We recently connected with Tina Ellis and have shared our conversation below.

Tina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

I was premature, born 4 months early only weighing 1 pound and 2 ounces. My parents are by far not perfect, however they’re love sustained me in ways most children never got to experience. Now that I am an adult with a child of my own, I OVERstand the importance of unconditional love. From my point of view, my parents did everything right. They loved me emotionally and spiritually, guided me through life with caution and grace, and molded me into a well-rounded, kind-hearted individual.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the creator of Healing Souls Wellness Spa which embodies holistic practices to guide you to become balanced from within. In 2013 my drive to help others was at it’s peak, but I didn’t know what avenue to take in doing so. At the time I was delivering food at a local restaurant to be delivered at a college. Wasn’t doing anything with my life aside from working so I inquired about taking classes. The receptionist ran down the list of courses offered and massage therapy caught my attention. Deep down I’m a hippy and that was as close to a hippy in professional form. Class started the next month and it was up from there. A year later I became a massage therapist. Shortly after, I worked at a few spas, eventually I got bored of the routine and naturally stared working for myself. More work I’ve ever done, and oftentimes asked myself if this is the route I want to take, but I’m not the type to give up so I took things more serious. I obtained my articles with the state, and buckled down on business etiquette. While doing so I did more studying, and realized that being a business owner is far more complex than it seems.

At Healing Souls we offer a plethora of therapeutic services: Massages, facials, body treatments, and spa packages. We also have all natural holistic products: Shea Butter, body scrubs, toothpaste, shampoo & conditinor, tea blends, unscented candles, seamoss, elderberry syrup and so much more! With everything we offer we help you innerstand who you are and how to become a better person. We also have a mini library to enlighten your mind too!

Im honored to be of service to others, and grateful for the relationships I’ve created while in practice. Most of my clients have become more than clients and I’ve serviced most of their family. That’s what makes me happy.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?

I didn’t have a plan when I started my business. LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE. I jumped right in and 3 years later I’m like, “Why am I not progressing the way I should”. I had the clientele, exposure, and opportunities to take, but I didn’t have a plan and realized that going with the flow in business is not the move! So, 3 years operating I wasn’t legit, didn’t have business credit, and couldn’t expand. The good thing with being an entrepreneur you can start over as many times as you need. I obtained an EIN, business license, opened several business bank accounts, and established business credit ( things you do BEFORE you open a business ).

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Books that have shaped and inspired me as a business owner are:

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
No One Succeeds Alone by Robert Reffkin ( My favorite )
Grant Writing for Dummies by Beverly A. Browning MPA, DBA

Contact Info:

• Website: www.healingsouls.as.me.
• Instagram: @_healingsouls
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/healingsoulswellnessspa