OtherActivating Happy: Wellness for Entrepreneurs

It’s easier said than done, but advances in brain science can help you navigate these challenges and rewire your brain to focus on the positive in life.  Whether you’re in the process of creating a product, launching a business, or getting your footing in the entrepreneurial community, optimizing how you live and “activating happiness” will allow you to rise to your true potential. So what does it mean to “activate happiness?”

Serial entrepreneur, Sandi Serling, has been asking herself this question for years. And she’s reached out to the best and the brightest around to help her answer this question. She’s putting on a conference called Activating Happy to share the tools she’s learned. Activating Happy speakers include experts in neuroscience, successful entrepreneurs and professionals who have dedicated their lives to help individuals relieve stress for optimum living.“Seventy-seven percent of people experience health issues from stress,” says Sandi.

The Conference, held in Lake Oswego October 3rd will teach people how to:

Suzanne Jauchius:  Intuitive consultant

Samir Ranpara:  Mindfulness/Meditation expert

What inspired Activating Happy?

I was hiking one day and thinking, “What is it that everyone wants? What is it that I want?”  And, I immediately thought, “Everyone wants to be happy.” We need to start “Activating Happy.”  I got back to my office, checked domain names and lo and behold that was available (Rarely is a domain name available!). I also loved the acronym AH! I took that as a “sign” and knew I must move forward on Activating Happy.

Why do this now?

There’s a bit of a backstory. I went through a challenging time in my life about 4 years ago when both my parents passed away within 4 months of each other.  I was less than happy, even though I had a wonderful life, family and profession.  At that time, I had the great fortune of meeting Brad Pendergraft, a teacher of neuroscience who mentored me on how the brain works and provided strategies to alleviate stress. This provided an opportunity for happiness to shine through.  I learned how to “avoid the rabbit hole of negative thinking” and now can get myself out of a funk in a few seconds.

I had a burning to desire to share these strategies with others because the value is exponential.  And, almost every person I meet is stressed and not in a healthy way.  People will learn at Activating Happy that there is stress that has a value and stress that is unhealthy to our well-being.  We know about almost every other part of our body more than our brain. It’s a bit mind blowing. This organ can catapult us in the most positive ways if we have a basic understanding about how it works.

How are you better/different than your competition?

I don’t know of an event in the Portland area that focuses on the understanding our brain for optimum living. It’s also a fun, entertaining conference that applies practical strategies that are easy to implement in your daily, busy life.

How do you make money?

We have wonderful sponsors that believe in the importance of Activating Happy. Major sponsors include: Starbucks, Umqua Bank, Zupan’s Markets, Lake Oswego Public Library, KUNI BMW, Office Products Nationwide.

A percentage from tickets sales will go to The Pixie Project, loving pets and people through personalized pet adoption and low-cost veterinary care.

What’s the best part about being an entrepreneur?

I have always been an entrepreneur. In fact, my husband, and two children are entrepreneurs. I embrace the creativity it asks of me. I welcome meeting talented, professionals from all walks of life who help me enhance the creative process. As an entrepreneur, you are in the driver’s seat, constantly firing off neural networks in your brain and that’s incredibly healthy if you can keep stress in check.

What has been the biggest surprise in your entrepreneurial experience to date?

That I could succeed at working for myself!  It requires motivation and dedication. I have found, if you are passionate about what you’re doing, you welcome the challenges.  I have a sign in my office that says, “Whatever you do, follow your passion.”

Your biggest success?

I have worked in the television and film industry and with entrepreneurs as a publicist for many years and loved the experience. But my heart and soul is in Activating Happy. To have such remarkable support staff helping my vision come true, fills me with enormous gratitude. And, I know the knowledge attendees will gain from AH! will help them succeed in ways they never dreamed possible.

 What is the best entrepreneurial advice you have received (and from whom)?

There’s no such thing as failure.  When someone says “no,” you say “next.” I’m not sure where that came from but my parents never believed in the word “failure.” If things don’t work out, it’s part of the learning experience and something better will. Often times, what we may see as failure, turns out to be a blessing in disguise.

What is your #1 piece of advice for a budding entrepreneur?

Understand how your brain works so it works for you, not against you.  You will learn to stay focused and be much more creative and happier for yourself and those around you.

What is the #1 book you would recommend for a budding entrepreneur?

Brad Pendergraft’s new book:  The Un-Worried Brain

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be like Jane Goodall and work with chimpanzees.

Do you think Oregon is a good place to start a business? How has it helped you, and what challenges has it posed?

 I love being an entrepreneur in Oregon. It’s gratifying to be able to work on a national and international scale in a state that you love.  Oregon’s beauty keeps me grounded.  If I need a quick pick me up, I go for a walk or hike in the woods.  It does a soul good. There is considerable scientific research that supports the health benefits of experiencing nature. Oregon is also the home to an extraordinary number of wildly creative entrepreneurs.  It’s energizing to be around it.