In this illuminating conversation with Elena Brower, we dive into what it truly means to build a business that aligns with your deepest truth. Elena – a mother, mentor, poet, artist, bestselling author, and dedicated volunteer – shares her journey of creating multiple streams of work that all reflect her authentic self without forcing anything that doesn’t feel natural.

Elena’s path wasn’t planned but unfolded organically from opening a yoga studio in 2002 to becoming a wellness advocate for doTERRA, developing courses, writing books, and eventually creating space for extensive volunteer work. What stands out is how she’s woven these diverse elements into a cohesive whole that supports both her financial needs and her desire to give back.

Perhaps most powerful is Elena’s refreshing perspective on charging what you’re worth and releasing the shame around selling products and services that bring genuine benefit to others. She challenges us to consider that earning well allows us to give generously—whether through volunteer work, supporting causes, or making our offerings accessible to those who truly need them.

Show Notes

[00:00:24] Beginning the Sacred Business Conversation

* Carolina introduces Sacred Business Stories as a space for honest conversations about building businesses aligned with one’s deepest truth

* Elena is introduced as someone who embodies her teachings—there’s no separation between her work and who she is

* Phil shares Elena’s background as a mother, mentor, poet, artist, volunteer, bestselling author, and host of the Practice You podcast

[00:03:58] Elena’s Business Evolution: Following the Path That Unfolded

* Started with a yoga studio in 2002 that remained open for 12 years

* Midway through that period, began working with doTERRA essential oils after using them for a decade

* The essential oils business grew significantly, providing financial freedom to pursue writing, traveling, painting, and volunteer work

* Nothing was planned—each opportunity emerged naturally and created space for the next phase

* Her various business ventures support one another in an organic ecosystem

[00:10:42] Balancing Multiple Passions and Creating Structure

* Elena acknowledges that different people thrive in different ways—some need singular focus while others (like her) enjoy variety

* Uses a color-coded calendar system to ensure balance between different types of activities

* Blue events mean appearing on camera, pink events are self-care like workouts

* Ensures each day has a balanced mix of activities to maintain energy and wellbeing

* Emphasizes the importance of true rest—not just entertainment, but silence and stillness

[00:15:20] The Power of Simple Embodiment Practices

* Carolina shares how Elena’s Practice You card deck influenced her to drop into her body rather than just feed her mind with more information

* Elena created the deck for herself when she needed simple, non-yoga embodiment practices

* Demonstrates how powerful minimal, accessible practices can be

[00:18:49] Embracing Your Worth and Overcoming Shame Around Selling

* Elena shares how she had to overcome the shame around selling as a yoga teacher

* Reframes selling products and services: “To sell a product that you actually use, from which you derive benefit, is not something to be ashamed about”

* Challenges listeners to question why we shouldn’t earn money that enables us to give back through volunteering, supporting causes, and creating more impact

* Advises “forgive and delete” when encountering judgment from others about charging for your services

[00:24:46] Raising the Bar in the Yoga Industry

* Calls for yoga teachers to charge what they’re worth after thousands of hours and dollars invested in training

* Suggests creative solutions like group sessions to make offerings both sustainable and accessible

* Emphasizes viewing money as energy rather than an evil force, especially when earned doing what you love and are trained for

[00:32:42] Creating Accessibility While Honoring Your Worth

* Uses Substack as a way to make her writing accessible to more people

* Offers free mentorship to those who can’t afford her services

* Gives away substantial content through her website and free webinars

* Consciously balances premium offerings with free resources

* Emphasizes that charging appropriately for some services enables her to give freely in other areas

[00:39:35] Elena’s Current Work and How to Connect

* Shares that her website and Substack are the best ways to explore her offerings

* Offers to gift Substack paid subscriptions to anyone who can’t afford them

* Explains how paid subscriptions support various causes including incarcerated women, grieving children, and Women for Women International

* Discusses her upcoming book “Hold Nothing” featuring autobiographical essays and watercolor art

