We recently connected with Sheri Rathburn and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sheri, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
Nineteen years ago I took a huge risk and it began with a dream.
In 2006 I was in the midst of a personal storm where every level of my very existence was being challenged, shifted and shaken all at once. My marriage of 20 years was ending, I was running my thriving interior design business and raising my two very young sons all while in deep self healing and self discovery on every level.
I was coming undone. I was healing from old childhood trauma while simultaneously trying to survive the fresh wounds and pain from the life I was frantically trying to hold together at that time. Admittedly, some of those wounds were self inflicted and made worse by my own addictions, self doubt and fears.
Although, at the time, my coming undone felt very much like falling apart, through my intense practice of mindfulness and meditation, my chosen medicine to help me cope with so much, I came to realize that I wasn’t falling apart at all! I was FALLING BACK TOGETHER! I was observing the falling away of all that no longer served me and the falling away of all that was hurting me and literally holding me hostage.With that falling away, I became free. I was being renewed a little at a time and it was beyond transformative. I was falling back together into the person I was truly meant to be.
This is when the dream came to me. Sleep was much deeper that night than any I could remember in a long while. The dream was simple but profound. It was one of those dreams where it felt so real you would swear you were absolutely there but in a different timeline. I was standing by what felt like a shopping center and there was a large and endlessly tall sign in lights that read “Om2Ohm”. I heard a voice off in the distance say in a booming voice “Show others how you have helped yourself and use your gifts to inspire and guide”. With this, the dream ended and my quest began.
Upon waking, of course I was thinking to myself “Really? What does this mean and what do I do from here?” To me, clearly this was a HUGE message from the Universe that this was important and I needed to pay attention!
I began with the words OM and OHM which were prominent in this dream/vision.
Although I already knew the meaning of “OM”, I did a deeper dive into its meaning and symbolism. In ancient philosophical texts, “OM” is known as the sound of the Universe, containing all other sounds. It is also said to be the cosmic sound that began the creation of the Universe. “OM” is said to embody spiritual truth, divine energy, and the Universe. It is often chanted or meditated on to achieve higher levels of understanding and spiritual awareness.
“OHM”, as I spell it in the second part of Om2OHM, is the standard unit of electrical resistance in the International System of Units, formally defined to be the electrical resistance between two points of a conductor when there is a constant potential difference applied between those two points. Bare with me here… I know your reading this wondering how this is going to come together!
As it turned out, the “OM” and “OHM” meanings together embody EVERYTHING having to do with my healing, spiritual and self discovery journey combined! My personal freedom through healing, the resistance between where I was and how far I had come, and the creation of new beginnings through my devout practice of mindfulness and meditation ALL lead me to the discovery and opening of my greatest gifts. I knew I was about to begin what would be the catalyst for helping others for a very long time to come.
I took a monumental risk. I started my business OM2Ohm Meditation and Wellness center. No looking back, only forging ahead into the many unknowns of what I felt like was my destiny. Where was the money going to come from? Where would the time come from? Who the hell was I, as an artist and interior designer, to start a wellness center? Would anyone even take me seriously?
I was in the middle of separating from my husband of 20 years and also dealing with his crippling passive aggression toward me and his ongoing disapproval and sabotage of all that I did and any independence and financial freedom I was trying to gain. I was raising two little boys and all of the crazy busy and involved things that come with that. I was running my full time interior design business AND still trying to breathe and not resort to old addictions to numb myself.
I TRUSTED. I trusted my guts. I trusted all of the visions, signs and subtle messages that kept showing up in my life knowing that if it was meant to be, all would unfold in my favor and exactly as it should!
And, IT DID. It ALL DID.
