Today we’d like to introduce you to Johanne Osias.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Let’s start from the beginning, I was born and raised in Haiti. When I was 15 years old, my family moved my older brother and I to Brooklyn, NY. My younger sister was already living in the US with my mother. I didn’t speak the language so I took 5 ESL (English as a Second Language) classes my sophomore year in high school to learn English. Fast forward to college, I went to the University of Vermont where I got my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 2006 with an undeclared concentration in Psychology. I wasn’t familiar with Psychology back home and learning about human behaviors and what makes us tick grabbed my attention. I moved back to Brooklyn after graduation and worked as a social worker for the HIV/AIDS community.
I returned to Vermont, where I got my Masters in Clinical Psychology in 2010 at Saint Michael’s College. I have worked as a community-based therapist ever since. Until recently, as of March when I decided to walk away from the field and after doing some deep soul searching, I launched my Wellness Self-care coaching business Chez Fabine “where happiness lives”. My mission is to help mothers, caregivers, therapists and social workers that don’t have the support system and who feel overwhelmed by everyday routines and responsibilities to find the balance in their lives via self care. We aim to remind them that self-care is the ultimate form of self-love.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road but it has been well worth it. I took some time off to clear my head, mind, and soul. I returned to my first loves which are cooking, napping and implemented other forms of self-care like aromatherapy, massage therapy, salt therapy, and pedicures. I have been a fan of napping all my life and I understand the benefits of having a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Starting a business is a lot of work and I am learning to be patient with myself and I am proud of the progress I have made in just four months.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I am a wellness self-care guru. I specialize on life, career and relationship coaching. I offer a 6 week wellness self-care boot camp, where participants can take a deep dive
into what is preventing them from having a self-care regimen. I assist my clients in developing a self-care routine that they can follow daily and implement in their lives.
I am known for going on solo trips at least once a year to connect with myself. As a mother of two and and wife, I make my wellbeing a top priority and set myself up for success. My focus is to help other parents to come back to themselves and not feel guilty for prioritizing their needs and wants. What we are most proud of as to date is our “Diner en Blanc” Grand opening where we hosted 16 people and raised funds for Pathway to Hope Charity which help provide mobile clinics in Haiti. What sets me apart from others is the fact that I live what I teach.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One of my favorite memories from childhood is developing the ability to fall asleep almost anywhere. I can remember fondly getting picked up by my uncle from school and sleeping on the car ride back home. It was truly one of the most blissful and restful experience ever and that is why I incorporate napping as part of my daily self care routine.
Contact Info:
- Website: johanneosias.com
- Phone: 347-525-5220
- Email: johanne.osias@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Yellow dress pictures taken by Lisa Simone
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