people every day. I get to do the thing that I believe I was put on this Earth to do. I get to support and congratulate the courage and determination that these ordinary, everyday people have when facing seemingly impossible situations in their lives”.
Linda loves the flexibility of running her own business, being able to make the decisions she wants to make and being responsible for them.
Linda’s Three Tips for other Business Owners
- Start with a business-owner mindset – I believe that this is a critical component for all new businesses, particularly therapists. It is important that you understand the distinction between being a business owner and being self-employed.
- Be clear about WHY you’re doing this – Dig deep to uncover the truth as to why you want to start your own business and review what you bring to the business. This is the passion and purpose that will get you out of bed, even when you’re at the point of giving up. Understanding your WHY requires drilling deep. You know you’ve hit it when your emotions kick in!
- Know whom you are in business for – No matter what type of business you have, there is something special about you that makes your business absolutely unique. Finding out what that is and who are the customers that are actively seeking what you offer, that is the secret sauce!
Linda’s IDEAL Business
“My IDEAL business better control of my time, I wanted to move away from the current 1-1 model and towards a many-to-1 model.
I would also have a team of people on board, and be able to train people to deliver what I deliver so that I am no longer the centre of my business.
I would also become the ‘premium’ service provider. Which would allow me to work less, travel more, and explore avenues of personal interest”.
The skills and knowledge Amanda recommends you learn quickly when you are starting out in business:
- Marketing – Is critical and get comfortable with social media will put you ahead of the curve.
- Personal relationships – Making good connections with your clients and customers is essential to develop a strong relationship with them. As well as learning to get comfortable with following up clients.
- Basic bookkeeping – Having these skills will help make life easier when starting a business.
- Systems to support daily business operations -This will help to maintain consistent, repeatable, time-saving actions.
- Technology – Installing hardware and software that supports the easy flow of your day-to-day operations, will allow you to complete tasks more efficiently.
- When you feel stuck or isolated, get back in circulation – Unfortunately in all businesses you go through ups and downs to help with these hard times attend events, networking opportunities, social groups. Movement releases blocked energy in the body and in your business.
Linda on being a HerBusiness Network Member:
Being a Member of HerBusiness has facilitated and helped me to step out of isolation. I feel connected and supported in an upbeat, thriving community of like-minded women who have the same objectives and are driven to succeed in their chosen field. What I have found truly unique about being apart of this community is the generosity and support all members give in lifting up those around them so that they also succeed.
As a Member of this group, I feel empowered. I feel like my objective to adopt an online model for part of my business is achievable and is actually something people are looking for.
I also feel a real sense of validation being apart of HerBusiness, it is a really good feeling when your contributions have been received with open hearts and minds.
My own business has already benefited greatly from HerBusiness, I have learnt to become more systemised and strategic.
And finally, the most rewarding part has been the personal empowerment felt by recognising myself and being recognised by others as a business owner with the goal of growing and scaling my business.
