We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Samantha Hobbs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Samantha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Hello there — I’m Sami, founder of Your Inner Wisdom. I am a Brand & Web Designer, Empowerment Photographer, and Holistic Mentor for heart-led businesses in Sarasota, FL and beyond.

This is a story of inviting all parts of me to the table: the artist, the woman with chronic pain and a big heart, and the woman that studied Economics and had a really strong innate business sense…I just had no idea how all of these layers would come together to create the business woman I am today!

You see, for most of my life, I disassociated from my body and turned to numbing behaviors to control my emotions and racing thoughts. I was deeply ashamed of what my body looked like and how it operated, and I struggled with chronic pain from endometriosis and vaginismus. I always felt really deeply and had trouble hiding my emotions (which really, is a good thing!) I was a people pleaser and hyper aware of other people’s perceptions of me, which meant that in my first corporate job I struggled to keep up in the fast paced, competitive environment of a corporate travel role that boiled down to one thing: how much could you sell? How well could you keep up?

That’s all to say…I didn’t make it very long in that role. I left after 9 months & quickly packed up my apartment in Boston and made the QUICK decision to move to NYC….in fact, that move was the first big time decision I made that was completely rooted in my intuition.

Just a few months into moving, I had already ingratiated myself in a few wellness based networking spaces, and was introduced to the woman that would become my first branding client: Sophie Shepherd of SHE Talks Health. At that time, she was a newly certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner with a non-exisistent brand. I started supporting Sophie with her headshots and marketing photos (I had been taking photos since I was 15, after all!) and soon had taken over her social media and became her ongoing Brand Manager — simply learning as I went, but relying on my people skills and keen creative eye along the way.

And then COVID hit…and so many people had been suddenly let go from their jobs or had moved on due to the high-stress environment of that time. They wanted to control their future, find purpose from their passion, and start their own business. And with everyone confined to the online space, these newly minted entrepreneurs needed visual brands and websites, FAST.

As I started helping more and more wellness professionals (health coaches, functional practitioners, yoga teachers, and the like) with building their visual brands, I noticed a pattern — a lot of these women had left their previous careers after suffering from longterm burnout, chronic health issues, and declining mental health…and I realized that the very traits I had always felt so ashamed of truly became my superpowers in supporting them in this stressful and transitionary time.

Over the past 5 years, I have helped many fledgling entrepreneurs who need a nourishing, loving and supportive approach to navigating the (VERY SCARY!) process of taking control of their life, their time, and their future.

Ultimately I have developed a hybrid approach that integrates compassionate business mentorship, intentional brand development, and powerful mindset support to create a sustainable foundation for new business owners –- a foundation rooted in their unique essence and pure wisdom — a foundation that makes room for ALL of them!

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

As your partner in all things brand and business, I create and deliver an integrated strategic vision that includes everything from brand development, social media templates, marketing materials, brand photography, and website design to business planning, offering suite creation, and developing marketing strategies. On top of this (I know, there’s MORE!?) I provide solution-oriented and creative coaching to support you through every sunrise and sunset of your entrepreneurial journey.

Our journey together is centered on diving deep into the nitty gritty, the messy, beautifully complex and profound core of your story and creating a business that is a complete and accurate reflection of YOU.

Trust me — that is the type of magnetism that forges an unbreakable bond between you and those you serve, that encourages them to say YES to your offerings or products, and remains sustainable for you because you’re no longer putting on a mask and hiding who you are. (That’s right — it’s time to step out from behind the curtain).

Your Inner Wisdom programs, workshops, and in person experiences are customized exactly for someone like you: someone who is looking to create an ethical and successful business, create tremendous impact in the world, and become the embodied and confident driver of their own deeply fulfilling life.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

For modern entrepreneurs, standing up as the bold advocate for your business is EVERYTHING. And this means showing your FACE online — which usually causes a *gulp* moment for new business owners.

I take a very vulnerable, authentic approach to social media and use my platforms to share my everyday goings-on…which includes the not-so pretty parts of life, too!

For example, I had mouth surgery a few months ago, and the prep and healing process took well over 6 months.

Now, I still need to connect with my community and drive my mission forward – which meant showing up online with a MISSING tooth, stitches, and a bruised face.

I received SEVERAL inquiries about working with me for brand photography because people were so drawn to my no-holds-barred approach! They loved that I was willing to show up, regardless of how I looked.

I believe when inspiration strikes, you’ve gotta share – even if you are missing a tooth!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being willing to DIVE IN with a niche and embrace my unique approach to what I do. PLUS delivering and fostering longterm relationships with my clients!

I remember a few months back when someone posted in a local Facebook group looking for a “brand photographer with a spiritual bent and someone willing help me be comfortable in front of the camera” and at least TEN people had tagged me within a day. “@sami hobbs” “@sami hobbs” “@sami hobbs” just kept popping up — which showed me that I was known for something. I was known for my approach, and my ability to help clients feel comfortable!

This is so important because I am NOT for everyone — and you won’t be, either! You have to be willing to say WHO you are and WHO you support, and who you ARE NOT and who you DON’T!

When you get honest, your reputation will strengthen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yourinnerwisdom.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourinnerwisdom.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sami.hobbs.5/
• Linkedin: It has been hacked, LOL. Help?

Image Credits

Image Credit:

Images of Sami Hobbs: Kristine Casart // Sami Hobbs Self-Portrait.

Designs, Photos of Sophie Shepherd and Ciara McKinzie & Business Cards: Sami Hobbs of Your Inner Wisdom