Janelle Grizzard is the owner of Luna Wellness. Read our interview with Janelle about her experiences with Xcelerate Business Advising. 

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What inspired you to start your own business? 

I practiced massage for eight years before having my own kiddo. I gravitated towards mamas and women needing a place to process and get grounded in their bodies, to go "within" and FEEL/LISTEN to what their bodies were telling them. I wanted to spread the calm and body high that comes with massage but in more impactful ways than just massage.

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What were some of your key goals that you worked with Xcelerate on this year? 

1. Gaining some marketing tactics.

2. Being in community with other business women - and working on creating "my inner circle" so that I don't feel like I'm doing this alone. 

3. Affordable assistance when it comes to expanding and moving forward.

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How has your identity as a woman and any and all other intersectional identities impacted your business?

It's all in my head, right? No, I definitely feel like I get looked down on or not taken seriously when it comes to leasing a space or handling vendors.

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What were some of the challenges you faced this year and how did working with Xcelerate help you to overcome these challenges?

Challenges were coming up with my marketing strategy and feeling like I was on the right path. Not that I need someone to check my work, however, it is VERY helpful when you feel like an imposter to have someone overall look at what you're doing and tell me it doesn't suck as I may think at times. The idea, the vision is something and that external cheerleader comes in handy when your inner one is quiet and scared.

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Are there any wins or achievements you have celebrated this year while working with Xcelerate? For example - hiring new employees, paying yourself, quitting a day job, achieving profitability, opening a new location, increase in sales, launching a new product. Please be as specific as possible.

I've made website changes that have improved my site. I've been able to change wording and approach marketing differently making an impact on how I'm getting/retaining new clients.

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How do you personally define success for you and your business?

When I can sleep all month without insomnia. I have enough in my bank to pay payroll each month, and personally, when I can travel whether I'm working or not, but I have coverage and confidence in my team that allows me to travel or be home with a sick kid.

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Is there anything else you'd like to share about your Xcelerate experience?

What I mentioned about the external cheerleader has been huge. Also, the Xcelerate events I've been to always leave me inspired and feeling like I CAN do this. There are people who have my back. And I look forward to someday being on the side of that in terms of having something to offer other business owners who are in my shoes now.

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Find them: @lunawellness.pdx