We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Duncan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.
Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
September 2017, I set the intention of starting my own bodywork practice by September 2019. Flash forward to September 2019– I didn’t work a day in corporate world, yet when I chose this route— it was in fear and all risk. To this day, my family is immensely benefiting from that risk I took.
I quit my job with $66.82 in my bank account. Some of you, and let’s be honest, even I as a single mother couldn’t believe what I was doing. All while I had originally set the intent to be done working in the corporate world and working for myself by September 2019, I convinced myself as I was approaching the September that it wasn’t my time and to give myself six more months. I told myself March 2020 after I filed my taxes and had a little cushion for comfort that I would start then. Sometimes I wonder if I manifested this for myself. You see, before September 2019 my world shifted. My daughters at the time were in childcare. I started work at 7:30 AM and they started childcare at 6:30 AM. That fall was the first year that my daughter was graduating from childcare moving up to kindergarten. So, with the shift came a shift in our schedule. It has always been a priority as a single parent to be 100% present. I have always chosen to make money around my daughters’ school schedule. I believe it is an honor and a privilege to get to take your kids to and from school and I always have taken pride in being that woman/mother for my children. Yes, working around your children’s school schedule has its pros and cons. Sometimes you’re not making as much money because you’re restricted within the working hours of others as my practice is appointment based. There were many times throughout my single mother journey when living paycheck to paycheck I was late on bills. I would pick and choose which ones to be late on, which late fees I could afford, and which ones mattered first. Even at my lowest I always made ends meet and for that I am forever grateful.
Let’s get back to the months leading up to September 2019. June 2019, I get a 1% raise at work which truthfully was nothing because once taxes are taken out your checks are the same. During this time, I was receiving help from the state. As a single mother I was able to receive childcare aid. So, the state paid for a percentage of their childcare bill, and I paid the rest. The original bill was $1600, and I was responsible for $400 of it. I could barely afford the $400, but I always made it a priority to pay because it allowed me to work. That one percent raise put my annual salary $300 over the limit of receiving childcare aid and the state turned it off. While yes, my eldest was going into public school which is free, I still could not afford an $800 bill for one child to still remain in childcare. I cried and cried and cried and begged for my caseworker to please figure out a way to make it work because I wasn’t seeing the money from my 1% raise. My finances were still the same to me and I still needed that help in fact I only needed it for one more year because my youngest daughter would be in kindergarten the following year. I just needed it for one more year and there was nothing she could do. I was at a loss for what to do. Simultaneously, knowing that my oldest was going into kindergarten I no longer would be able to start work at 7:30 AM because not only was it a priority that I was 100% present, but it was also not in my cards to afford a nanny as I didn’t have the support some other single mothers have. I turned to my boss to ask for a shift change as the season in my life had changed. I’ll never forget the conversation we had at the end of August 2019. I want to remind you I was still working with my caseworker, and we were still trying our hardest to figure out if I could still receive childcare aid. I asked my boss at the time if I could start work at 10 AM and get off at 3 PM as it is a priority and important to me that I am a present parent. My boss was never friendly and that’s okay I’ve learned to understand and appreciate this conversation/moment in my life. We all have our own priorities and not all of us get to understand what those mean for others. I explain to my boss that my daughter was now starting kindergarten and I no longer could work from 7:30 AM to 2 PM and that I needed to work from 10 AM to 3 PM so that I was able to take my kids to and from school. And I quote, “The world doesn’t revolve around you, Sarah. My mom was a single mom and she figured it out…you can figure it out too…we do not have a 10 AM to 3 PM shift. Get a babysitter.” Regardless of her not being friendly, I was still completely taken back by this conversation. I was at a loss for words as I felt like everything was already crumbling, I couldn’t afford anything, childcare was getting turned off, and now here I am facing hardships with my schedule. And this is when survival mode kicks in. If there was anything I was good at it was surviving. I’ve done it my whole life.
