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In the bustling world of entrepreneurship, there are those who go beyond conventional business ventures and embark on a mission to make a positive impact in people's lives. One such visionary is Lindai Loutun, the founder and CEO of Lindai’s Bodywork, a wellness company based in New York. With a passion for natural healing and a desire to break free from the constraints of corporate America, Lindai carved her own path in the industry, offering a range of transformative bodywork services and holistic practices.
With over a decade of experience under her belt, Lindai has not only weathered the storm of the pandemic but also emerged stronger, delivering exceptional care and support to her clients. I had the privilege of interviewing Lindai to delve into her inspiring journey as an entrepreneur, her motivations, the challenges she faced, and the strategies she employed to overcome them. Join me as we uncover the story of a trailblazer who turned her passion for healing into a thriving business and continues to empower others on their path to wellness.
Chris Choi: Hello, how are you?
Lindai Loutun: Nice to meet you, Chris.
Chris Choi: It's a pleasure to meet you too, Lindai. Thank you for taking the time to join us today. Before we begin, I would like to start by asking you to provide a brief introduction about yourself, your company's history, mission, and the values you provide. This will help our readers understand the context of your entrepreneurial journey.
Lindai Loutun: Sure, happy to. I started the company ten years ago and survived the pandemic and all the ups and downs. I actually started the company in New York, in Queens. Astoria was where I first began. About me personally, I've lived in New York for 15 years now.
Chris Choi: Oh, that's awesome.
Lindai Loutun: I finished my Masters at NYU and worked in corporate, at a PR/Ad agency for about a year. I realized that it wasn't for me and that corporate America didn't resonate with me at all. I felt stressed and in need of care and body work. So while still working there, I decided to pursue different healing modalities. Natural healing had always been my interest growing up, so I took up massage training that was offered in New York. That's how I got back into it. I had been doing Reiki energy healing for a long time, but I never knew I could actually make a profession out of my passion. When I was really unhappy in that office, in those American cubicles, I felt it was not for me. It felt so strange because I'm originally not from the US.
Chris Choi: Where are you originally from?
Lindai Loutun: I'm from Malaysia and Germany.
Chris Choi: Okay, got it.
Lindai Loutun: In both parts of the world, the cubicle thing is not really the norm. In Europe, I always had my own private office and a window, even if I was just an assistant. Working conditions are simply more humane there. You get vacation time, and taking a lunch break is acceptable. It was different here.
That led me to pursue my passion and more training in the field, from massage to aromatherapy and energy healing. Then the jump from corporate to my own business.
It was a rough start because I never had my own company in the US. I did some entrepreneurial stuff in Europe, but not like this. It was a big leap, and I didn't know what to expect, but I persevered because quitting was not an option. I wanted to keep going and building.
Chris Choi: Makes sense. Cool. That's interesting. You had an office job that you didn't like, so you pursued your dream in healing and helping people.
Lindai Loutun: And you know what? I actually worked in what some might call healthcare before. Well, maybe officially, it's healthcare, but to me, it's not proper healthcare. I worked for a pharmaceutical company before working in an advertising agency. The ad agency knew about my previous work in pharmaceuticals and assigned me to pharma-related projects. I felt that if I stayed in that realm, I would be stuck. That's why I wanted to work on the other side, in natural and alternative healing, which I truly believe in. The more I saw what was going on and how business was done in the more industrial sectors, the more I wanted to be on the other side, working one-on-one with clients and feeling that I was truly making an impact. In the corporate world, you do your job at the office, but you don't know if you're changing people's lives. That's one of my passions, changing people's lives for the better, and I realized I could actually do that by having my own business and working with clients one-on-one or in small groups.
Chris Choi: Yeah, I think that's the most important thing, by the way. You said it's been ten years since you started this business. What are some challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Lindai Loutun: Because I didn't have experience in running a business, especially in the US, the starting part was easy, but knowing how to run it was difficult. In my mind, I put all my numbers together and thought, "Okay, this is how many clients I need to cover my expenses and have a little left over for me to live on." I had a plan, and I didn't have any other job. Then suddenly, I was waiting, but no clients were coming. I didn't know how to get clients. At that time, there was no Instagram, and Facebook wasn't widely used for business.
Chris Choi: That's true.
Lindai Loutun: So that was one of the biggest challenges. I kept using up my savings, and there was no income coming in. I also didn't know about all the possible financial aids or business support that the city might provide. I didn't have entrepreneurial friends, except for one who was also new to the business. I didn't know where to turn, so it was a lot of trial and error. I resorted to old-school marketing techniques like hiring a flyer guy and participating in free events, such as health fairs, to get my name and business out there. That's how I overcame it. I told myself, "I'm not giving up," and I went everywhere to promote myself and my business.
Chris Choi: You tried to reach out to as many people as you could, and eventually, people started coming to you.
Lindai Loutun: Exactly. Then I learned how to build my brand. That was a big challenge for me—how to market myself and get the word out.
Chris Choi: Probably because of the nature of your business, you have a lot of returning customers, right?
Lindai Loutun: Yes, now I do. But it took a while to build that credibility and reputation.
Chris Choi: Okay. And how many customers do you serve in a day or a month these days?
Lindai Loutun: In a day, I try not to see more than five clients because it's physically very demanding.
Chris Choi: That's right. It makes sense to keep the quality of the service.
Lindai Loutun: Exactly. I want to provide 150% for my clients. Serving twelve to fifteen clients in a week is good.
Chris Choi: Got it. And during COVID-19, you probably faced some challenges. How did you overcome them, and what strategies did you adopt?
