Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Burma Naylor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Burma , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
It all started in a reawakening in Baja in December of 2019. It was the year I turned 40 and on a long overdue family vacation. For the first time ever, I relinquished the day-to-day operations of my real estate business over to others and turned my phone off for six days. No calls, no email, no texting, no photos. It allowed me to reconnect with all that is and all that I am.
Experiencing true grief after leaving, I returned to Baja just a few short weeks later. I continued to visit several times a year, creating a community and what felt like a home away from home. There, I was introduced to the art of mala making and found a creative outlet that resonated deeply. Spending time in meditation and listening to mantra, I would tie malas for hours and hours a day, sometimes with a headlamp on in the dark! It gave my mind and my soul something else to focus on. Something other than business and achieving goals. This creative outlet activated a part of me that had been dormant for decades.
During this time, I was becoming attuned to and studying to become a Reiki Master. Having been a recipient of this energy work for decades, I knew its many benefits. I wanted to be able to offer Reiki to my children.
I gifted malas to several friends and as word spread, so did the requests from others wanting to buy them. Reiki appointments were being requested as were opportunities to vend at local events. Wanderlust Malas & Reiki was born! I offer Reiki infused crystal and stone malas, made with intention, as well as local and distance Reiki appointments that include sound and crystal healing.
Being able to speak about mindfulness and meditation using malas is opening so many doors. I have taught workshops, collaborated with other local makers and healers and been asked to lead retreats. Creating this brand has given me another outlet for creative expression.
As a full time Realtor of over 20 years, I continue to serve in that way. Wanderlust Malas & Reiki is a wonderful creative, healing supplement to my existence.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I grew up on the river in a beautiful mountain town in Montana. So small in fact, the town still doesn’t have a stop light! I moved away after high school in pursuit of success and a fast paced life. My first child was born the following year in Fort Worth, Texas and shortly after we relocated to Boise, Idaho. It is there that I had two more children and started to build a real estate career.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I have had to unlearn is that sometimes you have to slow down to get further ahead. It seems so counterintuitive, especially in America where it has been taught that in order to be successful we need to work more and sacrifice more and push, push, push. I thought those things suited me. I like to sell, I like to work hard, I like to change and grow and reinvent, but I burnout is real exhausting and comes at a cost; it takes a toll.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele, both for Wanderlust Malas & Reiki and as a Realtor, is to be the most genuine and truest version of myself. I know that it I am being authentic and in the flow and being a clear channel for the highest good for clients, customers and myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: WanderlustMalasAndReiki.com
- Instagram: @wanderlustmalasandreiki
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WanderlustMalasAndReiki
- Other: https://www.wanderlustmalasandreiki.com/testimonials