Sharon Hwang is a risk-taker.
Barely into her 30s, this Denver business woman owns a highly successful wellness center above the Wild Oats market in Cherry Creek and recently opened a new business, Pure Massage, in Greenwood Village.
Undoubtedly, Hwang’s spirit of adventure was seeded by entrepreneurial parents, and she worked in the family’s photo-processing business as a child. By watching her parents, she also learned what she didn’t want: tied down by a business. Hwang’s dream is about freedom, and every step of her path is one calculated step closer to making that dream a reality.
After graduating from college with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Hwang decided to join the Peace Corps, which led to profound realizations that shaped the course of her life.
“When I was traveling through India, I just had this vision, and I followed it,” she says. “It goes back to when you follow what you’re supposed to be doing. I do feel we each have our own path, and if we listen to our wisdom, it guides us, and I think it drew me into the wellness industry.”
Upon returning to Boulder, she wandered into the wellness center above Wild Oats in Cherry Creek and begged them to hire her. Within two years, she was a manager, but soon, the business was up for sale. At 26, she found a business partner and decided to buy the fledgling center, which at the time was unprofitable.
“It was a ‘nonprofit’ wellness center, so I purchased a business that was losing money,” she says. But she saw tremendous opportunity. After the purchase, changes made by Hwang and her partner quickly brought the business back in the black. Three years later, Hwang bought out her partner, and took out a second mortgage on her house to fund a new-look, expanded space, and upscale atmosphere for her center.
Not one to enjoy the day-to-day operation of a business, for Hwang the grand reopening of her wellness center meant the thrill of change no longer loomed.
“You gotta have diversity in life,” she says. “You can’t do the exact same things all the time, or you don’t learn, you don’t grow, and your life isn’t balanced.”
Hwang was ready for a new challenge and the excitement of another project. Enter Pure Massage – Hwang’s answer to affordable stress relief for everyone. The massage intro rate is $38 an hour; depending on the membership chosen, massages cost $44-$54 a month.
“My whole personality is I like to build things – I like to move them into the world. I get a lot of energy from growth. That’s what drew me to Pure Massage.”
She had acquired investors and in October moved forward to create her new business in the heart of Greenwood Village. On Dec. 12, Pure Massage had its grand opening. Although she’s allowing herself some breathing room before the next venture, Hwang already knows what it will be: “I would like to open four to five (Pure Massage)franchises in Denver in 2006,” she confidently says.
Doni Luckett is chief executive of Divine-Basics.com, which produces lifestyle products to reconnect with moments that matter. Your questions may be addressed in the column by e-mailing enrichyourlife@divine-basics.com.
Here are some steps to help you reach your goals:
Get in touch with yourself. Take time to reflect on what you want. The key is to be, as Sharon Hwang calls it, “in touch with your own wisdom.” Then ask yourself: “How does this feel to me?” Not how you think it feels in your head, but what physical reactions accompany your thoughts. Although discomfort might be part of the equation, if a rush of excitement or anticipation also comes with these thoughts, you’ve probably figured out what truly would make you happy.
Research. Who says risk-taking needs to be risky? Take an educated risk by arming yourself with the knowledge necessary to move to the next level. Find out the steps necessary to get where you want to go, and let that information help you decide whether this goal still fits into your overall plan.
Make a plan. Once you’ve gotten a solid background of information for what’s necessary to move forward, decide how those steps will fit into your life and your lifestyle. Be creative; figure out new ways around obstacles and issues that seem insurmountable. Resolve to let nothing stand in the way of your success, and you will find ways to make things work.
Get help. OK, so you can’t figure out how to make it work. Spend the energy, time and, if necessary, the money to gain guidance from someone knowledgeable about your goal. When stumped, don’t give up. Seek assistance to help you reach the next level.
