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When I started to explore having my own business, I was completely and utterly unprepared for the reality! I was sure my corporate experience would stand me in good stead, and it did to a degree, but I still had so much to learn. Here is a list of some of the things I’ve learned, do let me have your thoughts in the comments below, and of course book a session if you’d like to go deeper and explore you and your business together.

  1. You are the most important asset in your business – be kind to yourself, take special care of you
  2. You are probably the hardest boss you never had – see point 1!
  3. Book time off (NOW!), you must protect yourself from burn out – see point 1!
  4. You can’t do everything yourself (you will become a jack of all trades and master of none) find the WHO’s that you need in your business and outsource tasks to them
  5. Understand the fundamentals of what you are outsourcing before you ask others to help, it prevents costly mistakes
  6. Aim for mastery, anything else is just the same as anyone else
  7. You need a business family – your own family (and friends) simply don’t cut it as a sounding board, they love you too much and they bring their own sh*t to the party!
  8. You need FOCUS to work for yourself. There’s lots of bright shiny objects to distract you, all cunningly disguised as being a busy business owner!
  9. Don’t be drawn in to the ‘shoulds’, you should run your life and your business your way – yes, I’m aware of the irony
  10. Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry! Get a coach, or a specialist to help you BEFORE you need it, otherwise it’s like shopping when you’re hungry – you buy crisps, cream cakes and biscuits, instead of fruit and veg. And that can be costly in time and money (and the waistline!)
  11. Get your systems in place – there are so many benefits to documenting your systems, but primarily, if it’s in your head it’s not repeatable, so your quality is subject to your mood
  12. Make progress every day, doing that builds momentum which has a compound effect, doing just 1 thing every day moves the needle way more than 365 steps in a year!
  13. You no longer get paid for every hour you work – You need to spend time growing your business and running your business, these hours are not ‘paid’ for
  14. You will very likely undercharge your first few clients – constantly review your pricing and learn to appreciate your value
  15. Keep going, until it’s time to stop. When the going gets tough, become still. In the stillness you’ll find the next step, whether that’s moving on in the business or moving out of the business.
  16. And finally, (in the same way that super actors are listed at the end of the film credits, this is the biggie) You must understand your numbers – it’s the one area that will make a huge impact on your decision-making capabilities – and usually the last area people want to get into .. to their detriment!

About the Author – Sharyn-With-A-Why

To find out more about Sharyn, take a look at her profile in Practitioners Corner

Where did you complete your training (or where are you still in training)?

I am currently training with BreathingSpace.

What do you enjoy about breathwork and how has it helped you?

Breathwork brought me back to myself and is a huge part of my every day life.

It makes me feel a deep connection to the universe and myself.

My Bio

Jenni is a nature-loving, curious and animal-loving Breathwork Facilitator student.
To pay the bills, she is a consultant for international business at an insurance broker, where she quietly tries to create more space and awareness for breathwork and intuitive behavior.
Jenni uses her positive attitude and energy to encourage others to have more faith and trust in themselves. In her spare time, Jenni enjoys hiking with her partner and their dog and going on adventures with her 3 daughters.

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What do you enjoy about breathwork and how has it helped you?

What I enjoy most about breathwork is its simplicity and power. Breathwork is always accessible; it’s something I carry with me wherever I go, an anchor that grounds me in any moment. It’s a tool that helps me connect with myself deeply and in ways that no other practice has. The act of breathing, especially conscious connected breathwork, brings a sense of presence that’s calming and empowering. It’s a reminder that I don’t need to control everything—each breath comes and goes, and with it, I can let go of old patterns, fears, and the need for control.

Breathwork has helped me in profound ways. It’s allowed me to accept myself as I am, to live with less anxiety and more ease. Through breathwork, I’ve learned to be present, even in challenging times. It’s helped me release tension, manage stress, and find peace in moments where I’d once feel overwhelmed. Most importantly, it’s helped me build resilience and acceptance within myself, and that, in turn, has made me a more grounded mum and teacher. Breathwork is my sanctuary, a place I can come back to again and again, knowing it will support and steady me.

