Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Gestetner.
Amanda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I moved to LA from my hometown of London, England in 2015 with my husband and three teenage children. It was a massive move on every level and culturally so different to what we were used to. Being a Reiki Master for many years and really in tune with energy, I was very conscious to make this a really positive, exciting move filled with opportunity – and palm trees! I found LA so incredibly open and creative and Santa Monica, where I live, a real hub of holistic wellness, spiritual paths and cutting edge opportunities in that field. The great thing about moving at the age and stage that I was, is that you can just show up as yourself with no baggage and no history – nothing holding you back. That move was a real chance to live my dream, create my own story and be my authentic self which we don’t always get when we live all our lives in one place. I built up my clientele originally by word of mouth and would go to people’s homes to treat them.
After a while and some growth, I rented a treatment room in Santa Monica where I met amazing like-minded people. As much as I love the holistic world, I’m also really turned on by the business side of things and am very entrepreneurial so it was in my blood and my DNA to open up a studio. It’s been hard work, literally with my bare hands, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with wonderful clients who tend to come back! I genuinely love my clients and am so inspired by their commitment to their healing journeys and the hard work they put into their work with me which makes my job and my time very fulfilling. There are always struggles in any job and any journey and mine is no different. The biggest struggle for me is to make sure that I don’t take on anyone else’s energy or issues which is easy to do when you work in energy healing. I’ve learnt through experience that it doesn’t serve anyone to do that. It’s not a sign of compassion or empathy – it’s a sign that you’re not protecting yourself which is neither clever nor helpful to myself or my clients. The greatest gift I can offer is to get myself out of the way in order to serve which takes vigilance and self-discipline. Having a high street location is a big task and I have several hats to wear – healer and business owner. You could say it’s a struggle but actually, I love the challenge!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Cocoon Santa Monica – what should we know?
Cocoon is a Healing Arts studio, specializing in integrated holistic wellness. We offer three different categories: Private Treatments, Weekly Classes and Workshops. Integrating the three, we have specialized in-house wellness coaches who will work personally with clients to curate unique and individualized wellness programs at Cocoon. We have an in-house Reiki Master, Nutritionist, Acupuncturist and Naturopathic Doctor who see clients privately and in group work. The weekly classes include Meditation, Breathwork, Soundbath NLP (neurolinguistic programming) Qigong, Yoga Nidra, Napping, Mindfulness and more. The Workshops are very varied and have included Dream Analysis, Embracing your Personal Power, Intimacy, Book Club and more. We are known for being a true healing arts boutique where, with a combination of treating our clients on Mental, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual level, we are able to really able to assist in their transformations. Cocoon offers an intimate, peaceful, welcoming, nurturing and safe environment and whether it’s a class, a private or workshop, the experience is always extremely personal and attentive.
As a company, we are most proud of our clients. To embark on a healing journey is bold, brave, intense and requires commitment. Witnessing our clients show up this way time and time again and make amazing shifts on every level is a profound privilege and the reason we show up to work every day. What sets us apart is that we offer either drop in classes or deeply personalized wellness programs all under one loving roof. Our space and experiences are personal and profound.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I’m basing my definition of success here on the ability for my clients to let go of what no longer serves them on all levels and to reach their optimal potential…. so on that basis, I’d say it’s a combination of compassion, determination and trust. I have found that my own personal journey and those of my clients have been most successful when I’ve been compassionate enough in the tricky times, determined enough to keep walking through it and trusting enough that it will work out for the greatest and highest of good throughout the process… and it is a process…
Contact Info:
- Address: 1030 C Montana Avenue
Santa Monica 90403 - Website: www.cocoonsantamonica.com
- Phone: 310 343 8908
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @cocoonsantamonica
Image Credit:
Valorie Darling Photography
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