We were lucky to catch up with Ria Ray recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

I was living on Martha’s Vineyard at the time and I was a new mother. I also had a compulsion to help people. This selfless act was more the result of a tragedy that had befallen me than a sudden urge to reach out to those around me.
It was after this devastating loss – and the soul searching that came after it – that I developed an inner knowing that demanded I help others to heal.
I was always a compassionate person who loved to help others. But after my family perished, I realized that I had a gift to see through the mundane and help others heal what was holding them back on a soul level.
You could say that my intuition led me in the direction of those who needed my help.
It is then that I took action.
I started out by making a flyer with a butterfly logo (signifying faith and transformation) and dropping it off at a yoga studio on Cape Cod. After two weeks I got calls and within six weeks I had a booked schedule.
I did intuitive healing sessions and psychic medium counseling. I trusted what the universe was trying to tell me and manifested what I thought was in the best interest of those around me.
At the time I kept hearing a tiny voice inside saying, “You need to help.” It was terrifying at first because I didn’t believe in myself, but I knew I had to trust what I was hearing.
I did not know if I was going to fail or succeed at the time. But I was booked solid after ——weeks. My young son was part of this moral imperative, and I have found that children are what deepens the soul toward a greater truth within.
I now have a thriving healing practice and am a sought-after artist specializing in transcendent spiritual mix media artwork.

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?

RIA RAY

I am a Spiritual Teacher, Healer and Artist. My healing gift translates into my art and makes it part of the healing process.
I also help people find freedom from within, which in turn gives them tools to live a purposeful life. A life with purpose is something most people aspire to – but it is often elusive.
But, that is my gift. To help others live a soulful existence with meaning, creativity and freedom.
How is that done? I act as a catalyst to help others change their perspective into one that is positive and full of possibilities. With this new awareness people can live the life they were meant to live without restrictions that are often self-imposed.
I didn’t choose this path in the beginning – it chose me. After a family tragedy I had no choice but to drill deep into the depth of my being. This in turn gave me the ability to help others with their grief and blockages toward happiness.
I give people the space to be their authentic self and the tools to reach their optimal life goals. This could be career goals or lifestyle dreams.
I also have a product line that includes Candles, Mantra Ties, Inspirational books and other products that are in development.
My creations (and my art) come from a place of healing and love. This in turn helps people connect to a place of self-love within themselves. This is the medicine we all need to live a purposeful, balanced and meaningful life.
I offer private one-on-one sessions for healing; as well as group sessions, healing workshops and retreats. I have corporate clients, and also work with families and couples. I also do space clearing for homes or businesses.
The thing I am most proud of is that I live my life authentically, totally surrendering to spirit. I also practice my own wisdom. That means I use the same techniques I teach others to stay grounded. The sum total of this existence is to access my gift – that of helping people see the obstacles that are in their way of success or love.
My other true love is my Art. This includes mix-media sculptural paintings on canvas and Graffiti Art. I also do commission work that creates positive energy and enhances the dreamscape of the owner.
My artwork is also known for its meditational power to help people step into their greatness, while clearing and protecting their private or public space.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

On my path to becoming an artist, and a self-realized human, I had to unlearn traditional modes of thinking. In the past when things were uncomfortable, or an obstacle would get in my way, I thought it was terrible. Instead of thinking something was good or bad, I I learned that everything that happens is for my highest good.
I also learned that when bad things happen it helps me to evolve, learn things about myself and become a better version of myself.
I truly believe that every obstacle is an opportunity to experience more love, happiness and creativity. I know this theory is not a traditional one taught in school (or reinforced by our parents) but it is true for me.
I learned to embrace adversity and lean into un-comfortable feelings or pain, knowing that everything is creating space for something new and better. Things are not random, they happen for a reason. And that reason is most definitely rich in texture and deep in meaning.

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

The most effective strategy for growing my business was to know that my external world is in direct proportion to my internal world. I learned that If I want to change my external world I have to change my internal world.
That is why I focused on my own healing and listened to my own intuition for guidance.
I also allow the universe to provide for me when I do the hard work to evolve beyond my limited beliefs. This growth carries me toward more self-love from within, not from the outside.
Every day I wake up and think, “What do I need to do to heal myself.” This opens a door so I can see what I need to do to grow my spiritual and earthly purpose.
It also enables me to speak (and share) in much more creative ways and deepens my ability to help, serve and create.
When this happens it puts me in alignment with my destiny, and allows me to connect with the people that need me and that I need. The more we heal, the more we magnetize that which we need to grow our business. For me my business is my purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.riaray.com
• Instagram: @riaraysee @riarayart

Image Credits
Anne Yarbrough