Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Haley.
Hi Kimberly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story is pretty interesting. I actually have a background in fashion and prior to switching careers, I worked in the fashion industry for 15 years. The fashion world is very fast-paced and cut throat. Being that I didn’t have many responsibilities at the time (i.e., a spouse or child) I could work as much as my ambition would support. The long hours, the takeout and being wired on caffeine caught up to me. This is what made me want to transition into the wellness space – my own story. My body took a hit due to all the stress I was under. My hormones were heavily unbalanced – I suffered from severe gut issues, cystic acne, anxiety and depression as well as chronic fatigue. As I began to delve into all things wellness, I became more mindful of the products I was using on my body and in my home. I also became aware of the healing power of juicing and eating clean, along with the impact my emotional and mental health had on my physical well-being.
Since I already had my bachelors, I considered going back to school to pursue a Master’s in Nutrition but given where I was in life, that didn’t seem like the right move. While I was researching different career options in the wellness space, an ad for massage school kept popping up. I looked more into it and decided to enroll. One thing I can say about my transition is that it was very strategic. I kept my day job and went to school at night for two years.
I knew if I was going to transition careers, the switch needed to be purposeful and financially beneficial. Learning a trade not only made sense, but it gave me the opportunity to create a life that was fulfilling on my own terms. Being a therapist has given me the privilege of walking alongside my clients as they commit to a life of wellness. I’m able to educate them about their bodies and provide a space for them to heal while they continue to pursue their careers without compromising their health.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I have definitely experienced my share of obstacles along my entrepreneurial journey . One challenge that was not unique to me as a business owner was Covid. My industry was not allowed to practice for several months at the onset of the pandemic . Shortly after that restriction was placed on my industry, I found out I was pregnant and was considered high risk by my doctor. This was a major challenge because at the time, I solely offered massage services as a part of my business model. I had no choice but to pivot, and figure out how I could remain relevant and top of mind for my community. It was at this crossroads that I decided to open an online marketplace that would carry self-care products such as Hand – Poured Soy Candles, Planners, Journals and Affirmation Cards to help enhance the self-care experience. This shift was greatly received initially but then I encountered another challenge – sales dropped and then became non-existent. It was challenging to show up online and push past the feelings of discouragement in order to develop content, but that’s what I had to do. This is why I started doing Pop – Up Events. I knew that I had a great brand concept, I just needed to expose the brand to more people. There are so so so many more challenges that I could list – but the moral of the story is that obstacles are inevitable and every business owner will experience them. My advice is to make sure you are rooted deeply in your why, be willing to pivot, and be willing to put feet to pavement to spread awareness about your brand – because people need to know about it!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Relaxed and Restored is a wellness brand that emphasizes the importance of self-care as an effective way to combat daily stressors. Our products and services are curated to help enhance the self-care experience of the working professional. We believe that taking a holistic approach to maintaining the mind and the body is the best way to combat stress-related illnesses and conditions. We believe self-care is more than a luxury – it’s essential and should be implemented on a daily basis to help improve the quality of life. We understand that everyone’s process of healing looks different, so we make a point to meet people where they are and not promote a cookie cutter approach to healthy living – this is what sets us apart from others . We found that the best pathway to healing is to master the basics of wellness . We encourage our community to live their lives fully and on purpose while being aware that the mind and body are connected and that taking a holistic approach to combating stress is more sustainable than only focusing on “fixing ” the symptoms .
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice to anyone starting a business or building a brand would be one – become very clear about the problem you are aiming to solve. Two, understand what person or community you are trying to serve and three, visualize what type of life you want to live while you are pursuing your dream. It’s been said several times before that having a “why” will keep you going. This statement couldn’t ring more true. On the days when you feel tired and question if pursuing this passion of yours is worth it, I encourage you to remember your why and take inventory of your growth so far. I find that when you truly have a heart to serve others, your why is rooted in depth, and focusing on that should help you recalibrate when you feel lost or discouraged. Lastly, visualizing the type of life you want to live while building the business and or brand is important. Having this image at the forefront of your mind will serve as a form of accountability- to make sure you are not forgetting what is important and remind you to stay humble and grounded. Balance can be hard to achieve while pursuing a dream because your many thoughts are often consumed with ideas and goals and or problems that need to be solved. However, it is important that you balance pursuing your entrepreneurial endeavors by spending time with those you love, making time to pour into yourself and remembering to take care of your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. You want to make sure that you are physically and mentally well enough to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Pricing:
- We offer an array of products and merchandise that range from $14 – $50
- Our services range in price from $120 – $220
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.relaxedandrestored.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relaxedandrestored/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/RelaxedandRestored\
Image Credits:
All images were taken by Kaye McCoy.