I started with a very small 10 X 20 space in my friends fitness studio just to at least get the idea of Om2Ohm out of my head and into reality. I had to see where it would go and how it might evolve. I continued with my interior design business and allowed that business to pay for Om2Ohm and all of its expenses. I used my interior design expertise to create the most gorgeous relaxation space where clients could come and just be immersed in music, guided meditation and the beautiful environment. After I became certified as a mindfulness meditation teacher, Om2Ohm quickly evolved into my teaching others what helped me so much. I became certified in Reiki and sound healing and experienced the profound opening of my gifts as a clairvoyant and empathic guide and counselor. I began to teach classes and workshops as I continued to build a following any way that I could.
As I continued to grow I moved to larger locations throughout the years and learned so many valuable lessons in so many unexpected ways. Yes, there were obstacles and difficulties…many of them. There were many times where I thought I would have to give up and close down but I worked though it all and I worked harder than I ever had in my life to keep it alive. Remember when I said that if it was meant to be, all would unfold and evolve exactly as it should? That is EXACTLY what happened. Every time I was in deep distress and wondering how I would build the Om2Ohm brand, attract new clients, and still stay afloat with barely any capital, resources, connections and experiences would come to me right on time and exactly when I needed them.
Some of those experiences and lessons were hard as hell and NOT fun at all. I started small and worked my way up to a larger 1500 square foot studio space in Powell, Ohio and I was thriving. Within 2 years I scaled up again and ended up with a 4400 square foot studio which proved to be too much too soon. BIG lessons learned and BIG money spent in legal fees and back rent but I never allowed myself to feel failure or shame and I NEVER gave up! I did what I needed to do and downsized more than once.
It worked and I continued to thrive! I reached out for help and stopped being the stubborn Italian woman who thought she could do everything alone. I learned and I grew. I learned and Om2Ohm grew. I stayed humble and curious. I stayed grateful and full of grace for myself and my journey.
Om2Ohm became my passion, my obsession, and my way of life.
The monumental risk I took to make Om2Ohm a reality , 19 years ago this month, became the gift that continues to give to me, but most importantly, to others and I am beyond grateful.
Sheri, 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?
My name is Sheri Rathburn and I am the Founder of Om2Ohm. For 19 years, I have been an intuitive energy healer, spiritual teacher, Reiki therapist and clairvoyant guide.
I am a multidimensional soul, which means I am gifted in working with many modalities and practices. When you work with me, you will always receive exactly what you need in beautiful layers of peace and soul shifting expansion. I hold space for you as you navigate your full presence, balance, deep healing, and transformation!
Being a long-time women’s circle and ceremony leader is also a huge part of my heart and soul. Providing sacred space for divine feminine connection, sisterhood and spiritual expansion is one of the most beautiful offerings I am blessed to have and it has absolutely been the gateway to my incredible transformative events and gatherings!
I am a relentless hope dealer and a loving Soul Doula… It is my soul’s passion and my life’s work to help you birth your highest self and soul’s calling.
I am here to help you ignite and bring forth the light of your authentic self!
How did I get here and why am I doing this work?
My own personal transformation through holistic and spiritual discovery work and years of extensive study and experience led me to all that I do now. My journey was long with many tears, realizations, personal epiphanies, and emotional detours. All of those experiences led me back to my authenticity, back to my soul, and to my true calling. It was truly the perfect storm that led to what is now my life’s work.
I truly feel that I have always known my purpose in this life, and that is to deeply help others however I can. Even when I was a little girl I was aware that I came to this earth to model and teach self-love, but NONE of that made sense until I experienced my own personal journey through self discovery, healing my past, and an intensive meditation practice.
I found my medicine…
I was somewhat of a holistic tramp for about 5 years (insert giggle here). I had the money to try some things to help myself so I tried it all. So many interesting modalities like acupuncture, cupping, massage, psychics, and herbal supplements. Each helped in some way, but nothing made the difference until I found mindfulness and meditation. Studying and practicing mindfulness and meditation (which I thought was just going to be a passing fancy for me) was the holy grail of medicine for me. They became my light in what seemed like eternal darkness. Through mindful awareness and practicing various forms of meditation I was able to dramatically shift my perspective. Over time I was able to shift my entire way of thinking and being. My energy changed, my outlook changed and then my life changed…for the better. I was able to let go of all the things that were no longer serving me and now have all that I ever wanted and all that I ever needed.
