We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Austin Sherbanenko a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Austin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
INDIGOTOPIA encapsulates the convergence of two profound ideologies. The term “Indigo” draws from the concept of Indigo Children, like my wife and myself who are believed to possess a unique spiritual essence, arriving on this planet with a mission and purpose. Conversely, “Topia” is inspired by the notion of Heterotopia, as coined by Edgar Cayce. It symbolizes a realm or sanctuary where inner exploration intertwines with the physical world, a threshold between realms. Which is known as the Liminal zone or dimension. Thus, INDIGOTOPIA embodies not only our identities and soul missions but also the intentional creation of a space that bridges the mundane and the ethereal, crafted meticulously from its very foundation and intention.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Allow me to introduce myself, My name is Auzten. Our journey began in 2017 when my wife, our three-month-old daughter, and I left the hustle of LA behind. Growing up in Southern California, I was deeply immersed in action sports, particularly snowboarding—a passion I envisioned as my lifelong career. However, spirit had other plans. At 18, a devastating injury sidelined me, tearing all ligaments under my kneecap. Then another injury not even a month into living in the desert, I broke my heel snowboarding.
This period of forced immobilization, though initially frustrating for someone as relentlessly active as myself, became a profound time of introspection and healing. It was during this hiatus that a friend shared news about Airbnb’s new “experiences” platform. While initially skeptical, I found solace in music, particularly playing bowls for my wife and unborn child when I first bought some of my bowls. So, with a broken heel and a heart open to new possibilities, I launched our Airbnb page, offering sound healing sessions at INDIGOTOPIA. And while on the couch not able to walk for 4.5 months, I realized this was a huge message, which was HEAL..
What began as a tentative endeavor soon flourished beyond expectation. As I delved deeper into the world of sound healing, echoes of a past encounter with the concept of Akashic records resurfaced. 4 Years prior, a chance meeting someone to receive an akashic record reading from, who then became my Reiki teacher, left an indelible impression. During the reading she said she’s in a vision seeing me in the desert working with sacred sound and music, and was seeing souls coming and going, lots of them!
What do I do? I guide participants through immersive sound bath healing experiences. A unique immersive sound journey. I find myself connecting with a diverse array of souls, each sharing in the transformative power of sound. From intimate circles to private sessions for luminaries in music and entertainment, the resonance of these experiences reverberated far and wide, touching lives in profound ways, so I continued on this journey and still hold weekly sound baths in our temple.
For me, it’s not just about the instruments I play or the melodies I weave—it’s about the journey I facilitate. Each session is a voyage of self-discovery, a harmonious convergence of ancient wisdom, sounds, and modern healing modalities. And through this journey, I found myself drawn deeper into the realms of medicine work, Ayahuasca, and psilocybin specifically. Further expanding the tapestry of healing and exploration and the medicine I carry within my being.
Indigotopia is more than a venture—it’s a sanctuary, a temple, a haven where souls converge to embark on transformative journeys of healing and self-discovery. What sets us apart is not just what we offer, but how we offer it—the depth of intention, the sincerity of connection, guidance, mentorship, and the unwavering commitment to guiding others towards their inner truths and allowing space for those who are open to this work.
As we continue to chart new territories in the realm of holistic healing, I am proud of the lives we’ve touched and the stories we’ve shared. But beyond accolades and achievements, what truly matters is the profound impact we have on those who walk through our doors—a ripple effect of healing and transformation that extends far beyond the boundaries of space and time.
We’d appreciate any insights you can share with us about selling a business.
Diving into my journey, it’s been a tapestry woven with diverse threads, no pun intended! From a background steeped in the blue-collar ethos of a family in construction, my trajectory took a turn towards the world of fashion.
At just 14, I found myself captivated by the allure of design, tinkering with a screen printing machine to breathe life into my creative visions. Throughout my formative years, I honed my craft, dreaming of the day having my own brand. This dream took me from Newport Beach to the streets of NYC, where I immersed myself in a summer intensive studies program for fashion design at of Parsons. A very well know esteemed fashion / design school.
The journey wasn’t without its twists and turns thats for sure. After a brief stint at FiDM, I seized the reins of entrepreneurship, launching my own brand in 2008. Fuelled by passion and a relentless pursuit of sharing my creations with the world, I navigated the world of design and production, crafting garments that spoke volumes without saying a word, since I didn’t want to be talking about what I did. Fashion, to me, was more than mere “attire’, it’s a language of self-expression, a conduit for inner dialogue and empowerment.
Yet, as seasons change, so too did my path. In 2012, also the “Great awaking frequency shift” I bid farewell to my eponymous brand, embarking on a new chapter in the realm of health and wellness. The birth of Shaman Raman marked a convergence of my past and present, a synthesis of culinary alchemy and my fashion creative flair. Its the worlds first adaptogenic superfood ramen, in a cup.
My tenure with Shaman Raman was marked by growth, both personal and professional. However, as the winds of change whispered new possibilities, as we were seeking investors, I was presented with the opportunity to sell my equity to an investor. The journey, though arduous at times, taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and surrender. I had come to a point where I was ready to let go of my “baby” and step into the next phase of creation, open to new possibilities since this wasn’t serving me anymore..
To fellow entrepreneurs embarking on their own Bussiness journey, I do offer mentorshop, where I encourage embracement of the unknown, for within its depths lie boundless opportunities waiting to be unearthed. Trust in the ebb and flow of life’s currents, knowing that with each relinquished hold, a new door swings open, ushering in a wealth of untold possibilities. Let go, and in doing so, create space for new ideas to take root. For it’s in the dance between uncertainty and faith that we discover our truest selves and forge a path illuminated by passion and purpose which is what we are all seeking right?
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I ventured into fashion design and delved into sound healing, encountering setbacks was almost a given. Initially, each stumble would stir frustration within me, yet I soon adopted a different approach: I began to ponder, “What can I learn from this?” Indeed, it’s often the toughest challenges that impart the most profound lessons. Throughout my journey, I’ve embodied courage and fearlessness, traits I wholeheartedly advocate. Embracing fearlessness propels boundless energy toward one’s aspirations, igniting a powerful momentum toward achieving them! GOD Responds to this energy!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Indigotopiawithlove.com
- Instagram: @Auzten_Mykola , @Indigotopia
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-sherbanenko-565aa6262
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iWwPaYAvT8&t=1435s
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/aximal
- Other: @Hongo_Rewire www.Nomad-Supplements.com
Image Credits
Mikey LeBlanc