(1) LAEDA: Entrepreneurship is a very challenging path to take with many different possible directions. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur? Why did you choose your industry?

Valerie: “One of the reasons why I wanted to become an entrepreneur was because I wanted to work for myself to make more money. In the massage industry you are only paid if you massage a client, you do not make an hourly salary. I thought why work so hard to make less money when I can work for myself and make more money? This provoked me to try and do something better for myself. My degrees are in the Health profession, thus I have seen a lot of things that alternative medicine could deal with better than western medicine. I started off as a Holistic Health coach, what better way to mirror health coaching then massage. I picked massage because “massage is another way of healing without medication.”

(2) LAEDA: Tell me about your experience while attending EDTP. What have the major takeaways been from the program? Have you had any “Ah-ha!” moments? How did the program help you?

Valerie: “LAEDA was such a great program and anyone who wants to do the program please take advantage of it. First of all, it is free and second of all, the classes are wonderful. They have top-notch people, lawyers, bankers, business coaches, census bureau, and marketing (Marketing is really important). They have all the resources and materials that you need to do your business and at the end you have your business plan. You come in with nothing and you leave with everything to start your business. You get ideas, logos, and all the information you need to help you be a better or good businessperson. Today, I still have all the resources that I was given by LAEDA in a form of a valuable binder and I can call and get help at LAEDA. LAEDA is an on- going resource, they continue to support you even when you have completed the course.

(3) LAEDA: Tell me about your journey on the road to business start-up. What have been some of the challenges, successes, failures, etc.?

Nicole: “I am a single mom and I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. In the last couple of years I was working different jobs, meeting different people, making new connections, and doing all this made my priorities shift. At this point is when I realized I had to find something to build for my kids and myself. I knew my passion for wanting to help people and I really enjoyed giving massages, but in the beginning of my path to building something for myself I did not know what I was really doing. At this point, someone suggested me to go to massage school and I was already working in the health field and I gained a lot of knowledge about the human body. Afterward, I enrolled into massage school, which I loved since day one- I had some good teachers, I met people, was always learning, and this is where I met Valerie.”

“After I graduated from massage school Valerie and I got hired at the same spa. we started talking about our plans and passion. We realized that we both had the same dream and different struggles, but struggles all the same such as things that we both wanted and also needed to overcome. Thereafter, Valerie and I decided to go into business together and some of the challenges I faced was that I am not so organized, did not have much of a business sense; I worked physical jobs and did not spend much time working in a business environment. However, the business that Valerie and I opened together is somewhat different and I work here to put my creativity to work everyday. I learned that I have to grow myself which is helpful –not just in my business life, but personal life as well. Everyday, I overcome different struggles and I get more faith because of my passion for helping people because it makes me feel good to help others. In the beginning of our journey we both realized that the art of learning to be patient is of essence when building a business.”

Valerie: “I love doing the business aspect of it and administrative work. Nicole does all the decorating; she has all the creativity and she is amazing. I do the business aspect of the business and doing massages because that is what I love to do. However, my goal is to make the business successful and because of the things that I learned at LAEDA, having a business prior, and working in a corporate environment— it makes it that much easier. I thank God for blessing me with the gift of administration and being so organized.”

(4) LAEDA: Could you tell me a little about where your business is today?

Nicole: “Valerie and I both are a great match for each other. Also, we both wanted everyone to walk in through our doors to experience the art of relaxation and take a break from life. Everyone is on the go and stressed out. We all need to stop and take some time for ourselves. Aside from this, Valerie and I both have a lot to learn still and have so much more work to do for our business. We really help the human body because a lot of illnesses are caused because of energy imbalances and our products and services help in this aspect.”

Valerie: “We want everyone to come in and feel like they are leaving on cloud9 and that is why we are called Cloud9 Wellness. Today our business is growing as everyone knows when you first start a business it takes time to grow and so we are both being patient with that. In addition, we do massages, health coaching, and energy healing. We show how to change your lifestyle to better incorporate your health care. We do health classes where you learn the importance of primary food and how to change your lifestyle. It might not be what you are eating, but what’s eating you. With that being said, some of the things we offer here at Cloud9 Wellness are hot stones, cold stones, prenatal for expecting mothers, therapeutic, Swedish, reflexology, we do hot towels, peppermint scalp massage, and body scrubs. We use mostly organic products because we do not want to use any chemicals that can be/or are harmful for the human body. Soon we will introduce a four-hand massage, where Nicole and I will massage one person. Cloud9 Wellness has a heart for your wellness.”

(5) LAEDA: Do you have any advice for future (or existing) entrepreneurs?

Nicole: “If you love what you do just do it. Take a chance and put yourself out there and be patient. Things are going to come up, but you just have to learn to ride with it and have faith in yourself because this is what is it all about. I think this is what holds a lot of people back from trying to do something for themselves. It is a big commitment and I understand why people are worried about doing it, but I am happy that I took the step- no regrets.”

Valerie: “Live the dream. Do not let failure discourage you. You have to have patience, especially in a service industry; you have to build it. You cannot let the fear of failure stop you from going into business; you have to learn to be patient, and know that being a business person for the majority of the time you will be in business until you get yourself established and are able to hire people working for you. However, for now you are the business and you represent your business in everything that you do. You cannot allow roadblocks to deter you from doing what you want to do if you believe in yourself and the vision you have been given. If you want to do it, do it and don’t block yourself from building your business.”

Congratulations to Valerie Stancill for completing EDTP and recommitting to her journey on the path of entrepreneurship. Cloud9 Wellness is a company that helps people relax and rejuvenate; it also helps people with his or her body, mind, soul and much more. For more information, check out Valerie Stancill and Nicole Cooper’s Facebook/Instagram: @cloud9wellnessnj or email them at cloud9wellness2017@gmail.com You can also reach them at 856-425-0167.

The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) is a free, nine-week business skills training course offered in Camden, NJ in the Winter Spring and Fall each year. Qualified entrepreneurs receive 72+ hours of training from industry professionals, business planning, and one year of technical assistance. Apply online at www.LAEDA.com