In Conversation with Amber-Lee Lyons of Chakra Girl Co.

Describe your business in a few words?

Chakra Girl Co. is a platform dedicated to supporting women to align with their soul's essence and their inner goddess by activating their chakra energy.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I started healing my own chakras using crystals and meditation. Once I saw how quickly the world around me changed because of these practices, I knew I had to share them with the world. The first business was a crystal and gemstones jewelry business, but people needed more support with their chakras than a crystal bracelet could give them. I was getting so many emails asking me how to unblock your chakras so you can find your purpose and launch a business, so I started supporting women to go deeper with their journey.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I was working in the fashion industry as a wholesale representative for major department stores, which is why in my first business I tried to keep the fashion element with the jewelry!

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

My teacher in grade 2 told me I would be a CEO one day, I had no idea what it meant at the time, but I guess I always had that drive in me!

Take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

Once I transitioned from the chakra jewelry to helping women find their purpose and start a business I was trying to be super professional. I was very timid in my messaging about the spiritual side and it was a total miss. It took me a good couple of months to fully put my truth out there and that's when it really connected.

We always learn the most from our mistakes, share a time with us that you made a mistake or had a challenging time in business and what you learned from it?

I started to get really jaded at one point because I was working so many hours and not having fun anymore. I had created a story in my head that I had to be the person doing all the things and that people would be disappointed if I didn't. I decided to remove my ego from the equation, hire people co-coaches that had different strengths than I did, and was able to scale my business by 100% in 1 year.

What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?

I am most proud of the accomplishments that my clients have! When I see a client make $100K in their business in year one, or even when they simply overcome a fear of showing their face online, that's what makes the work all worth it!

When hiring for your team, what is your go-to interview question? Please share any hiring tips you can share from your experience?

When hiring we always ask people to share their core values as a person, not as an employee. We want to make sure the energies are aligned with our core values which are self-mastery, accountability and heart-centredness. You need to hire people you enjoy and also people who have opposite strengths as you. Take the KOLBY test and have them take it too. I am a quick starter which means I am not a finisher, nor do I have attention to detail, so I need to hire people who have strengths in that area.

How has your business or industry been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our business has truly thrived because now more than ever people are pausing and assessing their lives and their fulfillment. More people are wanting to step into purpose and start a business.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Automation and scaling are going to be huge for us in early 2021 so I have more time to create content and some physical products that will be announced mid year!

What is the biggest lesson you have learned in 2020?

The biggest lesson I have learned in 2020 is that true happiness is in the home and your day-to-day life. You can't be waiting for your next vacation, your new big launch, or your next achievement to fulfill you. Create space to live a life that feels like vacation every day.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting your business?

I wish I was more confident in myself when I first started my business and knew that everything I needed was inside of me. When you start to look around at what other people are doing you block your true essence and creativity.

Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?

I believe that when you love what you do it doesn't feel like work, but also that what really matters is not attached to money or achievement so even if you're enjoying your work, it need to come from the heart. It's one thing to think you enjoy achievement because you think it validates you, and it's another thing to measure your achievement by your impact, your truth and fulfillment.

What's something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

Even though my life and career revolve around teaching people how to be more balanced, I still drink wine, over-spend on designer bags, and have road rage sometimes. We teach what we need to learn!

What are your top 3 tips to stay productive each day?

The most important element of my day is my morning ritual to get my mind, body, soul and energy in check. Meditation is a must and allows me to get clear on my intentions for the day. The biggest killer of productivity is negative thinking, it drains your energy so much, which is why meditation is so powerful to bring awareness to your thoughts. Working out is my miracle-drug for clarity and high vibes, I aim to workout 5-6 times per week even if it's just for 15 minutes. I also take breaks throughout the day to find BLISS. I walk my dog, take a bath, watch Real Housewives or read for at least 30 mins in the afternoon to "turn off" and recharge.

What does being an Entreprenista mean to you?

Being an Entreprenista means having an empowering or healing message to share with the world and using your creativity as a vessel to put it out there with your business.