Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Blair
Hi Kimberly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into the wellness industry began when I was diagnosed with Graves Disease, a stress-induced autoimmune condition that I developed from the relentless hustle culture of the tech world. The constant need to be available for every email and text, coupled with neglecting self-care and personal passions, led me to a breaking point where I was hospitalized and on the brink of a stroke.
After undergoing radioactive iodine treatments and being prescribed 13 medications daily, I lost faith in my body. This challenging period led me to explore holistic practices, which I discovered at Saffron & Sage clinic in Mission Hills. Not only did I experience a significant improvement in my physical health, going into remission and reducing my medication intake to just three pills a day, but I also gained exposure to healing modalities I had never heard of or was once skeptical about.
Realizing that I needed a major life shift, I decided to pivot out of tech and began working at the clinic, starting as an intern. Over time, I advanced to roles such as Concierge, Experience Director, and eventually General Manager, overseeing operations, staff, marketing, sales and retreats.
At this pivotal moment, my mother was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma cancer and I felt completely lost, unable to answer the pressing question: “How can I help?” It was then that the Reiki Masters at Saffron & Sage encouraged me to enroll in an intensive two-year training program. During this time, I was able to visit my mother in the hospital and facilitate energy work. The results were so profound that nurses began taking notice, and the head of Oncology even pulled me aside, asking me to extend my stay because, in his words, “whatever you’re doing is helping what we’re doing.”
This experience led me to explore clinical hypnotherapy, encouraged by another colleague at Saffron & Sage. I discovered a natural talent for it and decided to step away from my General Manager duties to focus entirely on one-on-one client sessions. I expanded my practice to include conscious connected breath work and sound therapy to press even deeper into the wellness world.
Sadly, my mother passed away from a thrush infection that spread to her lungs, and I faced a tremendous grief I was completely unfamiliar with and unable to navigate through. To navigate this loss and address the unresolved grief lingering in my heart, I enrolled in the Grief Recovery Method. A year later, my grief mentor encouraged me to pursue further training in Los Angeles.
Upon completing the training, I felt a strong pull to start my own practice, apply everything I had learned in my various roles at Saffron & Sage, and create something uniquely my own. This led to the founding of The Guides Holistic Therapies, with two locations in La Jolla and Pacific Beach.
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?
Starting my own business was undoubtedly challenging, but the diverse roles I held at Saffron & Sage were instrumental in building my confidence and skills, showing me that I could venture out on my own and succeed. It’s only month three of The Guides Holistic Therapies being up and running, but one of the first obstacles I encountered was finding a space that fit my needs. I was incredibly blessed to find not just one, but two perfect locations. Now, the challenge is SEO and getting The Guides out into the community, ensuring that I’m able to serve as many people as possible throughout San Diego County.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Guides Holistic Therapies is a sanctuary for healing and transformation, specializing in Clinical Hypnotherapy, Grief Counseling, Conscious Connected Breathwork, Sound Therapy, and Reiki. The practice is known for its personalized, heart-centered approach, where each client’s unique journey is honored and supported. What sets us apart is the deep integration of holistic modalities, born from my own experiences with grief, autoimmune challenges, and the desire to create a space where others can find true healing. I’m most proud of the authentic connections we build with our clients and the safe, nurturing environment we’ve created across our two locations in La Jolla and Pacific Beach. I want readers to know that The Guides is not just a wellness center but a community where you can embark on a transformative journey, receiving tailored care that addresses mind, body, and spirit, and helps you reconnect with your true self
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I used to be risk-averse, but moving to San Diego after college with no job or place to live pushed me to trust myself and embrace uncertainty. That experience showed me that taking risks can lead to great rewards. Throughout my career, I’ve pivoted across various industries—from property management to higher education, multiple tech companies, and now holistic healthcare. Entrepreneurship wasn’t even on my radar last year, but at the age of 41, I took the leap, and a net appeared. Needless to say the trust muscle is growing and I’m becoming more and more tolerant of risk because of being entrepreneur.
Pricing:
- 200 per session
- Discounted packages
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theholisticguides.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theguidesholistictherapies?igsh=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
