In this episode of Many Hats of Business, I speak with Prash, also known as the Heartbreak Healer, about the intersections between personal and business life. We delve into the challenges of balancing personal trauma, parenting, and maintaining a successful business. Prash shares insightful stories from her extensive experience, highlighting the importance of mental and emotional clarity in personal and professional growth.
Listen to the full episode here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/many-hats-of-business/episodes/009-Business-and-Trauma–Prashansha-Sharma-e2lhteo
Watch the full episode on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/WKuehXXlwuc
Business and Trauma Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:55 Meet Prash: The Heartbreak Healer
05:55 Finding Clarity in Messaging
07:42 Business Evolution and Personal Growth
28:20 Challenges and Successes
16:16 The Power of Self-Work
Book recommendation:
Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch
Connect with Prash:
www.instagram.com/theheartbreakhealer1
www.facebook.com/theheartbreakhealer1
https://www.linkedin.com/in/theheartbreakhealer1
Meet Prashansha Sharma:
Prash Sharma is The Heartbreak Healer, and helps women break free from the recurring impact of childhood trauma so that they can raise their children free from the hurt and suffering they experienced.
Prash has worked with so many women who have found themselves to be innocently hurting their children by parenting from their unhealed self and it is her mission to break the binds of generational trauma.
Prash’s superpower helps you rekindle your spark, shining a light on your unique awesomeness and helping you to uncover your innate power and ability to thrive in life.
The Unexpected Link Between Business and Trauma: Insights from The Heartbreak Healer
As a business owner, I’ve learned that running a company is often more complex than we initially expect. But what if I told you that some of our business challenges might be rooted in something deeper – our personal traumas? Today, I’m excited to share insights from my conversation with Prash, known as the Heartbreak Healer, who sheds light on the surprising connection between business and trauma.
The Hidden Impact of Trauma on Business
When we think about trauma, we often picture major life events. However, Prash explains that trauma can be much more subtle, affecting our daily lives and business decisions in ways we might not realise. As business owners, our unresolved traumas can influence how we interact with clients, manage our teams, and even approach marketing.
“Everything that is a negative experience, especially trauma and things like that, is something we want to look away from because it’s painful,” Prash explains. “So, that is our safety mechanism, almost, to look away from pain rather than go towards the pain.”
This avoidance can manifest in our businesses as:
- Difficulty in setting boundaries with clients
- Struggles with delegating tasks
- Imposter syndrome and self-doubt
- Challenges in pricing our services appropriately
- Resistance to growth or scaling our businesses
The Parent-Child Dynamic in Business
Interestingly, Prash’s work primarily focuses on parents who see their children struggling with similar issues they faced in their own childhoods. This parallel exists in the business world too. As entrepreneurs, we often ‘parent’ our businesses, and our unresolved traumas can influence how we nurture and grow our ventures.
“Children learn by watching, by looking at you. They don’t learn by doing things that you ask them to do,” Prash notes. Similarly, our businesses often mirror our behaviours and attitudes, even the ones we’re not consciously aware of.
The Evolution of Business and Healing
One of the interesting aspects of my conversation with Prash was her journey in business. She shared that she unofficially started about 11 years ago but only formally set up her business in 2020. Even then, it took time to find clarity in her messaging and target audience.
This evolution is a common theme in both business and trauma healing. Just as we grow and change as individuals, our businesses evolve too. It’s a reminder that it’s okay not to have everything figured out from day one.
Overcoming the Pressure of Perfection
In the age of social media, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. We see polished Instagram feeds and hear stories of overnight success, putting immense pressure on ourselves to have it all together immediately.
Prash emphasises, “We look around, we see all these people doing successful things, we look back, we almost do a time travel with them to their past and it almost feels like they’ve been doing the same thing for years.”
But the reality is far different. Business is a journey of self-discovery and growth, much like the process of healing from trauma. It’s okay to pivot, to refine your message, and to take time finding your true niche.
The Power of Clarity
As Prash found her clarity, her business began to thrive. This clarity isn’t just about knowing what services you offer; it’s about understanding yourself, your experiences, and how they shape your business approach.
“What is important is us feeling aligned with the business that we want to do,” Prash says. This alignment comes from doing the inner work, addressing our traumas, and bringing our whole, authentic selves to our businesses.
Reframing Trauma in Business
One of the challenges Prash faced was using the word ‘trauma’ in her messaging. Many people don’t identify with this term, thinking their experiences weren’t ‘traumatic enough’. This resistance can prevent them from seeking help or recognising how past experiences impact their present.
In business, we might face similar resistance. Clients or team members might not recognise how their past experiences influence their work. As leaders, we can create safe spaces for these conversations, fostering growth and resilience in our organisations.
The Goldfish Effect in Marketing
Prash shared a valuable insight about marketing that relates to both business and trauma work: “They don’t have that attention span at all. So they’re moving past you like anything, but until the moment when it hits, what you’re saying hits them, resonates with them and they’re like, ‘Oh, is this what you do? I’m coming to work with you.'”
This ‘goldfish effect’ reminds us that consistency in our messaging is key. People may not engage with every post or email, but when they’re ready, your message will resonate.
Embracing Imperfection and Growth
Prash emphasises the importance of starting before you feel ready. “To start, before I felt I was ready,” she says, has been her best business decision. This mindset applies to both healing from trauma and growing a business. We don’t need to be perfect or have everything figured out to take the first step. It will evolve anyway so there is no point in waiting because it still won’t be 100% the same forever.
Celebrating Small Wins
In both trauma recovery and business growth, it’s crucial to celebrate small victories. Prash reminds us, “If I’m in a room in front of a hundred physical people sitting there, it’s a fricking big deal.” The same applies to our online presence and business milestones. Every step forward, no matter how small, is worth acknowledging.
The Power of Journaling
Prash shares her morning routine of journaling, which has made a significant difference in her business approach. “It’s almost like I put down my fears into that journal,” she explains. This practice can be a powerful tool for processing both business challenges and personal traumas.
Conclusion to The Unexpected Link Between Business and Trauma
The intersection of business and trauma might seem unexpected, but it’s a powerful space for growth and transformation. By acknowledging our past experiences and doing the inner work, we can build more authentic, resilient businesses.
Remember, just as healing from trauma is a journey, so is building a successful business. It’s okay to evolve, to refine your message, and to take time finding your path. The key is to stay aligned with your values and to keep showing up, both for yourself and for those you serve.
As Prash beautifully puts it, “The clarity is a hundred percent needed, but for you to get to the clarity space, if you have to take a hundred steps or a thousand steps. It’s fine.”
So, fellow entrepreneurs, let’s embrace our journeys, traumas and all. They’re not just obstacles to overcome, but powerful tools for creating businesses that truly make a difference.
If you enjoyed this episode please have a look at our other episodes too – Podcast Episodes – Many Hats of Business
