Dr. Madison Leigh Akridge is a licensed psychotherapist and board-certified coach, author, and educator. She received a B.A. in Philosophy from Florida State University, a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Savannah State University, and a Doctor of Theology in Multi-faith Spiritual Direction from SCA-Capstone University. She also received post-grad training in Applied Behavior Analysis and Wellness/Life Coaching. In addition, Dr. Madison is a Huna Alaka’i with The Order of Huna International. She is co-editor of an academic book on Spiritual Coaching and co-author/co-creator of the Essential Soul Care® project. Madison is a Reiki Master/Teacher and has experience and training in various energy and wellness modalities, including Energy Psychology. Dr. Madison’s approach to working with clients and students is intuitive, eclectic, strengths-based, inclusive, and down-to-earth. Her passion lies in exploring and clearing energetic and creative blocks, establishing and navigating the soul’s path, finding one’s authenticity, and expanding life’s meaning and purpose.
If your business could have a mascot, what would it be and why?
If my business could have a mascot, I’d choose the unicorn. It is a magical and rare being that brings sparkle to all it encounters. My business, InTune, LLC, is all about helping others find their inner sparkle and recognize their unique qualities and talents.
What strategies do you employ to maintain a healthy work-life balance while running your own business?
As a Libra, balance is super important to me. I try to honor all the aspects of my being as much as possible. For physical wellness, I go to a Functional Neurology Chiropractor. They help me keep my body and brain aligned. I enjoy cooking, so that not only feeds my body, but the ritual of cooking itself is a soul-nurturing experience. I have an Integrative Health practitioner who offers medical wisdom as well. For creativity, I enjoy art of various sorts, including nature photography and remote control aerobatics photography. I also write Haiku for both emotional processing and for fun. I have carved out optimal days for my counseling practice (Tues–Thurs) and use the other days of the week for admin, self-care, and relaxation/fun time. This schedule frees me up to enjoy all the aspects of life.
When faced with unexpected detours on your business path, how do you pivot with grace and resilience, showing fellow women entrepreneurs the way forward?
The biggest example of this is when COVID hit. I had a brick-and-mortar office then, and with the advent of COVID, I was faced with pivoting on a dime to change my whole business model to accommodate clients’ safety and need to do virtual sessions. I took a deep breath, researched what was needed to transform my practice into a virtual office. There were lots of steps involved and a big learning curve to tackle, but I dug my heels in and went for it. BEST thing that could’ve happened to me! I am still running a virtual office and have moved four times—once to another state—all while keeping my practice running at full speed. A lot of trust in the universe, a lot of trust in myself, and a lot of trust in colleagues, friends, and family got me through.
How do you measure the success of your business beyond financial metrics, such as customer satisfaction or community engagement?
I measure the success of my business by the amount of word-of-mouth referrals I get, along with the progress of my clients and their feedback during sessions. When my schedule is close to full, I count that as a win. The natural consequence of this is that my bank account prospers as well.
Can you share a memorable moment where you witnessed significant growth or transformation in your business, illustrating the impact of your services/products?
Going back to the COVID pivot, when I went to a virtual setup, I gave all my clients a choice whether to stay with me via telehealth or seek someone local who was still doing face-to-face visits. ALL of my clients chose to pivot with me and go with the flow. We all faced a bit of a learning curve to get used to the technology, but everyone was willing to learn with me. This was a heartwarming experience, for sure!
What role do you believe mentorship plays in the success of small businesses, and how have mentors influenced your own entrepreneurial journey?
I have had many mentors and collaborators along my journey, and have acted as a mentor to others. The power that comes from learning from each other is amazing. Leaning into the strengths of others and sharing resources and wisdom makes all the difference.
What’s your work all about, and how does it make a difference in the world?
My work, whether it’s counseling, coaching, educating, writing or creating, is focused on expanding human consciousness and being-ness. Helping others discover their unique talents and find their inner strength is my ultimate goal.
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