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Supporting Irish business is a passion of ours at Image, and it’s easy with so many entrepreneurial and innovative Irish businesses to buy from. From now until Christmas we are highlighting Irish businesses or business people that we are excited about. Today it’s The Wellness Circle, a well being-focused gift box service founded by Yasmina Lenehan.
What is your name, and what is your business?
My name is Yasmina Lenahan. My business is called The Wellness Circle. I have just launched Wellness Gift Sets to help nourish and restore the mind and body. They help celebrate a special occasion for a loved one or make a great corporate gift. There are six gift sets currently and they pave the way for self-care time. They are a collaboration with over 20 Irish producers, everything used is 100 per cent natural and sustainable, lifestyle and gorgeous beauty products. Each box prompts self care and is beautifully packaged with a personal handwritten card.
My other service is a spa consultancy service. As a trained massage therapist more than ever I see the important need for touch therapies for wellbeing and how we are missing out on one of our most important senses! Interestingly, when spas re-opened after the initial lockdown it was the most requested treatment. I have teamed up with Emily Quinn, an amazing photographer who helps capture the essence of what the spa has to offer.
How long have you been in business? And what was your mission from the outset?
I have been in business just over three years but I found myself having to redesign my offering in March. I have just launched my wellness gift boxes and a worldwide spa consultancy offering. I previously worked in corporate wellness offering wellbeing programmes onsite to clients in Dublin but that’s on pause for the moment.
I trained as a Massage Therapist while I worked in programme management in universities here and abroad. I witnessed burn-out frequently and saw the need to deliver corporate wellness personally. It made me realise even more the importance of keeping stress at bay. My mission has always been to help people feel healthy and happy and empowered to make changes that are long-lasting and sustainable. For example, a balanced diet, connecting with nature and friends and getting a good night’s sleep.
Taking extra care of myself and family during lockdown helped me form the idea for my wellness gift boxes. There’s a power in practising daily self care rituals, a soothing certainty to routine. By creating beautiful spaces at home, fresh flowers, using essential oils for uplifting or relaxing, making time for baths and enjoying deeply relaxing balms and oils helped hugely, with therapeutic benefits. Making extra time for skin care. I believe taking small positive steps daily has a huge impact on how we feel and sometimes can impact how our day will go.
Of which part of your business are you proudest?
I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved recently with my new offering. I launched a new e-commerce website, with help from a great team, and dug deep into aligning my values and passion with this offering. It was a tough process as I found myself, like many, overnight, not being able to work. I’m really over the moon with my wellness gift sets. I wanted to create something that had an impact to how you feel in a positive way and I’m so happy to have collaborated with some amazing award-winning small producers, like Dublin Herbalists, Dr Coy’s and many more.
I graduated in April after a two year programme with The Entrepreneurs Academy which helped push me forward. I also did some mentoring work which at times was tricky with kids at home all the time! I’m proud for showing up and keeping connected daily when some days I wasn’t feeling it, especially during the first lockdown when I stared pivoting my business. I’m happy to have pushed through and kept the fear out most of all. Accepting help is something I’ve learnt is so important in growing a business and I’m glad to have really taken it on board.
Who are your business heroes? Personal heroes?
Business: Sonia Deasy from Pestle & Mortar. I love her ‘less is more’ approach to skincare and the range of products. She’s also an amazing entrepreur. Personally, I loved Jacques Cousteau growing up and was inspired to dive after reading and watching his films. I have kept all his books for my children.
How have you found the last six months?
It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster both professionally and personally. I have found emotions running very high some days and low others, very strong contrasts which I’m not used to. Professionally, I’ve learnt so much in the last six months and have really enjoyed the learning that came from the Thrive Programme I completed after two years which focuses on leadership. I have enjoyed the distraction and welcomed the connectivity it has given me, evening talks online, despite not being able to attend work events. I’ve realised I’m quite resilient. I’ve been very humbled by the collaborative spirit of SME’s and deeply touched how some have helped me. It has also made me realise even more what a creative Island we live on … the amazing talent of so many.
I have found daily doses of fresh air and exercise have been a tonic for our family. I felt even more grateful to be living by the sea and the comfort we got from seeing the kids run in open spaces. I found learning and creative play to be such a welcoming distraction and enjoyed getting lost in books and recently joined a wonderful online sewing group. I never thought I would make my own top!
What keeps you positive?
Yoga, running, swimming, the sea, my family, the adventure that life can offer you! Random acts of kindness and chats with family and friends. More than ever we should strive to keep the fear out and keep going with what we have and to focus on the positives!
Best/worst moment from 2020?
Spending Time with good friends in Dingle and taking our children on a magical boat ride around the cliffs, seeing Fungi again. Losing my father in law.
How will you celebrate Christmas this year?
It’s hard to say. We usually spend Christmas with my own family at home enjoying good food and them typically we go on local hikes. We tend to take a few days in Connemara afterwards unwinding. I’d love to sit in this sun this year and drink a Mojito!
Anything else you would like to let us know?
I’m taking orders now for Corporate gifting this season!
You can find Yasmina’s Wellness Circle on Insta, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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