Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jaz Burgess. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jaz, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.
Hustle Meets Grace originally started out as a wellness blog back in 2017, while on a personal healing journey. As a former Journalism major, I wanted to document my self discovery journey back to holistic health after a challenging season in my life. As I navigated through my own healing process, I discovered that my relationship with Christ, practicing yoga and going to therapy set me on the path to finding myself again.
Over the years, many people were inspired and transformed by my blog which afforded me the opportunity to speak on large stages regarding identity development. After helping several clients rediscovery their purpose and Identity, I realized that I needed to legitimize my offerings and decided to expand Hustle Meets Grace into a wellness consulting company in 2021. where I began to offer life coaching services that addressed the client as a whole. Shortly, afterwards, I became certified yoga teacher to better integrate the body into my sessions with clients having experienced the benefits over yoga for my mental health. Adjacently, I had been working as a life coach for first generation college students at a tier one university and noticed that the students I worked with needed far more support than I could provide as just a coach, so in 2020, I decided to return back to school to pursue another masters degree in clinical mental health and became a pastor where I serve as at my local church, The CLLXTV.
Now, having acquired many experiences and credentials, I’ve been able to facilitate experiences for clients to consider their human experience as a whole, supported by evidence -based practices and guidance. Today, Hustle Meets Grace facilitates its services under the umbrella of three core pillars of Jesus, Yoga & Therapy making it a one- stop shop for all things mind- body wellness. The newest service under Hustle Meets Grace is our sister company, Sol Haven Counseling which specializes in professional therapy for Christian millennials, pastors and ministry leaders who have experienced religious trauma, burn out and anxiety.
I believe each iteration to Hustle Meets Grace was necessary in order for it to be the thriving entity it is today. It is a true testament that God doesn’t waste anything and can use everything.
My best advice for a new professional considering starting the practice would be get a mentor… or several. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. Having a networks of mentors and creatives allows me to learn skills and enter rooms I never would have thought I would have access to.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Jaz Burgess is the vibrant force behind Hustle Meets Grace and Sol Haven Counseling. As a wellness trailblazer redefining self-care and personal growth, Jaz is a true testament of what happens when hustle meets grace. With a Bachelor’s in Communication Journalism, a Master’s in Student Affairs and Higher Education, and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Jaz is a powerhouse of knowledge and expertise in holistic health and wellness across generations. As the Founder of Hustle Meets Grace, Jaz is on a mission to help millennials and seekers of self-care and spiritual growth find their path to inner peace and authentic self-discovery.
Hustle Meets Grace, a wellness consulting company, has become a sought-after haven for those seeking a reconnection back to the mind, body, and spirit. Housed under the HMG umbrella are three core pillars, which Jaz centers her life around; Jesus, Yoga, and Therapy. The first pillar is “Remix Your Life Coaching” which provides Christian discipleship coaching that focuses on aiding individuals in becoming spiritually and emotionally healthy through personal goal setting. The next is HMG Yoga which offers both local and international yoga classes that blend self-care modalities like somatic movement and sound healing to promote physical and mental well-being, Completing the wellness trifecta is the newest service under the HMG umbrella, Sol Haven Counseling. Sol Haven provides professional mental health counseling for millennials, pastors, and ministry leaders who have experienced religious trauma, burnout, and the effects of purity culture among other topics.
Jaz is also a captivating public speaker, with her TEDx Talk that delves into the intersection of mental health and financial aid repayment, and has the pleasure of commanding many stages at conferences and retreats both locally and nationally. Additionally, she is a published author of the corresponding book, “The Student Loan Remix: Hip Hop’s Roadmap to Financial Freedom”.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, one of Jaz’s highest honors is being an ordained Pastor at The CLLXTV (pronounced “Collective”) Church in San Antonio, Texas. In her free time, you can find her roller skating or hanging out with family at a local coffee shop. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service sorority.
With her infectious energy and unwavering commitment to helping others thrive, Jaz Burgess is a force to be reckoned with in the world of wellness and personal development.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
If I could go back, I would have entered the wellness industry sooner. My decade in higher education, though fulfilling, led to burnout and ultimately pushed me back to school. Every step of my journey taught me valuable lessons necessary for my current path.
Starting as a Kinesiology major, I gained an understanding of the human body. This led me to Journalism, where I learned to articulate stories both in print and digitally. My minor in Public Relations honed my communication and interpersonal skills. My passion for helping college students navigate higher education led me to pursue a Master’s in Student Affairs and Higher Education. After a decade of working as a life coach for undergraduates, I encountered the mental and emotional challenges they faced, prompting me to pursue counseling.
In hindsight, every experience was essential. Though I didn’t start here, I believe I would have ended up in the wellness industry eventually.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Networking is the most effective strategy for growing my clientele. Contrary to the misconception that networking is just about meaningless conversations and handing out business cards, it’s about genuine connections. Attending events that align with your interests and engaging with like-minded individuals can create an ecosystem where everyone’s strengths contribute to impactful change.
Through these genuine relationships, you can become a trusted referral source. Many of my clients have found me through word of mouth or referrals from people I’ve built strong connections with. People are more likely to trust your brand if it comes recommended by someone they already trust.
Knowing your ideal client is crucial as it guides you to the right places to network. I focus on wellness and religious spaces because that’s where I find my clientele.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hustlemeetsgrace.com ; www.solhavencounseling.com
- Instagram: @hustlemeetsgrace ; @solhaven.counseling
- Facebook: Sol Haven Counseling
- Other: Psychology Today: Jaz Burgess
Image Credits
Jaz Burgess