What is the social venture you have developed and why?
I’ve been through a lot of adversity in life. I had a tough childhood and then my dad was diagnosed with cancer when I was 13 and he died seven months later. My mum then became very ill and I became a young carer aged 14. I started to suffer from crippling anxiety and depression, getting panic attacks if I left the house, even if I went into the garden. That was my life for ten years, living in my own hell, being frightened to be alive on this planet.
When I was about 27 I had profound life-changing experience – an out of body experience which changed everything for me. I can now leave house without panic attacks, I can socialise and even stand up and do motivational speaking to help others.
Because it is hard to navigate the changes when going through a spiritual awakening I launched a podcast called Soul Awakenings where I interview people who have been through adversity to help other people who are going through this – to help give them hope that whatever they are going through they can get through it.
It wasn’t all rosy when I first started awakening, I had to go inside myself and heal my traumatic life experiences, one by one, by allowing myself to feel it, to acknowledge my emotions and let go. My talks are mainly about the importance of inner healing – through my podcast and talks I aim to give people hope and motivate them through hard times.
When did you first come into contact with Flourish?
Through Natasha Anand Boojihawan who had been on my podcast. Natasha sent me Flourish’s details, opening channels and doors for me I didn’t know were there.
Before you came on Time to Grow where were you at with your venture/ what have been your projects so far?
When I started working with Flourish I was kind of lost and didn’t know which direction I wanted to take my work. I knew wanted to speak and hold events but didn’t know how to monetise my work, how to get my business up and running.
There is so much to learn which is why I am so grateful for Flourish – without them I would still be lost and wouldn’t know where to start. Flourish are guiding me through it all. I had an idea, but I need to make it into a business. This is what we are working with now – getting my workshops open so I am helping people and getting paid for it.
How did the Time to Grow programme help you?
Narrowing down who your clients are was really helpful. Also branding and social media marketing. I was already quite good at social media but this gave me lots more tips I could use.
The coaching and mentoring is definitely helping, pointing me in really good directions and showing me how to do certain things.
How has your journey been since you joined the programme? Any highs or lows yet?
Winning an award for Best Inspirational Female Speaker (twice!) and being interviewed on BBC was a real high!
How do you see the future of the project developing?
I really do see a big future with this… as I learn I can see it all coming together with events, workshops, becoming a coach (I recently took up a coaching course) with some one-to-one clients too. I’m also training how to deal with trauma so I can help people through their trauma. This is where I will specialise having gone through it myself. It’s a great way to help other people because you know how it feels.
Any top tips to share with other social enterprise start ups?
Keep going! You have an idea so keep the dream alive and keep trust in life. Trust that where you are is where you are meant to be. Learn the skills now and in five or ten years you will be where you need to be to make it happen. You have had your idea for a reason, so don’t worry if it isn’t working out right now, you are meant to go through this. Later on down the line it will work out!
Madiha’s inspirational Soul Awakenings podcast features interviews with people who have overcome adversity and are now thriving in life. You can find out more about Madiha’s work on her website or follow her on Twitter or Instagram.