But that awareness wasn’t just FOR me and my own personal transformation. It was a gift TO me so that I could share it with others!
It is my calling to help others heal as I was able to heal myself…
My extensive education, experience, and clairvoyant empathic gifts have enabled me to help countless light-filled souls deeply on every level for the past 19 years!
Spirituality is my entire life, my complete way of existing. My spirit, heart, and soul are devoted to service for the greatest good of ALL beings!
I am here to help you remember your soul self and activate your highest HOME frequency, so be ready to receive and also do the work in maintaining that frequency!
I choose to meet you wherever you are and guide you on your journey using what I call the human-to-human approach. I see you, I connect with you, and I am here for you… I am fully present, and I can show you the way back to your heart, back to peace and joy.
Some of my certifications and qualifications include:
~ Professional Clairvoyant guide and counselor with more than 19 years of experience
~ Certified Mindfulness Meditation Instructor through the University Of Holistic Theology
~ Certified Reiki Master in 5 Reiki Modalities
~ Certified Master to teach and practice Ma’Heo’O Reiki, Karuna Reiki, Usui Reiki, and Anchoring Light Reiki.
~ Ordained Minister/Wedding Officiant in the state of Ohio
~ Shamanic Practitioner
~ Grand Master Reiki Teacher/Practitioner (having practiced more than 10 years, received and completed further extensive attunements, study & practice)
~ Certified in Sound Healing Therapy using tuning forks and singing bowls
~ Women’s circle and ceremony leader for 15 years
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
When I started my Om2Ohm business, I quickly found out that even with all of the certifications I had, the gorgeous studio I had and with all of my enthusiasm, I had to work incredibly hard to build my brand and my reputation as an authentic and respected professional in my field. To add to that difficulty, 19 years ago, Reiki and meditation were not yet mainstream and an extremely hard sell!
To help build my reputation I continued to learn and experience as much as I could, whenever I could within the holistic wellness industry. I attended many classes, workshops and what seemed like endless networking events.
I offered free sessions and workshop attendance to others that I looked up to in the wellness business in exchange for honest feedback.
I threw myself to the wolves so to speak so that I could learn, make valuable friends and conquer my fear of failure and the need to be accepted.
I started my own women’s networking group just for women in small business so that we could support each other, earn and be SEEN!
I refused to give up and I stayed determined to become the best in my field in Ohio!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
As a holistic wellness provider, I had to unlearn my own expectation that in order to be successful I needed to have a large studio with many practitioners working for me or with me.
In the beginning, I believed that no one would take me seriously within my field if I was surrounded by other holistic practitioners within a large impressive studio. After several years of dealing with the drama of other not-so-authentic healers and the fact that NO ONE will believe in my business as much I do and be as passionate about my business as I am, I am deeply empathic and very passionate about helping others and empowering them to succeed but that quite often was taken advantage of and that had to change. I realized that I was putting myself on hold. I was putting my own gifts on hold so that others could ride my coat tails while I did all of the work.
I realized that they weren’t at fault because I WAS ALLOWING IT! I slowly but surely learned to set boundaries in place and I learned that everything MUST have a balanced energy exchange or I will continue to attract more of the same people and behavior all around me.
It was a beautiful gift to realize that it is MORE THAN OK to be he sole practitioner in my studio so that a can hone in and focus on the gifts and expertise I have to offer others. It is MORE THAN OK to scale down and have a smaller more intimate studio space without unused large glamorous spaces just because it looks good!
I had to unlearn that I am NOT unworthy of healthy connections and I am NOT unworthy of the success I have worked so hard for.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://om2ohm.com/who-is-om2ohm/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/om2ohm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/3brESsjbwAbM3K4Y/?mibextid=wwXIfr
