Startups & Self-care: The Power of Building a Business from a Place of Passion, Purpose and Purity of Intention

An example I use is, ‘If you’re looking for a new house, write down an actual street rather than one or two suburbs. Write down how you want the house to look, and even include descriptions and functions of the inside and outside.’ Over the years I’ve written many lists. Once I write them I usually stick them in a drawer and forget about them. I lo

‘I’m always doing things I can’t do. That’s how I get to do them.’ — Pablo Picasso

As an INFJ (on the Myers-Briggs scale), I’m naturally idealistic. I tend to ignore how people actually are because I’m caught up seeing the person I know they could be. While it sounds nice to see the best in people, it has a downside.

‘Genuine relationships are the foundation of every great business.’

But I learnt that true innovation only takes place when people are given the opportunity to put forward their ideas, take ownership of their ideas and implement them. It won’t work if they have to ask permission for every part of the process, or feel they’ll be micromanaged in the process. In fact, they will stop asking.

Beauty therapy treatments are more functional—the client is looking for a specific result. But spa treatments, while still results-focused, are all about the experience. They should be a beautiful blend of effectiveness and relaxation, something that ultimately supports the customer’s wellbeing.

But I ran into the same problem most pioneers face: we were way ahead of our time. ‘All-natural’ wasn’t a thing in 1999. So instead of simply being able to sell the Sodashi products on their merits, I had to spend a huge amount of time educating the market about why all-natural was important when it came to skin care, and how our unique formulation

At the risk of sounding a bit woo, I’ve always believed my life was mapped out. And because of that, I’m willing to let things unfold rather than always push for what I think should be happening.

When you’re the first person to do something, there’s no blueprint. You have to make things up as you go along.