Robyn continues to both support and inspire us at All Things Earthly. Robyn is the founder and editor of Holistica magazine. As a loyal customer, supplier and supporter, she has happily answered some of our questions in honour of woman’s month.
- What inspired you to start your business, and how does it align with your passion and values? Since I was little, I was always fascinated with healing and rituals and the mystery and magic that often went with them. My father had itchy feet so we travelled extensively and lived in the strangest situations allowing me exposure to indigenous cultures and tradition. In my twenties I worked at a Chinese Medicine Centre in London in Camden Town. I met a Qigong master with such command of his Chi (energy) he could throw you across the room with a slight touch; a woman who could cook up an anti-tobacco bean brew for nicotine addicts – 1 tablespoon in the morning and if you dare smoked you would instantly vomit. I interviewed a breatharian who hadn’t eaten for 2 years; a magic energy healer. I was fascinated by the healing arts. Totally hooked. Convinced everyone needed to know where to find these magical people and ever since then I’ve dedicated my energy to promoting practitioners, healing arts, retreats and everything related. Making my fascination into my work is very aligned with my values.
- As a female entrepreneur/founder, what challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them to create a successful brand? So many challenges! The trick is to make them work to your advantage. In the beginning, cash flow was difficult with little or no options for funding entrepreneurs. We bartered almost everything. We’d swap advertising for products, or pay our photographers in gorgeous getaways we had traded for advertising space. It’s such a great system, to barter. These days you can create amazing crowdfunding campaigns and rally your followers for cash flow. Another challenge is decision-fatigue. Exhausting making all the decisions all the time. Having a buddy system with a fellow entrepreneur who is not involved in your business is a life saver. An agreement to evaluate each other’s ideas professionally is such a comforting resource. Then as far as marketing advice is concerned. Creating community is the best successful brand marketing advice I could ever give.
- How do you incorporate sustainability and ethical practices into your business model, and what impact do you hope to make on the community? Rather than fear mongering about a disappearing planet we put out loads of beautiful content with an awareness transmission of how incredible our earth is. We wish to inspire awe and adoration for mama earth and in that way get people to treasure and guard the planet. Then more practically, with the print magazine we recycle every single issue. Most publishers shred return magazines. We don’t. We also ensure a long lifespan, and make the information collectible, timeless and useable. Now we have gone digital so there is no paper waste at all. Holistica also supports many initiatives from Greenpop to Earthchild and countless enviro entrepreneurs.
- What advice do you have for aspiring women entrepreneurs who want to start their own business and make a positive impact on the world? Whatever you decide on make sure it is planet friendly. That is our real business, to safeguard and love the earth. Then from a business structure perspective….
- Start from the end and work backwards. See your vision launched, successful and in its most magnificent form, and then plan backwards from there.
- It may feel unexciting to do this but literally catalogue who exactly is going to use your product/service. Why would they choose you. What is your unique and special offering.
- Go where the energy flows. You may be targeting a certain market but if there is uptake from another direction be prepared to go with the flow.
- Be very careful of being attached to an idea that may not be working. Be realistic and brutally honest. Bury an idea if that’s what is required.
- At least once a month, take the eagle view. Rise above your business and see the big picture – work on the strategy and visionary aspect instead of just the daily details.
- Make marketing 40% of your business endeavours. Keep going and know that when you reach a certain critical mass, you will suddenly start flying.
Robyn’s journey is an enchanting tale of dedication, empowerment, and cherishing the Earth. Her passion for healing arts and sustainability ignites a spark of inspiration in aspiring women entrepreneurs to create a positive impact on the world. 🌿💕
