Find out how Coco Alexandra Chan's own journey with chronic anxiety helped her start her own holistic consultation business
We love entrepreneurs and small business owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It is a privilege and pleasure to learn from so many talented and inspiring folks, so we’ve decided to share the love by interviewing some of the lovely Launchpad members. Looking for inspiration? Check out how holistic consultant Coco Alexandra Chan gets it done like a boss.
How I get it done: Coco Alexandra Chan
How and why did you decide to launch your business?
I’ve been in the PR and events industry for 17 years, but ten years ago I ended up in the hospital and was diagnosed with chronic anxiety. This incident sent me on a holistic journey to explore how to change my lifestyle through different wellness modalities. Aromatherapy was the first modality that literally saved my life. I got certified as an aromatherapist and that got me dipping my toes in all sorts of modalities: reiki, shamanism, meditation, Akashic Records, divination, you name it!
Through my spiritual journey, I transcended my triggers and limiting beliefs. I wanted to support others on their personal and spiritual growth so that they, too, can break the cycle and create a life in which they can thrive and flourish. So, I began holistic consultations with one-on-one clients and found it so rewarding and healing on many levels. This type of soul work really supports individuals in transforming their lives. It’s priceless.
What’s the secret to your success?
Be kind even when others are not. Be compassionate as everyone has their own story that you don’t know about. Be fair because everyone deserves to be treated fairly. These three virtues have been the pillar of my success across all the businesses I’ve had and they seem to be working!
What does the Launchpad community mean to you?
Launchpad is a community in which entrepreneurs can connect to meet like-minded individuals, receive valuable content from experts in different industries, and explore collaborations. The entrepreneurial journey can often be lonely. Over my 17 years of being in the workforce, I’ve found that collaboration and community are the birthing ground of opportunities, support and skill-sharing. Having a community is important because, as humans, we are social beings. Connection and belonging help us thrive as individuals and as groups.
What’s the one thing you cannot live without?
MUSIC! Music is life! I appreciate all types of music; music moves my soul and always gets me in the right headspace.
How I get it done: Lightning round
On a typical morning: As a multi-entrepreneur and mom, every morning looks a bit different. The one constant variable needed to keep my mind, body and soul in alignment, is my morning rituals. Depending on my day, my morning rituals range anywhere from five to 30 mins. My ritual consists of conscious breathing, movement, a sequence of intuitively chosen essential oils, a visualisation of my day, and an oracle card pull to receive guidance from Spirit. This practice is one of my non-negotiables. This routine supports me in setting myself up for success through energy management for the day ahead.
On dealing with self-doubt and criticism: I grew up in a space where criticism was potently alive. It’s taken many years to shift my inner critic to become my personal cheerleader. I’m human, so I still have days where self-doubt and criticism can creep out of the woodwork. When those days come, I tap into my years of coaching and holistic wellness knowledge to get myself back into a space of empowerment. These tools include self-coaching, reviewing my inventory of awesomeness, or energy clearing practices.
On the hardest part about the job: My decision to go full-time in coaching and healing began with the intention to support others on their personal growth and spiritual path. The hardest part about this role is not being able to help everyone who needs or wants it. I am one person and only have 24 hours in a day just like everyone else. So setting boundaries and getting crystal clear about how many people I can support, and whom I can support, and whom I should refer to other practitioners has been a personal growth practice for me.
On keeping stress levels low: My mental health has always been a priority to me since I experienced a major anxiety disorder 10 years ago. So being conscious of when to take breaks in between work, clients and family is at the top of my list. Over the years, I’ve created a superb support system around me to lean on when I need support to keep my stress levels in check. It’s all about managing your energy and work so that you don’t burnout.
On staying motivated and energised: It’s all about mindset. Every second of the day, we have an opportunity to choose how we show up in our work, with friends, family, and so on. We can choose to be unmotivated and negative, and stay in a victim mentality, or we can choose to show up fully as our best self, choose to do the work, and choose to see opportunities where others may see obstacles. It takes willpower, but if you’re willing to make a promise to yourself and get clear on your “Why” in life, then that becomes your fuel to get motivated about all the things you do.
On winding down in the evening: My evening wind down routine begins after putting my toddler to sleep. I juggle a lot in a day, so breathwork is a practice that centres and aligns me very quickly before bedtime. I call upon my Spirit Guides to clear the energies from the day, protect me and my family, and send healing while we sleep. Once I feel the guides coming in, I doze off into dreamland pretty quickly.
On the advice you’d give your younger self: Don’t care too much about what people think of you. You can’t control the minds and thoughts of others. Instead, focus on your personal growth. Focus on the things and people you love. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re dreaming too big. You are unique and perfectly imperfect just the way you are. Let your freak flag fly and embrace your weirdness. You are not for everyone, and that’s totally okay. Whatever you choose to do, choose something that sets your heart on fire!
Need more Coco in your life?
Check out what Launchpad is all about by joining Coco’s Masterclass event on 19 January on beating burnout. And we’ve got a special deal for Honeycombers’ readers! Although it normally costs $580 to attend a Masterclass for non-members, the first 30 Honeycombers readers can join the Masterclass for FREE with the discount code readytolaunch.
Find out more about Coco Alexandra Chan’s holistic consultations and follow her on Instagram.
Launchpad is a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It is designed to make the entrepreneurial journey not only easier, and more successful, but also a whole lot more fun. The platform offers almost daily activities for members to connect, along with regular masterclasses, member networking roulette, small-business mentoring and media profiles on Honeycombers.
