What do you typically tell people when they ask you what you do?
I tell people that I am a health and wellness consultant that provides health and lifestyle solutions for busy women.
I help busy women achieve happier, healthier and more balanced lifestyles. With guidance, I help simplify and structure their ‘busy life’. With my support, I help create healthy behaviours in the realms of nutrition, exercise, lifestyle, organisation and stress management. Clients emerge feeling energised, inspired and empowered with more time, greater balance and more aligned with their true selves.
How did CHASING SUNRISE come about?
I was a self-confessed people pleaser with a massive tendency to overload myself and overcommit. I had very high expectations of myself, all self-imposed, so having recently held a senior management role, coupled with a husband who travels for work and three very busy children the cracks started to appear. I was moving through my days putting one foot in front of the other and doing what needed to be done. I was showing up but not really being present in my own life. I was running on adrenalin and juggling so many balls (pretty well) but I was missing opportunities for connectedness and happiness. I had become impatient, disconnected, wired and exhausted. Something had to give.
I decided I didn’t want to live like this anymore. I was tired of feeling anxious and always rushing. I had moved too far away from my values and the people I really care about. Anyway, I stepped back – big time. I resigned from my General Management position and returned to my area of expertise and genuine passion for health and wellness. This also proved to be a real investment in my own well-being and I have emerged healthier, happier, calmer, more balanced and certainly more present in my own life!
‘Chasing Sunrise’ is a culmination of everything I love – I now live authentically, with passion and purpose and help support women on their own wellness journeys.
What was a defining moment in your business?
My first ‘thank you’ note from a client. It was quite overwhelming actually to hear how I had helped improve and transform their life. To partner with a client on a very personal journey, for them to trust and allow themselves to be vulnerable with you is such a privilege. To then see that client grow, become empowered and thrive is just the most awesome thing and for me, something I am immensely proud of and humbled by.
What do you love most about your business?
I am passionate about supporting and empowering busy women towards achieving a healthy, balanced and fulfilling life. Women today are hardworking, high achieving, awesome, capable, loving amazing humans but we are also time poor, overcommitted and exhausted. I feel incredibly grateful to be living out my passion and purpose by inspiring others to improve their wellness. Life can be so much more than just ‘getting by’ and keeping your head above water. Life is for living, for thriving and flourishing.
What do you do to unwind?
I ‘chase’ sunrise most mornings. My most favourite way to start the day is with a run by the beach. I also love a long bath with candles or a glass of wine, a good laugh and a delicious meal with family and close friends.
How do you go about building a loyal client base?
My client base has grown fairly organically. I have developed meaningful connections with all of my clients. They are delighted with their wellness transformations and are very happy to share the love and recommend me to their individual networks which of course is awesome.
How is running a successful business different to what you may have thought it would be?
It is so much more…more full on, more challenging, more meaningful, more flexible, more all-consuming, more emotional, more fulfilling.
What continue to be some of the greatest challenges you face in your business?
– Market awareness – With a very limited marketing budget, certainly building awareness to a wider audience is my biggest challenge.
– Staying energized – With the wins and the highs come some low lows – there can be weariness, self-doubt and the desire to abandon ship completely! Being resilient and coming back to the belief and passion in what I am doing helps me push forward.
– Impatience – Wanting all things to be happening and firing NOW. Keeping myself in check and celebrating the small wins is really important.
What are some of the benefits of building relationships with other female business owners?
In my opinion building and nurturing strong relationships is absolutely crucial to succeeding as a business owner. As women, we are unique, strong and capable people but it is so important to lean in, share our struggles as well as our resources with our peers. We need to be willing to give, share and support. We need to allow ourselves to be vulnerable and let people see who we authentically are. If we do this, ultimately we build trust and respect. We need to be willing to always learn, to acknowledge we are stronger when we stand together but confident persistent, passionate and fierce in our own pursuit. I am lucky to have a pretty amazing group of female business chicks in my corner who continue to challenge and inspire me. I’d be lost without them.
What advice would you give to other business owners trying to grow their business?
– Be Authentic – people have great BS radars.
– Keep coming back to your WHY.
– Get comfortable with being outside your comfort zone!
You can connect with Megan McGrath at http://www.chasingsunrise.com.au
