Meet the Tribe - Lauren Gicas
Each week we bring you the story of one incredible entrepreneur who can be found inside the Hatch Tribe COLLECTIVE. Today we’re excited to introduce Lauren Gicas of Coalesce Energy in Charleston, SC.
What is your business and how did it come to be?
Coalesce Energy is a Reiki energy business that I launched about 3 years ago. I see clients one on one, teach Reiki training and yoga classes, and host workshops, like my monthly Grief Support Circle. While my day job was event planning for the past 10+ years, I knew in my heart that helping people through Reiki was my purpose for being here on this planet. I understood the power of Reiki through my own journey to healing and wanted to spread this light work far and wide. It took a long time to make the leap, and I just did that at the end of 2019! 2020 is my year of “trust” and moving in forward in this new venture.
What’s the hardest thing about being your own boss?
Being patient. I am slowly building a client base and wanting to have it all now – a fully thriving business that fully supports me and allows me the freedom to travel, learn and experience life. Learning to find joy in the process and not expect overnight success is challenging for me.
What’s the best part about being your own boss?
The freedom and power to make my own decisions. I was never good at taking orders from my superiors in the corporate world. I love that I am my own boss now! Plus, flexibility to have my work schedule flow with my life, and not be dictated by someone else is a huge bonus.
How do you balance your personal life with your business?
In my line of work, I am constantly giving my energy to others, so protecting my own energy is vital. The people-pleaser in me tends to jump right to YES whenever I’m asked to do a Reiki session or partner with someone on an event, or even when I am presented with a new event planning opportunity. I’m working on protecting my yes’ by stopping to ask if this will truly serve me in my business and personal life.
Also, working on being more organized and disciplined in my daily life so I can free up more time in doing the things that are important with my family, friends and others.
How do you take care of your mind, body, and spirit?
Lots and lots of Reiki! I also love taking beach walks and getting out in nature every day, which is a big reason why I moved to Charleston, SC from New Jersey. I have to practice what I preach – so often I am working with clients who are completely stressed out and anxious, and my advice at the end of a session is usually that they need to spend time grounding themselves through meditation, journaling and time in nature. I’m very fortunate to work out of The Salt Spa & Yoga and also teach restorative yoga classes there, so I am able to take full advantage of all of the great yoga classes, plus indulge in massages and salt sauna sessions. The Taurus in me loves indulging in lots of self care, I would get a massage everyday if I could!
How do you keep yourself accountable?
By sticking to my commitments and not taking on too much to where I’m not giving my clients, friends or family 100% of me. Recently in my coaching sessions with Hilary, she recommended I calendar out my whole year. Such a simple concept is yet so powerful! Print a blank 2020 calendar and sit down to map it all out so I feel more grounded. It helped me see the big picture of how I want to design my year and make sure I’m carving out enough time for the important things.
How do you handle those moments of self-doubt and fear?
When I go into that place of fear and making up those “limiting belief” stories, I know it’s time to stop, take a break, take a walk, meditate, do yoga, anything that gets me out of my head space. This is the best medicine. I also find keeping a daily gratitude journal helps squash those false thoughts when I can look back and see how far I have come.
How has a so-called failure actually set you up for future success?
My journey has been filled with set-backs, I can’t recall just one. But along the way I have learned never to stop doing the things that light me up. Life is too short to be in a job that makes you miserable, and sometimes you have to take that leap into the unknown to clear space for those things you want to invite in.
What resources do you love that you think other business owners should know about?
Later for scheduling Instagram posts – it’s been a huge time saver for me and it’s free! Also, Tiny Scanner, makes it so easy to get professional looking docs with just snapping a pic.
What book or podcast are you digging right now?
I’ve been doing a lot of work around trauma and grief in my client work and in my own personal healing journey, and have taken yoga for trauma training, so I find this book very relevant and enlightening.
Book:
The Transformation: Discovering Wholeness and Healing After Trauma by James S. Gordon M.D.
Podcast:
Biggest Small Things by Renee Manning
Highest Self Podcast by Sahara Rose
Who is one woman you admire and what you do you adore about her?
My mom! She taught me it’s never too late to start doing what you love. She went back to school in her 40’s and got her master degree in psychology and started a new career in Art Therapy. She also manages to keep family as top priority and always makes everyone feel loved and taken care of. And she taught me about Reiki and spirituality back when I was a teen. She’s my role model and best friend!
What is one quote or motto you live by?
“Life is a journey, not a destination.” It reminds me again and again to stay in the present moment and enjoy each day, instead of always trying to think ahead to what I want to achieve or where I want to be.
What does the world need more of?
Love. All we need is love.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received as a business owner?
An excerpt from the book The Go-Giver “All things being equal, people will do business with and refer business to those people they know, like and trust.” Words to live by as you are building a business.
To connect with Lauren Gicas join us in the Hatch Tribe Collective.
You can also find her at:
Website: https://www.coalesceenergy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coalesceenergy
Instagram: http://instagram.com/coalesce_energy_chs
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