We recently connected with Larissa Anthony and have shared our conversation below.

LaRissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.

As a B2B wellness provider, I find that many corporations don’t view wellness as a priority in the workplace. A common misconception is that employees can compartmentalize their coping mechanisms when under stress. In reality, how they manage stress outside of work directly affects their performance, engagement, and retention.
My goal is to bring awareness to the importance of workplace wellness and help organizations create environments that support employee well-being, ultimately leading to a healthier, more productive work environment.

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 started Restful Essentials in 2022 as a way to educate people about the importance of sleep health and its impact on overall well-being through weekly newsletters. However, my passion for wellness and event curation soon led me to expand beyond education—I wanted people to experience Restful Essentials firsthand.

I began providing wellness experiences in multi-family communities to reach a diverse audience, engaging people with varying levels of wellness knowledge. I also saw an opportunity to redefine how apartment communities socialize. Beyond the usual resident events like beer tastings or game nights, I wanted to create experiences that not only bring people together but also equip them with wellness strategies they can carry throughout their lives.

Today, Restful Essentials offers a range of immersive wellness experiences, including group yoga, floating sound therapy, on-site farmers markets with live cooking demonstrations, tea blending workshops, and more.

Having personally experienced burnout in corporate America, I quickly recognized the need for wellness in the workplace as well. That’s why we expanded our offerings to corporations, providing workplace wellness programs such as seated yoga sessions, breathwork, relaxation zones, tea blending workshops, and leadership training focused on integrating holistic wellness practices.

What sets Restful Essentials apart is our commitment to making wellness accessible and inclusive. Every experience we offer is fully immersive—we provide all the supplies, refreshments, and elements needed to transform any space into an environment of tranquility.

Above all, I want people to understand that wellness isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. My mission is to reach as many people as possible and equip them with the tools to improve their quality of life—whether at home, in their communities, or in the workplace.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me has been word of mouth. In the multi-family space, my primary clients are apartment management companies and complex managers. When apartment managers see their residents genuinely enjoying a Restful Essentials experience, they are more likely to book recurring events and share their positive experiences on social media. Additionally, we provide media recaps, which help showcase the impact of our events and encourage further engagement.

The same applies to corporations for our workplace wellness programs. Within an organization, a senior leader—such as a director or higher—may seek a unique team-building experience and choose to book Restful Essentials. Ideally, as their peers see the value of our programs, they are inspired to do the same, which helps us grow organically.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Save, save, save! My business was initially 100% self-funded—a journey that was both fortunate and challenging. I relied on personal savings to bring my vision for Restful Essentials to life, ensuring I could launch without compromising my values or mission. I am currently seeking funding through grants, small business programs, and other mission-aligned funding opportunities that support wellness initiatives and community impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://restfulessentials.com/
• Instagram: Restfulessentials
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restful-essentials/

Image Credits

Deon Oliver (photographer)