Today we’d like to introduce you to Smita Shah.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The credit to my success goes to my ex-husband, but I will start from the time I had dreams to be a doctor.
In my teen age, I was always dreaming to be a doctor where I can help family in dire need. Inspiration was our family car accident, when I was only 10 years old and saw my mom, almost in death bed, and dad running around to find help despite his injury. My mom was miraculously saved by a doctor, his skills brought my mom back to life, though she could walk and talk only after a year.
Above circumstances and being the eldest of 4 siblings, I was told to pick a subject that could be easier to take care of the joint family responsibilities. One day my dad, bought a book called “Acupuncture without needles-by J.V Cerney”. He gifted the book to me and said, that if you are truly interested in science, this also is a kind of being a doctor. Study this and see how you like the subject. Naive and angry at the age of 15, I read the book thoroughly but never showed my ability to understand. Then we went on a family vacation and were to hike a small distance. While hiking, one of the boy from other group with us, sprained his leg and could not move further. My dad suddenly said, my daughter reads a book and she may be able to help. Putting me on the spot was a challenge. I used some acupressure points that I had learned from the book, and after a while the boy felt good to move and we climbed up happily. This made me a popular teenager in the group and I enjoyed the lime light. But by then the dream of being a doctor was a back bench. Just like all Indian family in the 70’s and 80’s had just one dream, to get daughters married.
I got married at the age of 20 which was old in those days. After marriage I found that my husband suffered from severe headaches and used to take 22 pills a day! After meeting his doctors and understanding his pain, I suggested if he was okay for me to treat him with acupressure. He agreed and I started to study based on his daily improvements or complaints of pain. After a year or so, his pills came down to 4 day and then to 1 a day. This gave me confidence and encouragement to study about nervous and the body system. I had already studied cosmetology before marriage. I started implementing my techniques on facial massages, mani-pedi and head massages. This made me get more clients who were ready to pay my price. My husband send me for advanced studies in cosmetology, there were no schools then in India for Acupressure or any alternate healings except Yoga and meditation. I continued studying on my own from several books. Then when I found out that we might migrate to USA, I went and got my Diploma in Aromatherapy. Again, my dad played a big role in finding me books, writing notes for me. Talking to people about my knowledge. I started making oils to help Knee pain, skin problems. I saw the small success. When I was moving to USA, I had clients who asked me to make oils for them in bulk. I did and moved to USA.
Here in USA, came with a dream to succeed in the field I loved, but they say, God has reasons to take you to paths that you never wanted to go. Circumstantially, I had to work outside the home. There was no guidance on how to make my dream come true. Everyone had made sure to warn me that I can get sued and I wanted to make sure my family and I are safe. With the grace of God, I met wonderful people and my habit of trying and helping someone in pain, would occasionally ask friends and colleagues in pain, “May I touch you? I know acupressure, it may help you.” Most said yes and slowly it spread in the office. I loved to see the smile on their faces. Years passed, life changed, priority again changed, getting license or knowing how to make this into a profession did not occur to me until one day in 2013, I was told that I am losing my job! Everyone who found this out at the Office wanted to ask me where I practice so they can come see me.
This is when Navrung Expressions became a name. I registered myself in 2013. I told I do not have any place and I do this only because it is my passion and I love to see when the pain from their face is replaced with a smile. Then one of colleagues who by now was my permanent client and declined to take services for free supported me to spread the word. Another friend, insisted that I start this as a profession. I started my research, people helped me find resources. I did my masters in Reflexology, Joined school in Spain that was accredited by AADP (American association of drugless practitioners). All the rest I knew can be approved under the umbrella of Reflexology. I went to India to get certified in Sujok therapy another form of Acupressure.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No road to success is smooth. In my profession the roughest part is many people not knowing the benefits of Reflexology, Sujok and or Meditation. One of the Key therapies I provide.
Once I started Navrung Expressions, it was not a smooth road at all. Colleagues at my Office who said, I want to come see you, did not want to come anymore. I understood, then that this therapy is not approved by insurance and people did not want to pay from their pockets. Finding a place to practice was also a struggle. Losing a job and investing in Business/profession was not easy. Being divorced, had greater responsibilities of the family. Had to find a job again. Practiced only on the weekends. This was a loss in itself as I had limited flexibility for my Clients. I still continued my studies, in fact I am still studying. Again, lost my job. Now I have the responsibility of paying off the debts that as a single mother of 2 had to borrow to survive. This is my passion so sometimes just charge nothing. I still charge less if someone cannot pay but is in pain. This is a challenge to survival.
The biggest drawback is this treatment is a slow process and heals the body from the root cause. That can take several sittings.
Navrung Expressions – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My Company name as you know now is Navrung Expressions. Nav-means 9 or New in many of the Indian languages. Rung-means colors. The reason for naming my company is 9 colors of life. 7 of the rainbow and black and white. There are 2 parts of my business- Health and Beauty.
Health– I do Reflexology, Meditation, Sujok-Acupressure, Aromatherapy, and Stress Management.
Beauty– I do Henna, hair, make-up and Saree Draping. Bridal package.
My specialty in Health is treating Back pain, headaches and Knee pain. Meditation is one that truly recommend many as complimentary if you are unable to spend a lot on other alternate therapies. But my specialty is Henna, and Hair do.
I believe that success is not measured in money but in the trust and faith you gain from the people you treat. My business has 5 star rating.
In true sense if I say what sets me apart is my hunger for knowledge and honesty in my treatments. My policy is to not give false hopes. If I know that I am not capable of handling, I will honestly guide my clients in the right direction. I do not emphasize on them coming to me. I like to share what I know.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I already mentioned previously. Success is not just how much I made or how many clients I see. Success for me is the satisfaction of doing the right thing. It is the quality of my work I provide. The smile on their face. The feedback from them. If I get a feedback to improve, I know I am marching towards success.
Pricing:
- Therapeutic Reflexology- I charge $60 for 1st time and $45 after the 1st session.
- Meditation classes are $35 for 5 sessions and if you need one on one $15 each class.
- Want only Sujok-Acupressure therapy, magnet therapy, seed therapy- $35.
- Henna starts with $7 for a 2 inch design and goes up to $200
- Hair do starts from $40 and make-up Starts $35
- saree draping starts with $15 and more for different styles
- Aromatherapy oils $15 for 15 ml
Contact Info:
- Address: Anyone interested can contact me. I work only by appointments.
- Website: www.navrung.com
- Phone: 8479208081 OR 8479971173
- Email: inquiries@navrung.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NavrungExpressions/ https://www.facebook.com/navrunghenna/
