Today we’d like to introduce you to Marsha Ashby and Traci Doddy
Hi Marsha and Traci, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Our story is one of true, mutual inspiration. We are a mother and daughter with separate businesses who work together.
Marsha: “It began when I rented a small studio for my Reiki practice, Star Room Reiki, in 2020 when the world was beginning to “re-open” from COVID. Even though times were uncertain, I chose to move forward with my plan.
I believe that what you focus on is what attracts back to you. So rather than “worrying” about whether or not I would have clients, I chose to focus on daily meditation and my gratitude practice. I am grateful to have a beautiful relationship with my daughter Traci, our comfortable home, our continued health, food on the table, reliable cars, the opportunity to have the perfect space to work with my clients. The first year was quite the challenge. The flow of clients was unpredictable and inconsistent. I had several repeat clients and referrals but also weeks where there were no clients at all. This was not helped by the economy and various Covid variants. One day I had a bit of a meltdown and was wondering if I made the right move.
When I shared this with Traci, she surprised me by saying she had secretly been researching the steps to create a Reiki-infused chakra spray and asked if I would work with her by charging the crystals and the sprays with healing energy and intentions.”
Traci: “Over the last two and a half years, it’s become clear there is a great need for strengthening and healing of the mind, body, and spirit. During the pandemic, many people experienced stress, anxiety, fear, sadness, loneliness, and depression. Experiencing too much stress causes one or more chakras to be out of balance which can affect your physical and emotional well-being.”
Marsha: “Before and during the pandemic, Traci and I had both experienced multiple Reiki sessions. We each came to understand how Reiki can affect your life in a positive way. It was really natural that both of us took our experiences to the next level and wanted to help others in their healing journey.
Traci continued with her research, learning which essential oils were best for each chakra, and created her own special blends to get redheadedhummingbird.com up and running online. Watching her go through her process was a big factor in my recommitment to my Reiki practice. My faith inspired someone else, who in turn inspired me.”
Alright, 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?
Nope, not a smooth road but challenges make you stronger. The economy and the various Covid variants created an uncertain time, not just for us but for the country. In addition, it was quite a learning curve to figure out the steps to setting up an online business, getting photos done with limited funds, creating a website, and marketing one’s business. The best lessons came when we each stretched ourselves to reach into our collective set of life experiences to find ways to make it happen. I would call these our transferable skills.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Traci: “I have spent my entire professional career in service to others. It only made sense that I would build a business based on that.”
The Red-Headed Hummingbird has created uniquely blended Chakra balancing sprays that align with the properties of the seven main chakras in our bodies. Each spray contains essential oils and crystals that have been infused with Reiki, which enhances the spiritual properties of the sprays. The ultimate goal of The Red-Headed Hummingbird is to create products that bring harmony to the mind, body, and spirit. Self-love starts with self-care.
Marsha: “I have always been known for having a calming presence. The more I work with my clients, the more I appreciate the art of letting go and being in the present moment. Because it is in the present moment that the magic happens in our lives.”
Star Room Reiki is a small studio where I practice a form of energy healing called Reiki. Our bodies are made of energy. Sometimes the flow of energy becomes blocked for various reasons such as stress, trauma, anxiety or illness, to name a few. Through the practice of Reiki, the intention is to restore the flow of energy to remove these blocks. Improving the flow of energy throughout the body can enable relaxation, relieve pain and speed healing. Reiki is used to charge the crystals and the oil blends with healing energy.
We have always been the best of friends and are very proud to be working together. What sets us apart is that we each have our own business but completely support one another. It’s truly a team effort.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Mutual encouragement and support kept us strong throughout this time, and we always believed that everything would work out. Spirit would not bring us all this way only to let us down.
Traci: “A month before the pandemic closed the world down, I lost my dog, Lucy. She was special needs and I had spent so many years being a caretaker and being her mom, I didn’t know who I was without her. The Covid-19 crisis taught me that it’s OK to set boundaries and not feel guilty about prioritizing people and activities that I choose to allow in my life. It taught me that it’s OK to celebrate the little victories that I took for granted before. But most of all, it taught me that I have something more to offer to the world.”
Marsha: “I lost quite a bit materially. In exchange, I gained the opportunity to learn who Marsha really is and gain a better perspective of what is important – family, health and respect. Now I am doing what truly makes me happy.”
Contact Info:
- Website: The Red-Headed Hummingbird: www.redheadedhummingbird.com and Star Room Reiki: www.starroomreiki.com
- Instagram: The Red-Headed Hummingbird: @redheadedhummingbird and Star Room Reiki: @ashbymarsha
Image Credits
Marsha Ashby