I took off the last week of August because my sister was getting married. That conversation with my boss happened the weekend of her wedding. During that time, I just sat in my head. I pondered. I prayed. I cried. I will tell you this, I did not have a plan, but I did what I thought was best in that moment. I remember calling my boss and telling her there’s nothing more for me to figure out and that ultimately, I may have to quit. I remember her laughing and telling me that she couldn’t believe I would choose losing a great job over finding a babysitter. Sometimes we just don’t know what we don’t know. She didn’t know my childhood. She didn’t know why I chose to operate in the way that I did. I wanted to stay true to me and the mother I always aspired to be regardless of finances and true to my children because at the end of the day the world may not revolve around me, but to my children I am the world in which they revolve around and that alone gave me enough power in taking the risk in quitting. I want to remind you again prior to all of that, I had convinced myself to wait until March 2020 to quit… we will all never forget what happened in March 2020. The world shut down. I was expected to go back to work September 2, 2019. That last weekend in August I decided I would post open availability for massages for the first week of September around my daughter’s childcare schedule. To my surprise that night the entire week booked. I couldn’t believe it. Let me remind you again I only had $66 in my bank account. I decided it was best to call off work instead of quitting immediately. So, September 2nd I worked for myself out of my basement and made over $400 cash and that’s when it all hit me. I was no longer afraid because I knew I had income coming in every single day. I called my boss, and I told her I made my decision up. I thanked her for the opportunity of my job and the season of my life it provided for me because ultimately it got me where I needed to be in the exact time frame that I wanted. We aspire to have all these ambitions, dreams, goals, but as we approach those marker dates fear creeps in, and it confuses you and then you just want to hold off. I’m here to tell you the saying “everything you want is on the other side of fear”, couldn’t be truer and I felt those words true to my life for the first time. My boss told me that I had a great job and then I was making a mistake, but it didn’t align with my life anymore. I had to do what was best for my family. I quit. I turned my badge in and never looked back. A lot of power is held in survival mode. I believe if you choose this route there could be many opportunities to fail, but ultimately, I don’t think you’ll let yourself get there. At least that’s what I told myself. I had two little girls watching me that was enough for me to move mountains. By the end of that first week, I had over $1200 in my bank account in the next week was booked too. Did the childcare aid get turned off? It sure did. but was I able to afford the $800 bill a month as well as continue to be 100% present as well as 100% sole provider? With tears, yes. Slowly but surely everything I wanted was on the other side of that risk. My whole life changed. I could afford every single bill. I was never late on my bills. Before we knew Covid was coming I was able to take my daughters and I on our first family vacation to Disney World the end of February 2020 going into March. Six months…the six months I wanted to wait it out I built my entire business, and it was extremely successful. Had I chosen to wait to quit in March 2020 I suppose it would’ve happened regardless during that time because the world shut down and maybe that would’ve given me courage to quit then? Who knows? Maybe I would’ve stayed at the thought of security in knowing that job still was income even though it wasn’t enough. Ultimately, I would not have built what I needed to build to not only achieve my dreams and goals, but to also get me through a time none of us were prepared for.
I like to think I manifested it for myself. I like to think God shook me in my core to quit. I like to think everything that was happening to me during that time was actually happening for me. Who I am today is not who I was end of August 2019. That one small risk I took indefinitely shifted my whole mindset around money and risks. I now fully believe there are no risks but all lessons to be learned. Money no longer controls me. Not because I’m successful at making it on my own now, but because I choose to see it as an abundant resource that is always making its way to me. The more I held onto it I always seemed to struggle. I found the more that I let go of it that it would always come right back to me in full. If you ever find yourself in the situation where nothing seems to be working out, take time to sit in silence because there’s a reason why and it is on you too decipher the chaos as what is happening for you not to you.
Sarah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hi. My name is Sarah Lynn. I’m a Wellnesspreneur and CEO of Haven Wellness. I am passionate about helping people find alternative + natural ways in healing their bodies. Our philosophy: We believe massage and self care practice is a necessity- not luxury. My bodywork style is both therapeutic and nurturing. With 12 years of experience, my honed skills, and intuitive touch help powerfully unwind the body, while helping your mind and spirit deeply rest into the reset you need.
I graduated from Irene’s Myomassology Institute in Southfield, Michigan. I have been a Licensed + Certified Massage Therapist in Michigan since 2011. I am an insured member of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP). I’m trained in various modalities of therapeutic massage and bodywork including Myofascial Release, CranioSacral Therapy (CST), Trigger Point Therapy, Stretching, Hot Rocks, Prenatal, Elderly, Reflexology, and Chair massage. Additionally, our services include enhancing wellness technologies and products add ons such as, oxygen therapy, infrared PEMF mat, full body traction, CBD and THC oils, Graston technique, cupping therapy, and the PowerDot tens unit.
To add to my Health & Wellness career, in April 2020, I completed my Pn1 Nutrition certification through Precision Nutrition. I’m now also a certified Nutrition Coach!
Prior to graduating Irene’s I went to University of Michigan in Dearborn for one year. I have always loved Science and the human body. I wanted to be a nurse anesthetist, but truthfully, I just didn’t vibe with collage. It was overwhelming, and I didn’t feel smart. I’m more of a specialized learner, not a standardized. I like to know exactly what I need to know. Why I scheduled tour for massage therapy school is beyond me. but I can tell you I didn’t know it would turn into my forever passion. Not a day goes by where I feel like I’m working. I absolutely love what I do. It’s a dream come true for many. Love what you do, and make an income off it. Impact > Income.
Our Brand Values:
Dedication-
Lasting change takes time and discipline is a form of self-love. As a brand, we are dedicated to committing to our goals and vision, and we hope to inspire, and hold accountable, our community to do the same.
Community-
We are all a reflection of each other. As a brand, we will use our stories to build up and inspire the community and learn and grow from one another.
Growth-
Life is full of setbacks, but we will take them in stride, recognizing that every challenge makes us stronger in the end and that we’re on an ever-evolving journey to becoming the best version of ourselves.
Self-Love-
We are committed to self-love, listening to our bodies, having grace with ourselves, and prioritizing the things that make us feel our best.
