Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Banner.
Blake, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Everything really started after I ventured on my personal healing journey and made discoveries about who I am and what my soul purpose is in this life. During that period of discovery (that is still ongoing), I was able to find helpful tools and techniques that assisted me in improving my mental, spiritual, emotional and physical health. I’m a walking testimony of the power of mindfulness and how it can positively impact your life. It took a lot of research and digging in a variety of books, podcasts, blogs, etc. to come across the techniques that got me to that point. I was on the hunt to find things that I really resonated with. Many of the tools I found useful were ones that aren’t typically highlighted in mainstream media or outlets, which I noticed was an issue. I know that healing and personal journeys aren’t a “one size fit all” type thing, and there are so many tactics worth exploring to assist individuals in finding their own balance and peace.
The moment I took control of all aspects of my personal health, I knew I had a mission to guide and expose others to valuable information that they can benefit from to develop themselves spiritually, emotionally and physically. I completed my Reiki practitioner training, positive psychology and meditation courses and sound healing education so that I could provide these types of services to those who needed them or were curious about them. I formally launched my website (www.drblakebanner.com) in 2018, which serves as the home base for my client services, wellness blog focusing on complementary and alternative therapies, information on mindfulness techniques and how to lead a healthy life through holistic strategies. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy and practicing physical therapist, it’s important for me to bridge the gap between Western and Eastern medicine. I aim to dismantle preconceived notions surrounding energy work and the limitless power of the mind.
Educating others about their body and the power of the healing properties they hold within is my passion and the blog allows me to do that. 2018 was also the year that I created and released something I’m extremely proud of, Absolute Affirmations: 44 Positive Affirmation Cards, which was a joint passion project with my sister. This is a 44-card positive affirmation deck that was created to encourage people to stay focused on positivity, even in the face of obstacles and to continually uplift themselves, which leads to empowerment and progress. My sister and I wanted to create something that reflected the way we live life and to share the power of positivity with imagery and written guidance that is relatable and modern. In 2019, The Healer Dealer Shop (thehealerdealershop.bigcartel.com) was born, which is an online shop I started and currently curate and create products for, so others can have access to high-quality goods, tools and products needed for holistic healing and wellness. I feel I’m being Divinely guided in everything that I do and the path I’m on is being laid in front of me beautifully – Although I might not understand everything in the moment as it is happening, things tend to come full circle, which allows me to continue on this journey with confidence.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest struggle for me along the way was overcoming imposter syndrome. I feel that we can always have a mile-long list of accomplishments and still have to battle this feeling of being inadequate or simply not being good enough. When I first began leading guided meditations or performing energy healing sessions with clients, I always wanted to be perfect; I put the most unrealistic expectations on myself, which led to stress and a reduction in my confidence. I had to really get out of that headspace, which took positive self-talk, support from my friends and family and understanding that I DO have something of value to offer others and it’s my passion and purpose so there’s no need to get discouraged or try to be a perfectionist. I also feel like this is what makes it so easy for me to relate to my clients and understand what it’s like to be in that place in life, battling that gave me perspective and allows me to have so my empathy for others when they express those “imposter syndrome” feelings. Looking back at it all, it now feels like that challenge actually ended up helping me grow and mature while gaining confidence in something that I know I was born to do.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Healer Dealer Shop story. Tell us more about the business.
All of this began initially as a blog for information on complementary and alternative therapies while I offered my services, including guided meditation, sound healing sessions, in-person and distance Reiki [energy work] sessions. I launched my online store, The Healer Dealer Shop, in 2019 after noticing a disparity in the community I was providing all of this new information and education to and them having access to and finding the metaphysical tools and products that they can begin using and exploring for themselves. The Healer Dealer Shop is a labor of love, I wanted to make it easy for the consumer, from beginners to experienced individuals in holistic wellness, to find everything that they are looking for in one location, including but not limited to essential oil spray blends, natural crystal bracelets, tumbled crystal healing kits, incense sets, and so much more.
What sets my business apart from others is that I create and curate all of the products in my shop with intention, “everything with intention” is really the blueprint for the shop – we aren’t just buying these products for the sake of having it, we’re doing it for a specific purpose and we’re cultivating mindfulness and awareness. Another difference between my business and others is I value the education aspect; I want anyone who stumbles upon my online shop to be able to learn something new, whether that’s what essential oil works best for easing headache pains, to which crystals work best with their specific zodiac sign or what herbs are best used for cleansing your space and promoting a positive mood boost. The descriptions of all of my items are so thorough they can probably serve as their own mini-blog post and I offer all of my products at a reasonable price point because I understand the needs of the community and want everyone to have access. Of course, I’m still booking my other services and providing my clients with those individual experiences but the online shop is something that I’ve really poured so much of my love, energy and time into so I’m just super proud of it and how much it has grown in the course of one year.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck being good or bad, I just think of it as a particular event of chance and the way you view it all depends on perspective. I do, however, believe in synchronicities, which has led to a cascade of events, opportunities and encounters that has allowed my business to grow the way it has over the past year. I’m always looking for the signs from the Universe that are pushing me out of my comfort zone and into an even better position.
Contact Info:
- Website: thehealerdealershop.bigcartel.com
- Email: thehealerdealershop@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/thehealerdealershop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehealerdealershop
- Twitter: twitter.com/healershop
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