This story is part of our 1,000 stories campaign. What’s your story?

Name: Lorraine Giordano

Business: Inspired To Health, holistic health coaching

Industry: Health & Beauty  

Location: Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S.

Reason for starting: I worked in product development in the financial industry for 20+ years creating financial software products. In 2008, my gynecologist told me I would need to have my uterus removed due to the threat of cancer. Not willing to give up my uterus, I put Operation Save Uterus into action, and during the course of a year I worked with 10 alternative healers who taught me to align my mind-body and spirit. As a holistic healer, with my uterus intact, I now help women connect to their own healing ability and help them to connect to what inspires them in their daily life. There is an over abundance of information on health but there remains a significant amount of disease. Inspired To Health’s goal is to help women bridge the gap between disease to finding their personal healthy way. I’m certified in Usui Reiki, Quantum Energy Transformation, Quantum Touch and Integrated Energy Therapy. 

Related: Read about another female entrepreneur bringing health to her customers here. 

How do you define success? I used to define success by my job title, annual salary, if I could say I was someone’s girlfriend, how often people said I was doing a good job and fitting into “normal” stereotype. These days I define my success by tapping into my creative ability, improving and expanding relationships and being visible rather than hiding behind my fears. Building a business is a great exploration in allowing for mistakes, going with the flow and taking steps forward each day- no matter how big or small. 

Biggest Success: Winning the 2013 Bronze Stevie Award – Women helping Women (I didn’t enter in 2014). Every time I work with a client and they share that they feel better or more connected to their bodies and spirit, or did something I suggested and it made a big difference, I consider that a big success. Each person is their own universe and helping one person has rippling effects. 

Related: Read about another female entrepreneur diving into holistic practices here. 

What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? In addition to working with women one on one, having workshops and attending wellness fairs, I enjoy blogging about female organ health and the sacral chakra (energy center related to emotions, creativity, joy, passion and organs: female reproductive organs, large intestines, pelvis and bladder.) In 2015 there still is a lot of taboo, whispering and resistance to talk about female reproductive health. I’ve addressed it by using my playfulness and creativity to make entertaining content, a youtube video, my own artwork, and a t-shirt of female organs for visibility. I have a lot of other ideas for 2015. I’m also passionate about making women aware of The Robin Danielson Act of 2014. The petition is to get companies that make pads and tampons to disclose their ingredients and health risks- many might be toxic. I continue to bring awareness to the bill every chance I get. 

Who is your most important role model? My most important role model is my Mom and Dad. My Mom is a retired nurse anesthetist and my Dad is a retired architect. I’ve taken on my Mom’s passion and knowledge of health and my dad’s artistic and creative gift and channeled them in my own unique way into my business. 

[box_light]Website   www.inspiredtohealth.net 
Twitter   @inspire2health 
Facebook   www.Facebook.com/Lorraine Giordano-InspiredToHealth[/box_light]

Tell us your story!
Read about another Health & Beauty entrepreneur here

Edited by The Story Exchange