Business Owner Spotlight---Meet Avaluara Gaither Beharry, Owner of Avalaura's Healing Center

                      *** Photo of Avaluara Gaither Beharry ***

This week, I'm featuring a series of interviews that highlight small business owners in the Washington, D.C. area. These entrepreneurs prove that a shaky economy doesn't mean their dream of operating a successful business must be placed on hold.

Meet Avaluara Gaither Beharry, a Holistic Healer, Counselor, and Spiritual Teacher who  owns a holistic wellness center. She uses a combination of her education, intuition and life experiences to implement therapeutic services to improve the quality of life for her and others.

* Interview with Avaluara Gaither Beharry *

Avalaura’s Healing Center

What does the business do?

Our mission is to assist individuals in achieving genuine healing of mind, body and spirit by utilizing natural, holistic and therapeutic services, classes and products. 

Avalaura’s Healing Center integrates various spiritual and therapeutic modalities to customize a healing experience that is specific to an individual’s needs. 

Services include Marabout Spiritual Healing, Spiritual Counseling, Life Coaching, Reiki, Dream Analysis, Cord Cutting, Hypnotherapy, Chakra Balancing and other energy healing modalities.

Workshops include Reiki Training, Yoga, Meditation classes, Spiritual Development, Introduction to Crystal Healing and more.

When did you start the business?

November 2005

What did it take to get the business started?

One of the most important things I needed to get started was a nice location and office space that was a suitable healing environment. It was very important for me to invest in a beautiful space that was healing for people the minute they walked through the doors. I wanted my customers and clients to feel comfortable, safe and at peace.

On the business end, I got a good accountant, business bank account, Liability Insurance, Website and Marketing and Advertising tools (business cards, flyers, networking, magazine articles, social networking etc).

Personally and professionally it was important for me to receive the training I needed to be the best Healer, Teacher and Counselor. I have studied numerous healing arts in addition to my formal education. It was also important for me to practice and master what I’ve learned so that I could offer it to others. 

How long did it take to make profits and why?

Because my overhead expenses are relatively low and I work from home, it did not take too long to make a profit. However my business is cyclical and I have busy periods and slower periods (summer and holiday season). This influenced the amount of time it has taken me to truly make a profit and build a consistent clientele.

Why did you choose to start your own business?

As a social worker I felt powerless to be able to provide the type of services needed to effectively help someone and not just provide temporary solutions that don’t work. My goal is to help people to improve their lives permanently, to find a way to realize their dreams and get out of the conditioned cycle of merely existing and suffering.  This requires a new way of viewing healing that can not be done in the traditional way. 

I’m a natural entrepreneur and leader and starting my own business was the only way that I could do the work I knew needed to be done.  My work is my calling, it is my purpose for being, it is the work I was born to do. The way that I choose to do it may change and expand, but I will always be a teacher and a healer.

I see the possibilities and want the best for people, even when they don’t want it or believe they can have that for themselves. 

What are your responsibilities?

As the founder, owner and practitioner of Avalaura’s Healing Center, I am responsible for all aspects of the business.

I manage and operate all aspects of my private practice including seeing clients, marketing/advertising, organization, development, collaboration with other organizations and practitioners and strategic planning.

I provide individual, couples and group counseling, life coaching, hypnotherapy, Reiki, hands on healing and other holistic healing and wellness services.

I develop and teach workshops, classes and presentations on subjects related to optimal health and well being including yoga, meditation, manifesting goals, crystal healing and healthy stress relief.

What are some of the problem/risks with running your business?

The biggest problem/risk is not having a consistent flow of clients. I do not accept health insurance and health insurance does not cover most of the services I offer anyway. People have to be motivated to seek out my services and spend money on their health and well being, even in “bad” economy.  While most people see the need for the services I offer, they don’t include them in their budget.  Most of my clients have begun utilizing my services during a personal crisis where it became clear they needed help from a professional.

Therefore advertising and marketing are a major aspect of my business and establishing relationships with people who provide referrals. I’ve used social networking to my advantage and maintain lots of repeat customers and word of mouth referrals.  I’ve found that people need to know I exist and where to find me when they are ready to utilize my services.

What are some benefits of owning your own business and running it?

I love being able to provide the services I feel are best for my clients without restrictions. I am able to make necessary changes quickly since I do not have to consult others. I’m able to take risks in the types workshops and services that I provide. I have control over my schedule and have business hours that are more suitable for me than a standard 9-5 job. Best of all I work from home and via the phone. I love the flexibility of my schedule.  I am truly blessed!

Do you enjoy your job and why?

I absolutely love my work! This is what I have always wanted to do.  I have always utilized these skills even when I was not aware of it or not being paid to do so. My work is simply an extension of who I am. Most of all I love seeing my clients grow. I love hearing their stories and being apart of their lives as they change, live their dreams and experience happiness. My clients allow me to live my dreams by doing the work I’m most passionate about. My prayer is that everyone realizes that you can have it all. You can do the work you love. You can be happy!

Are there certain qualities you are looking in an employee?

I am looking for an apprentice/assistant/volunteer currently. I love my work, but it is not easy. It takes special people to be able to help others through some of the most challenging times in their life. You have to be empathic, compassionate, honest, loving, discreet, trustworthy, have excellent boundaries, listening and communication skills and be able to hold people accountable for their actions. 

Therefore I need to work with people who are trustworthy, honest and have similar values and ethics. Holistic healing is becoming very faddish and many people want to do this type of work for the wrong reasons. I want to work with people who are true to themselves, active in their own healing and genuinely care about helping others to improve their lives.  

If someone wanted to own a business like yours what are some recommendations for the person?

First ask yourself why you want to do healing work.  This work is a calling and comes with great power to help or hurt others.  Be very clear about your intentions.  Then you must do your own healing work first. It is not necessary that you are perfect, no human being is, but you must be very clear about who you are, your strengths and weakness and actively work on improving yourself.  You must practice what you preach.  You should not suggest or recommend tools or practices that you have not personally done or benefited from.

Even if you have natural skills and abilities (which most healers do), it is benedictional to do more formal training and get certified in the therapeutic modalities you want to offer.  Additionally, many holisitic practitioners have problems running a business and charging adequately for their services. Get the support and resources you need to run a successful business, take business classes if you need to- there are many free services such as the SBA, and do your research.  Marketing is extremely important, know your target audience, establish a presence in your community and use the social networking tools  (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace etc) which are free.   Lastly, realize that your business is a reflection of who you are.  Take risks and have fun!

Ms. Beharry, thank you for sharing your story with the Examiner. I wish you much continued success. *** If you would like to contact Ms. Beharry, she can be reached via phone at (301) 675-8723 or email at avaluara@avalaura.com.