Lindai Loutun: Well, I had to pivot a little bit during that time and do a lot of risk management. Part of my services, such as energy healing and aromatherapy consultations, could be offered remotely. I focused on those and tried to make the most out of them. It didn't fully compensate for everything, of course. I also started offering online courses and teaching via Zoom. I did what I could, and it was enough to get by. The business wasn't great, but it was enough to sustain me.
Chris Choi: That's great. Okay, are there any different courses or services you offer? What's the best-selling service in your company, and how many people use it?
Lindai Loutun: Are you asking about the services I provide or the courses I teach?
Chris Choi: Both, actually. The services and courses.
Lindai Loutun: The best-selling service is the signature massage called "Body and Soul." It's the most popular among my clients. Thai Massage and Reiki are also quite popular, but Body and Soul massage is definitely the most chosen one.
Chris Choi: Got it. And what would you say is the biggest risk you've taken in your career?
Lindai Loutun: One of the biggest risks was starting from nothing without having many resources. I had very little money, and it was used up quickly. It was a big leap to start my own business without knowing what to expect. Another risk was leaving a secure office job and making the transition.
Chris Choi: It must have been a tough decision to leave regular jobs behind.
Lindai Loutun: Absolutely. There was no regular paycheck, and I was by myself starting the business. I didn't have family here, so there were definitely a lot of obstacles. I also didn't have a mentor at the time, so it was a lot of learning by doing.
Chris Choi: Yeah, it can be challenging. Okay, the next question is, what do you enjoy most about running your business, and what keeps you motivated?
Lindai Loutun: What I enjoy most is seeing clients become pain-free and witnessing their improved state of health. When they come in for a session and leave feeling so much better, it warms my heart. Sometimes, clients may not reach out immediately, but a year or two later, they write to me and say, "I just wanted to let you know that the sessions I had with you really helped me through some challenges, and you made a difference in my life. I don't know if I would have taken this turn without your help." That's pretty amazing.
Chris Choi: That's truly rewarding. Okay, I have one final question. Based on your ten years of experience, what advice would you give to someone starting their own business?
Lindai Loutun: One piece of advice would be that if you have another source of income, try to keep it while you build your business. This way, the transition is smoother and you're not left with no income abruptly. It's important to manage your expectations because things may not go as projected. Another advice would be to always overdeliver for your customers. Give it your all, show that you genuinely care, and go the extra mile. It makes a significant difference and keeps clients coming back and recommending you. Referrals are the best customers you can ask for.
Chris Choi: That's solid advice. Okay, that's all I've got today. Here's the process: I will draft an article based on our interview, and I will send it to you via email. I'll also need your picture and images of your business to include in the article. You can review it and make any revisions or changes you'd like. We'll use Google Docs for collaboration.
Lindai Loutun: Sounds good. If you have any follow-up questions or need further clarification, let me know.
Chris Choi: That sounds good. I appreciate your time and cooperation. If I have any follow-up questions or need further information, I'll reach out to you. Thank you again for sharing your story with us.
Lindai Loutun: You're welcome. It was a pleasure talking to you, Chris. Thank you for reaching out and giving me this opportunity. I look forward to seeing the draft of the article and providing any necessary feedback. Goodbye for now.
Chris Choi: Goodbye, Lindai. Take care and have a great day.
1. Pursue your passion: Lindai Loutun's journey demonstrates the importance of following your passion and finding fulfillment in your work. By leaving behind a corporate job that didn't align with her values, Lindai ventured into the world of natural healing, allowing her to make a profound impact on her clients' lives.
2. Persistence pays off: Starting a business from scratch comes with its fair share of challenges, but Lindai's determination and refusal to give up playing a vital role in her success. Despite initial setbacks and a lack of experience, she persevered, utilizing creative marketing strategies and constantly striving to exceed her client's expectations.
3. Adaptability in uncertain times: The COVID-19 pandemic forced Lindai to pivot her business and find innovative ways to continue serving her clients. Embracing remote services, developing online courses, and prioritizing risk management enabled her to navigate the uncertain landscape and sustain her business during difficult times.
4. Focus on customer care: Lindai's commitment to providing exceptional service and going the extra mile for her clients has been instrumental in building her reputation and fostering long-lasting relationships. By prioritizing customer satisfaction and delivering personalized care, she has created a loyal customer base and garnered valuable referrals.
5. Build a supportive network: While Lindai initially lacked a mentor or a network of entrepreneurial friends, she embraced a learning-by-doing approach. However, she highlights the importance of seeking support and guidance from like-minded individuals. Building connections and learning from others can significantly contribute to the growth and success of your business.
These key takeaways from Lindai's entrepreneurial journey serve as valuable lessons for aspiring business owners, emphasizing the importance of passion, perseverance, adaptability, customer-centricity, and a supportive network on the path to success.
If you're inspired by Lindai Loutun's entrepreneurial story and want to stay connected with her and the world of holistic wellness, make sure to follow Lindai’s Bodywork on social media. By joining their online community, you can gain access to valuable resources, updates on upcoming courses, and insightful tips for enhancing your well-being. Follow @LindaisBodywork on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube to stay in the loop and be part of a supportive community of individuals seeking wellness and balance in their lives.
Remember, embracing a holistic approach to health goes beyond reading inspiring stories—it's about taking action and making positive changes. Follow Lindai’s Bodywork on social media today and embark on your own wellness journey, guided by the expertise and passion of Lindai Loutun and her dedicated team. Together, let's embrace the transformative power of bodywork and nurture our well-being in a holistic and sustainable way.
