[quote style=”boxed”]Say yes to opportunities that align with your vision and purpose. If the passion is there, the “how” will fall into place as long as you do the work.[/quote]
Shari is the author of the forthcoming book 13 Mind-Body Habits for Health: The SPA Time Living Guide to Overwhelm Resilience & Work-Life-Wellness Integration. Her multiple SPA acronyms sum up what she does and why.
Shari specializes in researching and developing strategies, support and programs to help moms and “solopreneurs” build “overwhelm resilience” through:
- Strategic self-care
- Purposeful productivity
- Accountability, awareness and authenticity
She does this because self-care promotes ability–the ability to thrive, serve, give, love, grow and share. Shari is fond of saying, “We can’t give what we don’t have, so we must start with ourselves to make a difference in the world.”
Shari received a B.S. in exercise and sport science from Colorado State University, and her M.B.A. from Portland State University–although she credits travel, mentors and her many life experiences as her greatest teachers. After receiving her M.B.A. and spending more than seven years in the fitness industry, Shari went on to work for a marketing consulting firm before realizing she had a strong pull toward the entrepreneurial path.
In early 2005, when their son was just three months old, Shari and her husband Gary co-founded and launched Denver’s Cambridge Construction, LLC, an award-winning construction and remodeling company. She went from whipping her clients into shape to establishing the business that whipped clients’ homes into shape.
Shari’s passion for wellness and organization were challenged during her early years of motherhood. A few of her obstacles included experiencing complications after having her son, starting a new company, and being on bed rest for more than 100 days (in a hospital bed!) when she was pregnant with her daughter.
Throughout this rough, personal journey, Shari discovered how many moms had similar issues. She realized that it wasn’t about balancing things, but rather integrating wellness and productivity. She set about to find support and make time where, when and however she could–knowing this would be both her personal and professional mission.
Shari became focused on helping all moms find time and support for what fuels them. She started doing this for herself in 2009 by creating the blog SPA Time Mom, completing a 200-hour yoga teacher training, and processing issues around losing her own mother to severe mental illness when Shari was very young.
After waiting for “the right time” and joining a virtual team as project manager, Shari made a choice and commitment to bring her own ideas to life with SPA Time Living. The amazing contacts and connections she’s developed by saying yes have allowed her to start strong in her movement toward creating happy and wholehearted lives.
What are you working on right now?
Along with finishing up my book, I’m also putting the final touches on a 21-day mind-body habit and willpower training. I have a group of 21 women testing out the 21-day program starting next week!
Where did the idea for SPA Time Living come from?
Besides the fact the I love the spa and have a background in wellness, proactive renewal and self-care, the acronym and business idea came to me amidst the early challenges of adjusting to motherhood. Our daughter was born two months early and ended up with a rare lung disease. Her first year of life was rough. I was trying to hold it together, but wasn’t doing so well. My amazing husband realized that I was depleted and suggested I go to a local spa for the weekend.
My personal approach to wellness includes writing, visioning and taking a little time for myself. I found myself inspired and rejuvenated with the acronym SPA. I saw it as an amazing opportunity to heal and then to begin to serve others.
What does your typical day look like?
Is there ever a “typical” day when you have children?! I’ll share my typical daily plan, but know that adaptability and flexibility are probably more typical! I wake up at 4:45 a.m., get dressed and head to gym. At 6:15 I’m back home. If the children are up, we snuggle, have breakfast, and tidy up and get ready for day. If not, I review goals and journal until they wake up. From 8:30-9:00 I get the kids to school, and on school breaks, 9:30-3:30/4:00 is my primary, focused work hours before the kids’ afternoon activities begin, but of course it’s all flexible with the home office!
How do you bring ideas to life?
Step 1: Identify a market need that aligns with my skills, passion and purpose.
Step 2: Release fear and embrace the power of possibility.
Step 3: Take the first step!
What’s one trend that really excites you?
Social media networking and virtual mastermind groups. I’ve found amazing communities and mentors this way.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I worked briefly doing follow-up/sales calls for a photography company. I learned two important lessons: 1) I do not enjoy monotonous work and 2) It can take many noes to get a yes.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would find mentors and like-minded networking groups sooner. I am amazed and grateful for the difference this has made in all areas of my life and business.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Say yes to opportunities that align with your vision and purpose. If the passion is there, the “how” will fall into place as long as you do the work.
What is one problem you encountered as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Gaining traction and confidence. I learned quickly that it was up to me to be open to possibility and to begin networking. Saying yes has led me to some amazing mentors and groups full of like-minded peers who “get it.” We are able to support each other, share ideas and exchange feedback. It’s very powerful.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Implement daily and weekly reviews of goals, visions and action steps to make sure you are tuned into your values and purpose. Keep your feet moving and never lose sight of your goal.
I also offer exclusive insights and tips to integrate productivity and wellness, in my free resource, The Weekly Retreat.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and how would you go about it?
I’ll answer the question, “How do you plan to change the world?” We all have the capacity to facilitate change by starting with ourselves. The ripple effect is real and powerful. I intend to keep learning, applying and sharing to help women understand and implement non-negotiable self-care for improved self-esteem and support. We create our own paths and stories, no matter what cards we were dealt.
I did an interview last year with The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and fell in love with their mission to spread kindness via outreach to schools. Talk about wonderful steps designed to bring positive change. As we educate and share, we must also model and be the example; we must create our own ripple effect by serving from a place of abundance.
Tell us a secret.
Hmmm. I’m pretty much an open book and wear my heart on my sleeve. Honestly I can’t come up with much here, unless you count my secret obsession with listening to personal development audiobooks and programs while driving or doing work around the house!
What are your three favorite online tools or resources and what do you love about them?
- Google Calendar is my lifeline. I use it to manage all my work, family and project calendars in one place.
- Evernote is my capture tool for ideas and information, and is with me on my phone, iPad and desktop.
- Dropbox is my cloud tool. I love being able to access my files anywhere.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
This is a tough one because I have so many. I’ll go with Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.
Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?
- Brene Brown is a vulnerability researcher at the University of Houston who studies shame, empathy, and courage. She’s an amazing speaker and writer.
- Marie Forleo is not only a mentor but also is also great at sharing valuable, actionable content.
- Fabienne Fredrickson is another mentor I love who delivers tips and strategies for entrepreneurs.
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
A few days ago, when I was struggling with how to handle my daughter’s temper and tried the suggested technique of role playing. I pretended to be her and started throwing a temper tantrum. My kids both thought this was quite funny, and the three of us soon had tears in our eyes because we were laughing so hard!
Who is your hero?
My grandfather. He’s 92 and still golfs every day. He just decided that it might be time to stop seeing patients after 70 years. He’s cultured, kind and brilliant, and I’m so grateful to have him in my life.
What’s your favorite quote or saying?
In grad school, I did a project for Nike’s Global Management Development and Learning Department, so I was quite fond of the phrase, “Just do it.” More recently, I’ve really embraced the following quote from Aristotle: “Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”
What are your greatest strengths and how does this help you in your business?
I did the Clifton Strengthsfinder and discovered my top five themes were empathy, input, individualization, learner and intellection. The key applications of these qualities are my intuition and ability to connect with others. I have a strong ability to see people as unique individuals, which is extremely valuable when building programs around awareness and authenticity. Because I love taking in new information, I aim to be a catalyst for change to build “overwhelm resilience” through SPA Time Living.
Connect:
Shari Beaudette on Twitter: @spatimeliving
Shari Beaudette on Facebook: www.facebook.com/spatimeliving
SPA Time Living’s website: spatimeliving.com
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.