When I first started out my entrepreneurial journey I wasn’t sure exactly where it would lead, what I would do, who I would become and or how it all would unfold. The one thing I knew for sure was I desired to serve the world, make money doing what I loved and please God by fulfilling the calling for my life. After experiencing a Soul Eruption in late 2007 I vowed to take my life off of layaway and live it full out with no regrets.
If someone would have asked me four years ago whether my business had a soul I would have more than likely given them a blank stare and pondered the answer to the question. Back then, while I knew I was being divinely led, I wasn’t exactly sure what that really meant. Today I know exactly what it means and why it’s critical that your business has a soul.
When I think about my personal soul, that intimate place within, I envision a sacred place holding my dreams, goals, desires, and life line to my source of peace, prosperity and purpose. My soul is the space where only God and I commune, connect and co-create. Within this special place I am defined in my purest essence as a loving being who is connected to all other souls on a spiritual level. When I show up in the world and never speak a word it is my soul that people see, sense, feel and experience. I call it a soul scent. The aura and or aroma we exude simply by showing up as our authentic selves and sometimes our created selves. Have you ever met someone and without hearing them speak you were attracted, interested and or intrigued and wanted to know more about them? Well, that was their soul scent you were attracted to; the perfume of their purpose, the aroma of their inner goodness. The same is true when you meet someone who immediately turns you off, repels you or gives you that uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach. Something about the scent they spritzed into the air either made you want to connect or run away.
Your business has a soul whether you define it that way or not. Whether in person, written form or through social media, the business of your soul is speaking an attractive or repelling language that you may not be aware of. Some may call it branding, marketing and or advertising. Whatever you call it you should be mindful of the scent you are spraying out into the universe. I’m very clear about the soul of my business now and if you haven’t considered knowing and sharing your business’ soul you should. Here’s what the soul of my business says about me, my intentions and my purpose:
“I care deeply about people and am skilled at helping people free themselves from the limitations that keep them from living their lives full out. As a heart-centered, people-focused, conscious speaker and coach I compassionately, honestly and authentically engage with others to help them create fearlessly delicious lives. The soul scent I sprinkle into the world is inviting, fresh, magnetic and passionate. Even before I say a word people are curious, intrigued and interested in learning more about this savvy, sassy and confident woman. People seem to trust me, respect me and feel a sense of comfort in the transparent, peaceful, welcoming way I show up.”
How do I know this? Because I ask my clients, colleagues, friends and family what they see, think and feel when they engage with me. I ask them what message they get from my soul in person and or online. I ask them how they “feel” when they see my face, hear my name and experience me directly or indirectly. I also check in with my soul to make sure we are speaking the same language. When I think about that description it mirrors my personal soul perfectly. My business is my soul and my soul is my business. The way I engage with my family, friends, clients and or the clerk at the local grocery store is the same. When I take off my business hat I am still the same and I show up the same and authentic in every moment no matter who is in the room.
Ready to release and share the soul of your business? Use the following questions as spring boards to bring it to life.
- What is the language of my personal soul?
- Who am I without saying a word?
- How does the essence of my soul show up in the world?
- How do I want my business to be perceived by others?
- What message do I want to broadcast into the universe consciously and unconsciously?
- How do I want people to feel when they experience my business in any form?
- When people engage with me what kind of transformation do I want them to experience?
- What kind of personal and professional legacy do I want to leave behind?
- How can my personal and business soul send a congruent message?
- If I never spoke a word what do I want the soul of my business to say to the world?
I love living my soul-based business. The only requirement is for me to show up and simply just be who I am from inside out. There is so much peace, ease and grace in my life because my personal soul and the soul of my business are one. It took me some time to see the importance of releasing and sharing the soul of my business and now I cannot imagine doing work I love without letting my soul scent speak its delicious language loudly in every moment.
Catrice M. Jackson, Empowerment Speaker, Delicious Life Designer, Fear-Free Living Exper and Author