It is a goal of mine to embed in not only my clients, but in everyone that bodywork practice as a necessity because I find when you feel good, your problems feel smaller and more manageable. Not only that, but in turn you choose to make better choices for your health when you feel good. It’s full circle.
I’m most proud that my vision and brand is backed by the many testimonials and reviews I receive regularly. I knew I was made for more when very early on in my career one of main responses I received was. “I’ve had many massages all over the world, but nothing like this. This was by far the best massage I’ve ever experienced.”
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Recently, within my business I had to learn a hard lesson. May 2022, I decided to expand my business and create a Recovery Center. The Haven Wellness Recovery Center is home to advanced wellness technology devices designed to provide the community with a safe space to nourish and inspire the mind, body, and spirit.
Our amenities included: The Fitness Studio, which is a private interactive personal training studio designed by FORME. This complete smart gym is designed to fit your personal lifestyle. Studio accessories include yoga mat, 3-10 pound dumbbells, ankle weights and resistance bands.
The HigherDOSE Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna detoxify your body, relaxes your mind, boost your mood, promotes glowing skin, and ignites a healthy dose of your brains feel-good chemicals.
Infrared PEMF go Mat. Side note: The PEMF mat is also provided during your massage. Stay grounded, raise your vibrations, and recharge your body. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) grounds you in the earth’s magnetic field for a full body reset, while infrared’s deeply penetrating heat doubles your dose of recovery and detox.
Red light therapy mask. Get your glow on. The higher dose red light facemask as a light therapy device that combines red and near infrared LED technologies. Light therapy is a gentle, non-invasive treatment.
Are we offered monthly memberships starting at $50 for unlimited access and droppings were $15 per session. Our hours of operation ran from 4 AM to 11 PM as a private booking experience. We also provided towels, disinfecting products, stretching and mobility accessories, and a TV for relaxing purposes.
Where I failed in my business was not reading the contract of the lease agreement for the room. I work out of a shared offices building. Our building is code access as well as my suite. I wasn’t aware that I wasn’t allowed to operate my business without being present, but as a member of the building per my lease agreement, we are to be present when our business is operating. We were open from June 2022 to the end of October officially closing November 1, 2022. It was extremely bittersweet because I felt as though I failed as a business owner, but I was also able to see the beauty and the chaos. While yes, I had to close it down because I wasn’t able to operate within the lease agreement, I realized that my vision for my business has outgrown the suite/building that I am in. My current lease ends April 2023 so in the meantime of that ending it is our goal to be in a very building of our own. While yes, I was knocked down for a little bit, I always choose to find the reason why things happen in the way that they do. What I got to experience in that short amount of time was that the vision worked. The amount of memberships booked paid for the entire room of rent and was just starting to profit. It’s comforting knowing that the business didn’t fail it’s just on pause. Reflecting back to the story I shared with you on the journey of working for myself and how I feel God was shaking me in my core by making everything go wrong so I could hear that I needed to work for myself is this same situation. I feel it in my core that He is shaking me out of what I feel is a big building, but he knows Haven Wellness is meant to be its own storefront.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
To be honest, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been word of mouth. I’m honestly grateful that I just get to put my hands on people and those people are sending more people my way. I view my practice as a family practice. I do body work on a lot of families. I feel so blessed in knowing so many of my friends and families trust me with their bodies every single month. I offer both month-to-month booking as well as memberships. When purchasing a membership, you’re committing to either six months or 12 months and you’re able to book your massages out to your liking. Some people like to use them weekly, biweekly, tri-weekly, or just monthly. I purposely created massage memberships to rewire your brain thinking “massage is luxury”. Paying for your membership in full allows you to habit stack. Savings in a few ways, of course, so it’s incentive plus rewarding. Your hourly rate for your service is discounted. Payment is now out of sight out of mind. This helps with a few things: accountability, commitment, and something to look forward to a self-care. You are choosing to make yourself a priority. Payment in full— accountability; out of sight out of mind. When we have something to lose, we are more likely to actually make it work for us. Payment in full— commitment; I prioritize those who prioritize themselves. Payment in full— having something to look forward to. This really helps in a great way for your mental health. It’s always important to book out something that you look forward to. Life always wants to hand us lemons, stay ahead of your problems by taking care of yourself. I’ll remind you again: the more you take care of yourself, the better you feel and the smaller your problems feel. It’s full circle.
Memberships don’t just set me up for success. Here’s where the trickle of benefits come in. You are now booked out for bodywork. Not only does one receive bodywork regularly, but now they are implementing more wellness within themselves. Mindful of getting into the gym, drinking more water, eating what foods better serve their body, making sure they’re stretching, and more mindful and aware of when the pain comes back. Most importantly, they are showing up for their friends and family in a “never felt better” mindset. Able to do more and give more from filling their own cup. It’s okay to be selfish. This I promise you isn’t luxury. It’s preventative. It’s holistic. It’s medicine, and it’s necessary.
How else will you ever be able to give if you’re not receiving?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.havenwellness.co
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/havenwellness.co
Image Credits
They’re all face down. I don’t know all of their names. But these are all before and after one hour with me.