Case Study: Narelle Hudson - Soul Healing

Qualifications:          Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)                               Reiki and Seichim Master                               Certificate in Whole Body Relaxation Massage                               Certified Crystal Therapist                               Bach Flower Remedy practitioner                               Polynesian Hot Stone Massage (Katamasi) therapist                               Member of the Massage Association of Australia (MAA)                               Senior First Aid   Location:                 Port Macquarie Started Company:    early in 2008 Website:                  www.souhealing.com.au

What do you do?

Soul Healing is a Healing Centre in Port Macquarie NSW, which offers natural healing treatments for the mind, body and soul. Soul Healing offers Reiki treatments and courses, Crystal Healing, Bach Flower Remedy consultations, Tarot readings, Relaxation massage, Hot Stone Massage, Indian Head Massage, and Ka Huna massage treatments.

How did you come up with this business idea?

I studied Reiki many years ago and began my business simply offering Reiki treatments and courses. I was inspired to do this when I completed my Reiki Master Level course and found so much joy in the teaching of Reiki during this time of co-running workshops with my Reiki Master. I used to be a school teacher and have always loved to teach others. As my business grew I realised that there were many potential clients who wanted massage instead of or as well as Reiki and I began my studies in massage so as not to keep turning so many people away who were after healing from me.

What were your first few steps in making the concept into reality? 

I began by doing letterbox drops and putting ads in the local newspapers and in the Local Directories. I did this in conjunction with creating a webpage, designing business cards, and listing my business on the Natural Therapies Pages online. Obviously, I also had to begin buying things to set up my treatment room with.

Did you encounter any problems in this process?

Yes. Time was probably the biggest problem I encountered. It takes time to get the word out there, to attract clients and to allow the 'word-of-mouth' to spread.

How could things have been easier for you?

Things could have been easier by not having such high demands from the beginning. By not putting as much pressure on the business to make money straight away and to perhaps begin the business only part-time to start with until it grew bigger.

How have things grown since, and what are your plans for the future?

From what began as predominantly a Reiki business, I am excited to say that I can now offer eight different types of treatments. This gives clients a much bigger selection of treatments and also makes my target market that much wider.

Short term and long term plans?

In the short term I plan to continue what I am currently doing as it is working beautifully. I will also be starting to branch out and offer my services in Wauchope two days a week where I will be renting a treatment room at 38 Cameron Street, Wauchope, where I will work in conjunction with their Local Health Food shop. In the long term Soul Healing will also be offering a private professional counselling service specialising in Relationship, Grief and Loss counselling. 

Your biggest mistake?

I believe everything happens for a reason so I don't think I have made any mistakes, however in hindsight, perhaps I should have studied all of the modalities that I offer now before I began my business and not during the first two years that my business was running. This would have assisted me in building clientele faster and allowed me not to have turned so many clients away.

Your greatest moment?

Teaching Reiki and watching the people that I have trained become Reiki Masters themselves and go on to teach, heal and help others and even open their own healing practices. Conducting spiritual talks and Psychic Fairs and teaching others about what I do. Watching the way that each and every crystal healing I do transforms people; and seeing all clients walk away looking lighter and freer then when they came in, like a huge weight has been lifted off them.

Advice for someone who is looking to start a new business?

Know that it will not be built in a day; that you will need much patience, passion, and support from those around you. Stick with it and know that all good things take time. Perhaps begin things part-time to start with so you are not placing all of your financial stress on the business working and you can do it with the intent of 'love' and not just to pay the bills.