Key Quotes

“Nothing should be forced. You know, even I have a pretty robust affiliate business as well. And it’s just me sharing what I use already. It’s not complicated.” – Elena Brower

“To sell a product that you actually use, from which you derive benefit, is not something to be ashamed about. Why should I not earn money enough so that I can go out and volunteer?” – Elena Brower

“We shame people for doing great work. We shame people for shining. We shame people for earning enough to support their lives and then to also give. Why is that shameful?” – Elena Brower

“You’ll start to see that actually the pockets of silence are where your best ideas and creativity come from. And you start to realize, oh, if I don’t prioritize those, I have nothing to give.” – Elena Brower

“Whatever works for you is going to magnetize the people whom you’re meant to be serving. That’s what it is. It’s not that any one person is so magnetic.” – Elena Brower

Resources Mentioned

* Practice You card deck and journal

* doTERRA essential oils

* “Hold Nothing” – Elena’s upcoming book (November release)

* GLOW – yoga platform where Elena teaches

* Alberto Villoldo – Elena’s collaborator on a Yoga Sutra course

* Women for Women International

* Free Food Kitchen (South Africa)

* Girls on Fire leaders

Where to Find Elena

* Website:elenabrower.com

* Substack:Elena Brower

* Instagram:@elenabrower

* Practice You podcast

* Pre-order her upcoming book “Hold Nothing” through Penguin Random House

If Elena’s approach to Sacred Business resonates with you, consider how you might release shame around charging for your services and create a model that allows you to both sustain yourself and give generously.

Explore her Substack for weekly wisdom or visit her website for resources on cultivating personal practices that ground your work.

And Elena made a very generous offer during our time together: if financial constraints are holding you back from accessing Elena’s paid content, reach out directly through Substack, as she offers free subscriptions to those who need them. This beautifully demonstrates her philosophy that business can be both sustainable and accessible when approached with intention.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us live for this conversation and to our growing community of sacred business builders. These honest exchanges remind us that we can create sustainable businesses that honor our values while making a meaningful impact

Ready to find your Sacred Business connections? Join the Sacred Business Network

Thank you Kristoffer ‘KC’ Carter, Miranda Ruth Gill, Filip Sardi , and many others for tuning into this episode of Sacred Business Stories with Elena Brower and your hosts, Phil Powis and Carolina Wilke!

P.S. You can read all previous editions of the newsletter here, and you can upgrade your subscription here.

What’s next?

Carolina and I are ready to support you in creating a business that aligns with your heart’s calling. Here’s how we can help:

* Discover Your Sacred Business Alignment (Free): Take the Harmony Map Assessment and read our Sacred Business Manifesto to understand where you are on your path and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to understand how everything in their business connects.

* Read the Sacred Business Manifesto (Free): Learn the core principles of building a Sacred Business through our founding story and framework. See how we transformed our approach to business by understanding that everything is connected.

* Sacred Business Network: Connect with heart-centered entrepreneurs who understand that success comes from alignment. Monthly connection circles, community workshops, and ongoing support through our private community space. Get the encouragement and collaboration you need to grow.

* Join Our Next Implementation Challenges: Action-focused programs like the Sacred Business Planning Rituals Challenge and Substack Growth Challenge help you create real momentum in specific areas of your business. Free for Club members, discounted for Network members. Be sure you are subscribed to be notified when the next one is offered live.

* Sacred Growth Club: A complete support system with weekly embodiment classes, live coaching calls, writing circles, and expert workshops. Designed for entrepreneurs ready to build sustainable success through proven practices while staying connected to their purpose. Includes full access to the Network and all challenges.

* Be The Flow Coaching (1:1): Personal guidance combining strategic business planning with energy alignment work. Weekly coaching sessions plus full access to Sacred Growth Club benefits. Ideal for entrepreneurs seeking deep transformation and sustainable growth in their business.

Get full access to Sacred Business Flow at love.sacredbusinessflow.com/subscribe