We recently connected with Pooja Bakhai and have shared our conversation below.

Pooja, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Hahahaha. Real. The grass is always greener…No I am just joking!

Yes I am very happy and free in my creative energy, evolving offerings and life as a business owner.

I don’t have to wonder about regular jobs because I have “been there and done that.”

I used to be a school teacher, a researcher / doctoral student at Harvard and a community organizer – amongst a few other gigs.

Working in these more constrained environments helped me understand my sensitivities, skill set, and gifts while also illuminating the very serious drawbacks of working at places that are energetically draining for me.

I honestly think it makes me so much more grateful for the highs and lows of doing my own thing, and also disciplined in holding myself accountable throughout the journey of self-leadership.

Running my own business comes with it’s own set of fears and challenges, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world because its allowed me to express myself genuinely and work together with like minded people who are also interested in creating a better earth and humanity.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Sure. I’m Pooja, life coach, intuitive healer and founder of Lakshmi Sacred Arts.

I got into this work via my own healing journey that really came to the forefront during a stage 4 cancer diagnosis.

I help my clients to build authentic and fulfilling lives on their own terms. My clients come to me ready to shed old paradigms and live life on their own terms. I help guide them through these transformations by holding space so they can discover and trust their own brilliance.

I am most proud of continuing to heal and transform myself while I do this work with others. My path is always asking new things from me that are sometimes scary and I know that by continuing to take risks I am only making the spaces that I offer more potent. I am also proud of the relationships I have built with folks through this journey, as I truly believe that the depth of relationship and the genuine trust built between two people is what allows for the most powerful transformations.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Mhhmmmmmmm. I’m gonna be frank in that my approach is unorthodox.

I work with energy always. My clientele grows as I grow. The deeper I go in my own healing work, self trust, and creative expression, the more the energy opens up to support others. There is a right time for everything, and real growth takes time and patience.

I can usually sense when a new client is about to come in energetically. When I feel this, I open up space for it (so long as I want it). I make sure I have the spiritual, emotional and practical space to hold another human through a deep transition, and I get super clear on the work that I’m willing to do and the work that I’m not willing to do.

I also let those that don’t feel aligned go. Sometimes I feel the universe sends me people like this to check me, and it’s quite obvious when someone is not a good fit. Some people do not have good intentions. I don’t feel attached to outcomes any longer and that has served me and the alignment of the containers I hold very well.

Trusting my creative process has been the biggest thing. I do not believe in linearity or giving away my own inner authority on these subject matters. I just do what I feel called to do. When I am called to paint I paint. When I am called to write I write. When I am called to cry I cry. This is my process.

One more thing that I would like to say is that I don’t look to people with large followings for advice. In fact, if someone is famous or has a lot of followers I usually keep a healthy distance. Sometimes there are energies behind the scenes that don’t align with me.

I check my personal inner guidance with source, nature and my guides – not social media. These are beings and energies that I have built my own relationship with and I know I can trust. This has been very supportive for me.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yes yes yes, of course.

The vision evolves but I always have an intention because that is what guides the whole process. I also usually spend some time feeling into my intention before putting something out into the world to make sure it is in integrity.

Some parts of my vision are more personal and are simply experienced in shared space, gatherings, ceremonies.

But generally speaking, my goal is to help protect the earth and humanity, and to hold space for others to do the same by following their authentic path and sharing their unique medicine with the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: poojabakhai.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakshmisacredarts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lakshmisacredarts
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lakshmisacredarts
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pooja-bakhai-coaching-raleigh-2
• Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/w9mF1X2jyaJTXo6u7

Image Credits
Sugar Plum Creative