We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elisa Wiggins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Elisa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
Being a business owner has been a risk. I have taken several times in my life. Most have been successful and I’ve had some not so successful adventures. Being a business owner is a journey filled with both challenges and rewards. On the positive side, it offers autonomy, allowing you to make key decisions and direct your company as you see fit. There are significant financial rewards if the business is successful, potentially offering a higher income than traditional employment. Additionally, it provides creative fulfillment as you innovate and see your ideas come to life. The process fosters personal growth, enhancing skills like leadership, problem-solving, and time management. There’s also flexibility in setting your schedule and the opportunity to build a legacy for future generations.
However, there are downsides to consider. Financial risk is significant, with no guarantee of return on investment. The responsibility of ensuring the business’s success can lead to high levels of stress and pressure. Owning a business often demands long hours, especially in the startup phase, which can encroach on personal time and strain relationships. Market fluctuations, competition, and economic conditions create an unpredictable business environment. Business owners may also experience isolation, lacking the support and camaraderie that come with working in a team. Lastly, the success or failure of the business rests on your shoulders, which can be a heavy burden. Ultimately, being a business owner requires resilience, adaptability, and a passion for your venture, balancing the potential for great rewards with the ability to navigate risks however, I wouldn’t change it!
Elisa, 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?
I am a Visionary, an artist who uses hair, cotton, wood, murals, people, and pets as my canvas and muse. My creative journey has led me to explore various forms of art, each enriching my understanding and expression of how I show up in life. In addition to being an artist, I am a yoga teacher, meditation guide, and intuitive art teacher. I have the unique opportunity to combine all the techniques and insights I have gathered throughout my life into a new venture: a meditative hair salon experience. This innovative salon merges my artistic skills with the principles of mindfulness, offering clients a tranquil and transformative experience while they receive their hair services.
I am also still a pet portrait artist, working with acrylics and charcoal to capture the unique essence of beloved animals.
I am most proud of taking the risk to pursue each one of my dreams and witnessing them come to fruition. The journey has been filled with challenges, but the decision to follow my passions has led to incredible growth and fulfillment. Whether it was diving into the world of art, exploring different mediums and subjects, or expanding my skills as a yoga teacher, meditation guide, and intuitive art teacher, hair artist, each step required courage and dedication. My commitment reflects my belief in the power of dreams and the rewards of taking bold risks. Seeing these dreams materialize has been an immensely gratifying and transformative experience, reinforcing my faith in the beauty of following one’s heart. I couldn’t do anything I do without the power of my prayer life to Jesus and belief in myself. If you have a dream, write it down, create a vision board. Our minds see in pictures. Every morning I get up and in gratitude, I write out what I would like to see happen in my life, And then at least once a month I create a vision board using a collage from different magazines so I can have those vision boards hanging in my house in front of me to see everyday. So far everything that I have seen has come to pass! Keep dreaming, keep praying, keep creating! Without a vision, we die!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Pivoting in life and closing the chapter on a recent dream has been one of the most challenging yet essential parts of my personal growth. Despite my best efforts and deepest passions, there came a time when circumstances compelled me to reevaluate my path and make some difficult decisions. Letting go of a cherished dream was heart-wrenching, but it also opened the door to new opportunities and possibilities. This process required resilience, introspection, and the courage to embrace change. By recognizing when it was time to close one chapter, I made room for new dreams to take shape, allowing me to evolve and find fulfillment in unexpected places. While the end of that dream felt like a loss, it also marked the beginning of a new journey, enriched by the lessons and experiences of the past.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson I’ve had to unlearn is about my faith and religion. I had this belief that there is only one “right” way to practice or understand it. Growing up, I thought my specific religious beliefs and practices were the only valid ones, which led me to be judgmental or intolerant of other viewpoints. Unlearning this mindset has taught me to recognize the diversity of religious experiences and understand that faith is deeply personal and can be expressed in many different ways. Embracing this broader perspective has fostered greater tolerance, respect, and empathy in me, enriching my own spiritual journey and encouraging others on theirs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.visionarylhc.com
- Instagram: Visionarylhc
- Facebook: Visionarylhc
