July 22, 2013
Nik Welsh, Mindfulness Project
Bio The path that led her to this point
I had studied Business Management and Arts at Monash University and always found that I had an entrepreneurial spirit.
While my children were toddlers, I launched myself into my children’s furniture and home wares design company.
I became interested in mindfulness after arriving at a low point in my life, overwhelmed by the stressfulness of living, where I would try (almost) anything to find some measure of stress relief.
At the time, I thought I was the only one feeling overwhelmed.
Little did I know that I was in company of many, many more.
I then started practising mindfulness and meditation, sporadically (and somewhat sceptically) at first.
Everything changed for me after I went on my first silent meditation retreat.
I had wanted to go on a silent retreat for many years; however I was very nervous about actually doing it.
My sister-in-law invited me along to a seven-day silent Buddhist meditation retreat. It was very challenging, even more than I expected.
Ultimately, it became a really pivotal point in my life.
I had been running from my past and during that week, I finally found what I needed to stop running.
After that, I enrolled to study counselling, which had always been a secret passion of mine.
I was then lucky enough to quickly gain incredible experience at various addiction recovery centres, doing outreach, one-on-one counselling and teaching recovery groups, including courses in mindfulness- based relapse prevention.
Now that my kids are all in school, I have decided to return to my own business focusing on developing the Mindfulness Project.
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
The discovery of Mindfulness as a method of regaining control of a life that feels out of control and enjoying and experiencing life as it should be.
This discovery and my subsequent training in MBSR is allowing me to pass along this breakthrough to help others and enable them to live joy-filled, healthier and more encouraged lives.
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge so far is overcoming people’s scepticism.
I understand it, because I was once sceptical about mindfulness and meditation myself. People have a lot of questions, which I welcome, because someone once took the time to answer my questions and their answers helped me reach the point of developing my inner strength through mindfulness and meditation.
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
I ended up spending hundreds of dollars employing someone called a ‘visual communication expert’ who was totally off the mark regarding my vision.
I realised along the way that I already knew what I wanted the look and feel of my business to be. Realising that gave me the courage to go ahead with my ideas. I found a fabulous graphic designer through Etsy to help me bring it to light.
It was a big lesson in learning to follow my instincts and understanding that no one knows my vision for my brand better than me.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
I’d recommend Mindful Magazine because it encourages, applauds, and shares methods for incorporating mindfulness into everyday life for everyone.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
I love their philosophy and brand. I love that the company was founded by a surfer, who got the same ‘surfie buzz’ after a yoga class. My favourite quote from their manifesto reads, “Breathe deeply and appreciate the moment. Living in the moment could be the meaning of life.”
Oh, and they also make the comfiest yoga gear.
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
Stay disciplined with your own mindfulness and meditation practice, maintain close connections with a network of colleagues and enjoy yourself!
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I realised that if I wanted to raise happy, resilient, amazing kids … I had to go first.
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