Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Amirah and Janelle Ross.
Hi Jasmine and Janelle, 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?
Our story begins back in ’06 when we met at City Honors High School in Inglewood, CA–we were just 14 years old–and we have been best friends ever since! We immediately clicked and became each other’s confidante. After college and six years building careers in corporate America, we both realized we would be more fulfilled if we could use our gifts to create a space for multidimensional wellness. Together, we combined our passions for meditation, spiritual development, womb wellness, and womanhood and founded Garden of Her in April of 2020.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As burgeoning entrepreneurs and new leaders within the wellness space we have encountered many obstacles and challenges, but the universe always provided a path for us. The COVID-19 pandemic created a challenging atmosphere for securing venues and capacity restrictions– however, this allowed us to be creative and really build a beautiful space to uplift our community, support BIPOC businesses, and promote healing and self-care for black lives.
Additionally, working full-time jobs while building out Garden of Her and our sound healing event, Sol & Sound, left us very drained. For the first year of Sol & Sound, we funded the monthly event solely with donations and our own personal funds. Our team consisted of just the two of us and our wonderful volunteers. As co-founders of a small wellness startup, we have had to take on many roles–we’re constantly learning about event production, branding and marketing, holistic healing modalities, community outreach, and wellness. It’s a lot, but it’s so worth it.
As we continue to grow, we will face new challenges but we have a wonderful support system in each other. Plus, the network of wellness leaders we have collaborated with have been phenomenally supportive. It’s been so beautiful to watch how things unfold and we know that every step of the way, we are divinely guided.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Garden of Her is most known for wellness events related to meditation, sound healing, and physical fitness. Our GOHFit events are fitness classes infused with womb wellness meditations. We partner with fitness influencers to create an exciting workout and cater to aspects of physical wellbeing.
We also produce Sol & Sound, an outdoor sound healing event created in the spirit of healing black lives. We created this event during the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic and 2020 racial protest as a way of introducing holistic wellness practices to the black community, people of colors, and our allies. Sol & Sound features a live sound bath, breathwork, music performances, afro-ecstatic dance, and a BIPOC vendor market. All are welcome to attend Sol & Sound, so if you haven’t been yet you should definitely check it out! In the past, we have partnered with organizations such as Deepak Chopra’s Chopra App, Suja Organic, CANN and CAVA to enhance each event and we are so thankful for the support. More details are on our website.
Apart from our events, we are building out digital platforms for wellness and creating products to aide in self-care, womb wellness, and spiritual development. We love partnering with other wellness leaders and are always looking for innovative ways to introduce holistic wellness practices.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Anyone who aspires to create or build something in this world should just get out there and do it. When you feel called to do something, take action. If you ask the Universe for help, monetary support, a community, whatever it is, the Universe will provide it; especially if it’s for the greater good.
Lastly, once you get started, don’t stop. When you feel weary, it’s okay to take a break and engage in wellness practices to build your strength and stamina. Don’t neglect yourself on the way to realizing your dreams; you have to make sure you get there.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: GardenOfHer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gardenofherla/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/solandsound/
Image Credits:
Images captured by Vanessa Garcia.
