We were lucky to catch up with Anisett Jacques-Willis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Anisett, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Let me tell you about a risk that lit up my life—a chance I took with my heart leading the way., I worked as a clinical social worker/therapist , building a comfortable life. But a voice inside asked if I was truly reaching my potential.

As I balanced my stable 9-to-5 job and my passion for wellness and travel on the side, I felt an itch for more. So, I made a choice. I decided to take a break from my job and set off on a two-month journey through Southeast Asia. No schedules, no obligations, just me and my dreams. I saw the risk as a gift I was giving myself and that was time. Time to push in discovering your potential deeper, connect deeper with the world, and curate travel experiences others can gain elevation from.

During those months of exploration, unexpected doors swung open. I struck deals with hotels and product and retreat collaborations, and my ability to share my ideas grew stronger. But the real revelation was discovering talents I had never acknowledged—like my knack for bringing people together and creating unforgettable moments.
Admittedly, fear accompanied my decision. Leaving behind my security was hard. Yet, in the uncertainty, I found a clearer vision of my path ahead.

We often sense our calling, yet fear stands in our way. I grappled with that fear, but I made a choice to confront it. And guess what? That risk propelled me closer to transforming my passion into a full-time journey.

This journey taught me the power of self-belief and embracing the unknown. Taking that risk demanded courage, but it revealed a canvas of possibilities for my life, more vivid than I ever imagined.

Anisett, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

With 19 years of experience as a clinical social worker and therapist, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work with diverse populations and organizations. This rich background has granted me a profound understanding of human behavior and the ways in which our environment shapes it. My driving force has always been a deep-seated desire to assist those in need and make a positive impact.

Through the years, my work has encompassed a spectrum of roles, from providing counseling, advocacy, to hands-on care. One fundamental lesson emerged from this collective experience – the transformative power of self-care. Guiding clients to adopt behavioral methods that prioritize their own well-being, regardless of circumstances, has unveiled a remarkable truth. By instilling self-care as a cornerstone, I’ve witnessed individuals progress towards positive change and personal growth.
Navigating diverse support services like housing, imprisonment, post traumatic stress disorder, employment, mental health, medical care, and addressing addictions, illuminated a universal strategy – adapting to life changes and fostering strategies to overcome negative behaviors. My journey expanded further, as I embarked on the path of a business owner, a venture that’s perpetually evolving. One Centricity is a lifestyle travel and wellness brand built alongside my husband with community as the driving force.

Our personal lifestyle is anchored in experiences and connections, a conscious choice to remain rooted in our core values. The driving force behind One Centricity is our mission: to champion intentional travel and movement, a journey that harmonizes the mind, body, and spirit. This is where the magic happens. We’ve gathered an exceptional network of therapists, hotels, personal trainers, wellness coaches, travel enthusiasts, experience producers, and writers. Together, we’re devoted to sharing wellness insights and immersive travel experiences, fostering a reconnection with oneself while exploring the world.

One Centricity is a vessel of curated wellness sanctuaries – hotels, retreats, and events spanning the globe. I gave myself the title of experience curator , igniting inspiration and guiding others on their quest to find wellness-infused travel. This journey is anchored in diverse self-care modalities that embrace movement, experience, growth, and healing. Recently, we’ve unveiled The OC Shop, a treasure trove of wellness products tailored for home use or on-the-go, ensuring that wellness practices remain steadfast companions even during travels.

In essence, I’ve built One Centricity to encapsulate my passion for nurturing well-being and holistic experiences. If you’re seeking intentional travel, authentic connections, and a genuine pursuit of balance, you’re in the right place. Our collective of experts and enthusiasts is here to accompany you on this transformative journey from curating wellness events, group or personal travel, and coaching.

How’d you meet your business partner?

In 2007, fate brought my husband and now business partner on a dance floor in our hometown NYC. Little did we know that this chance encounter would set the stage for a journey of growth and unity that continues to flourish. The idea of working side by side was far from our minds at that moment – we were two creative souls with a passion for exploration.

Jason, my husband, navigated the corporate realm as a manager, yet his insatiable love for capturing moments through a lens remained. I, on the other hand, immersed myself in the healthcare field, intertwining it with my passion for crafting unforgettable experiences. Collaborating professionally was not an initial consideration.

As time passed, our shared love for travel and wellness brought us closer. This shared passion gave birth to One Centricity – a blend of travel, well-being, and community that we aimed to share with others. Our journey wasn’t a straight line; uncertainties persisted then and still do. Yet, it’s the thrill of the unknown that keeps us going, pushing us out of our comfort zones.
One Centricity – a manifestation of our desire to intertwine our love for travel, wellness, and community. Through One Centricity, we crafted a life of movement and exploration not just for ourselves, but for a global community. With Jason’s love for videography and my talent for creating experiences, we launched a platform that celebrates the harmony between travel and wellness.

Collaborating isn’t always easy, especially when it involves your life partner. Balancing our personal relationship with our professional pursuits demanded effort. We are always learning how to dance between being partners and co-creators.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

If I could turn back time, I would have chosen to study dance or engage in a sports-related field. Movement has fascinated me since my early years, and I’d lose myself for hours dancing in my room. Throughout my childhood, I dedicated a significant portion of my time to dance school, alongside juggling track and field, piano, and schoolwork. Whenever my grades went down, my parents would remove me from activities. Being Haitian immigrants, they were past down the belief that one should become a doctor, nurse, or lawyer and education was everything.

Looking back, I wish I had been more determined in pursuing my passion for dance. These days, I find myself dancing wherever and whenever I can, allowing my inner child to be in joy through movement.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.onecentricity.com
• Instagram: @one_centricity