Steven seriously that won't work! It wouldn't be me! Are you seriously thinking you can earn a living or afford to pay other people doing that?

All things people actually said to me in the spring of 2018, isn't it just fascinating how our friends and family can catastrophize all the things that seem risky and talk us out of things. I've never been one for being talked out of anything, it actually drives me to succeed even more. 

You guys know my story already in the genesis of The Soul Man Scotland so I certainly don't need to regurgitate that just now (if you haven't here's a helpful link to the story from my heart) 

We celebrate our 5th birthday today which is absolutely monumental. 

I am someone who likes to write and journal my thoughts so today I reflect on my writing from 5 years ago just before we opened to welcome our first customers. 

Well here it is we are about to open, I am terrified and excited all in one. I'm working a full time job and creating a brand new business. What the hell am I doing? I made a promise to the spirit world 20 years ago that I would serve them always from a place of compassion and never deviate from my mission of kindness. Kindness will be the cornerstone of everything we do here at the soul Man and friends. Hopefully in a few years I will have people who can help me manage the social media and the invisible side of the business that takes so much work. I am certainly no graphic designer so it would be good to have someone who can design our posts and make things look wonderful. We will have a website and a training academy teaching people how to understand their spiritual gifts. An online shop selling spiritual goods and hopefully one day a bigger shop with more rooms and a shop area to sell stock in. 

But for now we will focus on and be grateful for what we have, our cosy wee tea room and dream for the bigger things to come. 

Wow! Reading that back has really made me think. We've been through so much since that first day with changes in our team, changes to our premises and a global pandemic to boot. 

The company now has a creative director, our lovely Gina Vereker who manages the operations side of the business and Claire Newlands who was promoted to shop manager.

To support Gina and Claire in their roles we employed Gemma Smith our digital marketing assistant and Pam Hilditch our administrator who does the accounting and payroll. And we also have Tamzin Foley as assistant manager who supports Claire. 

We had ambitious plans to open later and have more team members on the days we open but sadly some of our team members decided to leave and pursue new opportunities on their own. So we worked hard to recruit and now have a team of 18 multi-skilled individuals, many of which are Reiki masters and competent readers. We will be showcasing these wonderful readers soon on our website and social media channels!

All of those thoughts and dreams are now a reality as we move to the next milestone of reaching a more national and global audience spreading our ethos of kindness, consideration, respect and understanding. Sharing with the world that everyone is a soul living a human life, and everyone has the ability to see sense and connect with the unseen world. Working from a place of kindness in everything that we do, helping and inspiring many. Now instead of people warning me how things may not be a good idea, they ask me how, when and why. We have built a strong foundation and a recognised brand that we are only getting started with! The sky’s the limit….

So to you reading this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, from that part of me which is infinite that recognises the infinite in you. Whether you're a member of our community or a team member who is part of the journey past or present. 

I’m excited to see how the plans for the future flourish into physical things as we attract new people, places and experiences to our energy. 

And if anyone ever tells you that something is impossible, split that word to ‘I'm possible’. You’ve got this, my friend. Keep being you and don't let fear stop you from dancing on the moon. 

From my Soul to yours 

Steven x