Where did you complete your training (or where are you still in training)?

Graduate Facilitator, Mentor and Teacher at Breathing Space

Are you trained in any other modalities?

I am trained in Flower and Vibrational essence therapy, NLP, havening, EFT and mindfulness

How do they integrate with breathwork?

Flower essences, NLP, havening, EFT and mindfulness all integrate seamlessly with breathwork, each adding depth to the practice. Together, they support emotional release, shift limiting beliefs, and foster a sense of inner peace and resilience. Breathwork brings clients into a receptive state, allowing these therapies to work more profoundly. Whether enhancing emotional balance, cultivating joy, or releasing old patterns, these practices together provide a powerful, holistic approach for deep-rooted healing and transformation

What is your personal journey?

I started teaching at 21, full of energy and hope. Life in rural Donegal was busy, raising three children—two now in college and one still at home—and balancing family, work, and community. Losing my mum at 25 was a turning point, leaving a deep ache that I carried silently. Over time, stress and overwhelm took their toll, and I felt like I’d lost a sense of myself—not just as a teacher or mother but as a person.

Then I found breathwork and other holistic practices. It began as a few moments of peace but quickly became my path to healing. Gradually, I started releasing years of tension and self-judgment. I learned to let go, be present, and reconnect with myself. Breath by breath, I found strength, resilience, and a renewed sense of calm that has changed my life. Now, I approach teaching, motherhood, and life itself with more compassion, feeling grateful and grounded in each moment.

What do you stand for, and what do you stand against?

I stand for empowerment and nurturing—especially for women, mums, and teachers. My work is rooted in helping others reconnect with their innate power, embracing feminine energy, and living more mindfully and authentically. I value holistic well-being, promoting a life of balance, calm, and self-discovery through gentle yet transformative practices.

I stand for supporting foundational growth through intentional practices, such as breathing and mindset work, to foster inner calm and emotional resilience. I advocate for the importance of role modelling—encouraging mothers and teachers to embody the calm and balance they wish to pass on to teens and children, as I believe calm homes and classrooms begin with calm adults.

I stand for the celebration of womanhood and the healing power of feminine energy, challenging the societal tendency to overvalue masculine traits. My work centres on integration and choice, helping others understand that they can shape their emotions and experiences with awareness and intention.

I stand against rigid, overstressed environments that leave little room for calm and connection. I oppose the idea that women, mums, or teachers need to constantly give without replenishing themselves. I stand against the cultural conditioning that ignores the value of feminine energy and the holistic approach to well-being, as well as the outdated belief that emotions should be repressed rather than processed and honoured.

Additionally, I reject superficial quick fixes and toxic positivity and instead emphasise practices that create deep, sustainable change, calling out the “nonsense” of approaches that disregard the power of mindfulness and intentionality.

What is your greatest wish for your clients

My greatest wish for my clients is that they reconnect with their true selves and discover the power and peace that lies within them. I want them to realise that they have a choice in every moment—to shape their emotions, their responses, and their lives in ways that feel nourishing and authentic. I wish for them to find a sense of calm and resilience, so they can approach life’s challenges with grace and strength.

I hope they learn to embrace their feminine energy, valuing it as a powerful force for balance and healing in a world that often prizes the opposite. I want them to realise it’s ok not to be mindful, happy, in control all the time and that there is support for then in those times. I wish for them to create homes and environments that reflect tall this,, not only for themselves but for their children, students, and everyone they touch. Above all, I want them to feel empowered to live fully, joyfully, and with a deep-rooted sense of purpose and connection.

My Bio

Marie Doherty is a holistic wellbeing practitioner in Ireland. She is passionate about empowering women to embrace their innate strength and helping teachers lead a gentler, more mindful life. Having taught for over 30 years she understands the pressures of the classroom and the stresses of balancing school and home life. Using her skills and experience she equips teachers with the skills to create calm and balanced lives, initially using the breath. Her mission is to celebrate womanhood and bring more feminine energy to the world. Remember, calm homes begin with calm mums and calm schools begin with calm teachers.

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