Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erica Sartini-Combs. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Erica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

When I first conceived the idea for Guided Place, I envisioned a small, bespoke meditation service. At the time, I was deep into studying meditation and energy work, and I had been sharing my insights with others—receiving such wonderful feedback. I felt inspired to bring this more spiritual side of me to life, something I could explore “on the side.” Little did I know, I would soon step into this work full time and create something far bigger than I had initially imagined.

Naming the business was a journey in itself. I tried every free business name generator I could find online. This was five years ago, so I imagine AI-powered generators today would be even more efficient! I was sure I wanted “Guided” in the name, but I couldn’t quite find the perfect match. Then, a generator suggested the word “Place”. Guided Place. It felt like a sanctuary, a place for reflection, healing, and growth—whether through my voice in headphones or when I was with clients in person. And just like that, I had the name.

The name felt like me, but I needed help translating that feeling into a brand. That’s when I came across Hannah from Brackish Creative. Her tagline, “Building brands you can feel,” was exactly what I needed. Collaborating with her felt serendipitous; she understood my vision and guided me through developing a comprehensive brand guide that reflected how I wanted people to feel.

Now, four years into serving our community, Guided Place has grown beyond meditation into a guiding presence, holding space for personal growth and self-discovery. I have found a depth in this brand and the chosen words.

It wasn’t too long ago that I was sharing with a friend what my hope was for Guided Place. During the conversation, I found myself referencing the brand mark that Hannah had created with me.

There are two circles, one organic and one perfect. We are all on a journey of becoming ourselves. It’s not linear; it’s constant realignment through our choices. This journey is represented by the organic circle as it weaves its way in and out of intended form.

And along those circles, there is a star anchoring a moment in time—a guiding light. Like a North Star, it calls us back to who we are meant to be, helping us access our depth, wisdom, and potential. It’s the intersection of the spiritual and practical, of releasing and receiving, where we find balance. It’s the place where we come home to ourselves, embracing all that we are with grace and possibility.

My hope is that Guided Place helps clients discover their fullest selves. I’m honored to be a space where reflection and self-discovery unfold—a place of alignment with this beautiful, imperfect life we’re living.

Logo and Brand Design by @brackishcreative

Erica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Stepping into the holistic wellness industry wasn’t exactly part of the plan—it felt more like a natural progression as I followed my passions. I spent nearly a decade in Chicago as a casting director, immersed in the Arts. It was my world, and I wore “busy” like a badge of honor, until physical burnout forced me to reassess. I had already turned to meditation and energy work to help create a more holistic sense of self, beyond the identity I had so fully immersed myself in.

During my time in casting, I also began teaching a course for actors called ‘The Centered Actor’. It was incredibly fulfilling to help actors shift the narrative around what they could control, empowering them to step into a more grounded, authentic sense of self before, during, and after auditions. Despite these moments of fulfillment, I resisted the nudges to make a bigger shift.

When I relocated back to my hometown, I took on the role of Director of Product at a startup, which focused on creating opportunities for women to upskill and express themselves creatively. It was here that I truly began to see how much I loved creating community, specifically supporting women in fully expressing their potential. Trusting that spark, I decided to launch Guided Place as a side gig—a way to express this part of me outside of my “job role.”

In 2020, the startup became a casualty of the pandemic. By that time, I had already launched Guided Place and was taking on clients part-time. It was my husband who said, “Why not give this a real try?” The idea terrified me. I was used to a stable salary and felt vulnerable, but I also realized it was time to fully commit to myself. What would it look like to go all in on ME? It felt easier to support others, but it was my time to show up for myself, too.

Guided Place was born with the belief that through various tools and practices, we can reconnect with who we truly are—not the conditioning or identities we hold. It’s a space to nurture the connection between self and soul. What started as bespoke guided meditation eventually evolved into deeper training, and now I offer a wide range of experiences and tools for holistic growth and healing. My work includes Somatic Processing, Aura-Soma, and Chromotherapy, all designed to support clients on their journey toward greater well-being.

Much of my work focuses on a guided, body-oriented approach to release stuck energy, tension, and dis-ease from the body, while building the capacity for joy, pleasure, and thriving. I encourage clients to find a healthy rhythm in their nervous system, and from that well-resourced place, invite what the body already knows to the surface. This often leads to the completion and release of stress, tension, or instincts that were thwarted by past experiences or trauma.

The modalities I share are tools and practices I actively receive in my own life. I only share what I embody, because I’ve experienced their transformative power firsthand. Practices like Non-Linear Movement Method and Somatic Processing have helped me make incredible strides in reconnecting to my body and my true self. Without these practices, I believe I would still be living a life dissociated from my body, over-identifying with what I produce rather than who I am. We are human beings, not human doings, and I am deeply committed to this experience.

What I am most proud of is my willingness to thrive. It would have been easy to collapse under the weight of solopreneurship, but I keep showing up—for myself, for my clients, and for this community. This ongoing commitment continues to nourish and sustain me. I’ve found what I’m meant to do, and I feel the depth of that service.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

For much of my life, I operated under the belief that success was a direct result of hard work, long hours, and constant striving. This belief—deeply ingrained by the hustle culture we’re often raised in—suggests that in order to be successful, you must push yourself, sometimes beyond the point of exhaustion. The idea was simple: “Work hard, and you can achieve anything.” But over time, I began to realize that this narrative was incomplete and more importantly, unsustainable.

As I began my journey of deeper self-awareness, I started to unlearn this belief, not through intellectual understanding alone but through direct experience. I realized that success doesn’t always look like late nights and the frantic pursuit of goals. In fact, I came to understand that some of my most profound moments of growth and success came when I allowed myself to slow down, to rest, and to prioritize my well-being. I started to see that success can be just as much about being present, nurturing my body and mind, and honoring my inner rhythms as it is about what I achieve externally. I was actively redefining what success looked and felt like in my life — and in turn, my pursuit felt more easeful.

The idea that slowing down is a form of success can be difficult to embrace in a world that often glorifies busyness. It is not lost on me that slowing down is a privilege in today’s society. We are conditioned to believe that our value is tied to productivity and outward accomplishment. I guess, I’m simply saying, that we don’t have to sacrifice our health or our peace of mind to build something meaningful. In fact, tending to ourselves is essential for long-term growth and fulfillment. By unlearning the belief that hustle equals success, I’ve found a deeper, more sustainable path forward—one that honors both my ambition and inner peace.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What has truly helped me build my reputation is the way I’ve fostered a sense of community, not just through my 1:1 sessions but in the spaces I’ve created outside of them. Offerings like Casual | Ritual, our women’s circle, and group somatic work like my signature ReWILD: a movement meditation have been integral in cultivating true connection. These spaces allow for vulnerability, intimacy, and deep listening—all of which form the foundation of trust.

The sense of shared experience and collective support is palpable in these group settings. It’s not just about what I offer in terms of somatic practices or tools and techniques — but the opportunity to witness others and be witnessed ourselves. Trust is built in these moments of vulnerability, where people feel safe enough to show up as they truly are, without judgment. Through this shared vulnerability, my community has not only grown but deepened, creating bonds that go far beyond individual sessions. This sense of belonging and trust has been the backbone of my reputation, one where clients return not just for the work we do together but because they feel truly seen and supported in a space that’s rooted in care and connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.GuidedPlace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guidedplace

Image Credits

Photographer: Lola Bloom Photography
Model/Client: Maria Serrano