I get a lot of comments on my business name. Recently, I have had an influx in people asking how it came to be, and if there was a story behind it….well, if you know me, there is always a story! I share a little about the beginnings in the “About” section, but I thought I would take this opportunity to share a little more about that story. Along with what things at The Well-House look like now, and what I hope for the future.
Change
Change is hard for many of us, myself included. Sure, I welcome it, but it’s still hard! A few years back, I had some change that I wasn’t expecting. It wasn’t welcomed change either. I was working in dental, and made it to a high point of my career. I was a dental assisting instructor at my alma mater. I really enjoyed it and was starting to find my groove…until there wasn’t a groove anymore….
I suddenly found myself unemployed. Lost. Upset. Scared. All the things. We had just gone through the extremely stressful process of purchasing our farm and beginning the build of our home…and this came. We were so afraid we would lose it all. Our dream. Funny how life happens sometimes.
I am a big believer in “everything happens for a reason”, and here I was, smack dab in the middle of figuring out what that meant for us….for me. Looking back at that time now, I realize this was just the next step in getting me closer to what I truly believe I was meant to do. Prior and during this period, I had started dabbling in more of the health and wellness world. Taking classes, researching, etc. I found a moment in all of this sadness and chaos where I realized, I needed to make a change.
A Walk, An Aha, and A Plan
In the weeks following the “change”, I found myself feeling really lost. Thankfully, I am blessed to have an amazing group of people who supported me in so many ways….so many! I still struggle with how to thank them for what they did for me. One of the people in my circle suggested that I spend some time journaling things out, or getting out for some walks. Meditative type walks where I could think and process.
We are blessed with a beautiful property, so I thought it would do me some good to get out and walk around in our yard…see what came to me. I found myself really enjoying this time. Getting out and being in nature, enjoying the peace outside when it was not so peaceful inside me. I was able to sort my thoughts and have some really therapeutic walks. One of the reasons I highly recommend them to all my clients!
During these walks I started to realize the importance of health. My health. I remember thinking, “I wish I could find a job that was more centered around health and well-being”. One were taking these walks were part of the day, or some yoga outside…that sounded so good on that days walk! I actually stopped and did a few poses in my back yard. It was incredible! I began thinking about ways I could help myself on my own health journey and then maybe others too. It’s important to note that during this time, I was struggling health wise. This is where some of the reading, researching, learning came about.
“I began thinking about ways I could help myself on my own health journey and then maybe others too. “
After that “walk and yoga in the backyard” day, I remember going into the house and spending some time searching for careers that might align with this new idea I was having. Now, this is where things started to really fall into place…the miracles began to happen. I wasn’t sure what type of jobs to search so I used words like, “health”, “yoga”, “help”…I don’t remember all of them, but I remember thinking that I was so vague nothing would come up! But something did. Actually, a school came up. Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I pulled up their site and began reading about their program. I learned to know what an Integrative Health Coach was and I knew right then and there, that was my next step.
The miracles continued. That same day I called an advisor to ask about the program – tuition, financing, timeline. I wasn’t sure we could afford it in this time of life, but I felt moved to keep going with my investigating. I am so glad I did! Classes were starting soon, they had an accelerated program, discounts, 0% financing with flexible payment options. The lovely woman on the other end of the call kept sharing, and I kept writing it on my little paper. Tears were coming down as fast as I was writing! We could make this work!
And we did. My husband and family were so supportive during this time. Things started to really unfold and open up for me. I was feeling better, and still taking those walks outside! About halfway through the program, I realized I needed to start preparing for how I was going to share this knowledge I was receiving with others…the services I could offer. So, I went out for one of my walks! After all, this is where some really amazing things had come to me prior, why not now!
I remember this walk so well. I remember thinking how I wanted to have my own business. I wanted to help others on their health journey. I wanted a place where people could come to be well again. I was thinking about myself and my journey, and how I was becoming well again. Now, I am not sure what your beliefs are…what your faith journey is like….but, I am a woman of faith. On my walks, I spent time thinking and processing, but I also spent a lot of them talking to God. Asking for answers, peace, help…a lot of help! On this particular walk, I remember asking for direction and guidance. I stopped on my walk to ask for this guidance…what can I offer to other women who have struggled like me? What will I give to them? I stopped my questioning to God and looked around me. The answer was literally in front of me. I remember this incredible feeling of just knowing, this was it. I was standing right in front of our wellhouse.
More Than A Name
The Well-House. What a neat play on words for someone who wants to have a business around health and being well! But honestly, it is more than a clever name. This building on my yard – the center of my yard – was a reminder of what and who was center in my life. It was a reminder of the journey to that point in time, the walks around my yard, the tears, the excitement, the aha moments. Everything I had been through, learned, experienced…this is what I could offer to those women struggling like I had been. I had found my path, my purpose, while on these walks around my property…around the wellhouse.
So, yes. It is a fun name for a business where someone helps others achieve wellness. It works for marketing! But please know that the name of my business is so much more than a name. It represents the journey I took to get here and all I gained from those walks, education, experience. It represents all I want to give and share with each of my clients. With you!
What’s Next?!
Currently, The Well-House is this digital space. Occasionally, it travels to health fairs, Collectives, coffee shops! But one day, I hope for it to be a physical space for women to come and embark on their journey to find wellness, to find themselves. We will see what the future holds! For now, I am so grateful for being here in the now. For all that had to happen, good and not so good, that allowed me to end up where I am…being here with you!
Stephanie