New week, new I AM GREATNESS Feature!! Meet licensed massage therapist, Ursula Foster!!

1-  Ursula, can you tell my readers a little bit about yourself ?
Hi, I am Ursula Foster a licensed massage therapist in California and Georgia. I am also a selfcare strategist helping women create selfcare plans with simple tools that help them incorporate selfcare into their lives every single solitary day. I have also written a book, You Can’t Pour From An Empty Cup, a workbook/guide to becoming #SelfCareAware. My #SelfCareAware movement shows women selfcare is simple, inexpensive and definitely not selfish. The important thing I want to stress in my #SelfCareAware ness movement is that selfcare is going beyond saying, “Yes, I need some me time once in a while to saying yes, I need a me time routine…everyday.
2- What’s a normal day like for you?

I start each day with meditation. Getting into a quiet headspace so that I can plan my day with mindfulness. Don’t get me wrong everyday is a little different and even I get up on the wrong side of the bed…that why I create tools for women that fit their life…their real life.

3- What inspired you to start your business/blog?

Massage Therapy is my second career when I was hit with the 2008 recession. In an economic downturn, it was the worst time to pursue a passion but I had to. So when I got laid off I decided to go in a different direction from a cubicle to a massage table helping people heal, relieve stress and find center. I love my work. In 2016 I start my #SelfCareAware movement which required me to come from behind the table with a message of health for women.

I love doing massage but I started to wonder why people were NOT getting a massage so I took a poll believing money was the number 1 reason…it wasn’t. Time and the feeling of worthiness were the top reasons. So I decided to come from behind the table and go out into the world with my #SelfCareAware movement. My mission is to help women remember how worthy they are and to squash the misconception out there that self-care is some big expensive elaborate time-consuming thing and that daily self-care is doable and necessary.

4- What are some of the challenges you face as a woman in business

Charging my worth is a big challenge. People think massage therapy is just rubbing people in a dark room. It is! But in order to keep ourselves separate from sex trafficking and prostitution, we are highly regulated, licensed, insured and must complete continuing education at a minimum every two years…not to mention the cost of doing business in general. I want everyone to get a massage but everyone will not be able to get one from me. I am a heart-centered business but it is a business.

5- Running a business is not easy how do you stay motivated?

A tribe is important. A group of people for me its women, who keep me motivated. They encourage me when I am down, give me a needed kick in the butt when needed, let me vent! Whatever it is. You can’t do this alone no matter how strong you are.

6-What are three things that no one tells you about being an entrepreneur?

You have to be extremely self-motivated

You have to be confident in your process

Finding your team is not that easy but you need one

7- What advice would you give to your much younger self?

This too shall pass. Everything isn’t the end of the world. It is only part of the journey.

8-What’s Next For you and your business?

To continue to spread the #SelfCareAware love to as many women as possible. I also, want to continue to build on my massage business creating an experience that my clients will never forget! and return for more!

9- What are some of your favorite inspirational quotes?

This quote was actually on my a calendar at my corporate job but it has resonated with me all these years. I believe it is the blueprint for anything you want to start in your life: “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you’re doing the impossible..” – Francis of Assisi

10-Any words of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

You weren’t born to just pay bills and die. Even if you work a business part time make sure it resonates with your soul.

Finish this sentence; I AM GREATNESS because, I started.

Keep up with Ursula on her site http://www.iamselfcareaware.com/home/