As a publicist, I am privileged to work with many incredible entrepreneurs. I learn from them everyday and I’ve often wished others could be there to listen in on our conversations. My wonderful and talented friend David Albright, a video producer here in Seattle, suggested capturing these conversations on film.
My first interview is with entrepreneur Nicole Perriella. Nicole is an Ayurvedic Health Coach based in Seattle. Ayurveda, a natural healthcare system that is originally from India, emphasizes the importance of creating and maintaining health through proper diet, daily and seasonal routines, appropriate exercise and lifestyle.
Reducing Stress with Ayurveda
After launching my publicity company, the thing I struggled with most was implementing balance and routine. I would regularly skip lunch, skimp on exercise, and forget to take breaks. Many entrepreneurs can relate to feeling constantly overwhelmed, especially during the first couple of years when they are tackling so many tasks and donning several hats at once.
Through working with Nicole, I’ve been able to implement structure into my everyday life. In this first clip, she discusses how to reduce stress through Ayurveda.
Setting Boundaries
Nicole and I met over a year ago and have collaborated ever since. I have helped Nicole with her budding business and she has shared her invaluable lifestyle tips with me. Nicole often emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries in your business. There are some things you should never compromise on, whether that’s sleep or exercise. As you figure out your own “non-negotiables,” you’ll be able to run your business more effectively and efficiently.
Scaling Up by Doing Less
Since I grew up in India, the concept of Ayurveda is very familiar to me, but I can understand why the rationalists among us may initially dismiss Ayurveda as “wishy washy.” In practice, it’s anything but. Ayurveda is grounded in principles of logic and balance. By learning more about your individual constitution (or “Dosha,” as it’s called in Ayurveda), you can figure out which routines work best for you and how to implement them. Many of the tips seem simple at first glance, but it’s amazing how easily we forget to implement even the most basic, commonsense practices when we’re swamped with running our businesses. The incremental changes we learn to implement through Ayurveda can have a massive impact on your entire lifestyle.
As we scale our businesses, our mantra is often “more.” More clients, more revenue, a bigger office, a larger project. Sometimes however, running your business on speed dial may not always be the answer. Selectively choosing the projects that are the best fit for you may ultimately be more rewarding.
Journaling to Spark Creativity
The first time I met Nicole was over a happy hour in Capitol Hill. She was completely immersed in her journal, seemingly oblivious to the din around her. Journaling is a big part of Nicole’s life and she encourages all her clients to keep a gratitude journal. It may sound cheesy, but sometimes it’s easy to get bogged down by all the frustrations that are part of the entrepreneurial life. Nicole suggests that if you jot down all the things that are going well, it’ll help you maintain a positive outlook.
I hope Nicole’s insights will be as helpful to you as they were to me.Although I was specifically curious about how Ayurveda can be used as a tool for entrepreneurs, anyone can benefit from Nicole’s suggestions. To learn more about Nicole, visit www.nicoleperriella.com