We had the good fortune of connecting with Severine Cukierman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Severine, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Severine Cukierman’s story is one of remarkable transformation – a journey from the demanding world of corporate America to the serene realm of yoga and wellness entrepreneurship. With an unwavering commitment to personal growth and holistic well-being, Severine has redefined her path and is now inspiring others to do the same.

Severine’’s professional journey began in the high-paced realm of entertainment technology (i.e. streaming), where she quickly rose through the ranks due to her strategic acumen and leadership prowess. Despite her professional success, she always knew this career was not her “raison d’etre,” and wanted to pursue purpose-filled work that would leave a positive impact on others.

Guided by her intuition and driven by a newfound purpose, Severine embarked on a profound journey of self-discovery. She undertook a 200-hour yoga teacher training and began to apply Theravadan Buddhist principles to her life, which emphasize attaining self-liberation through one’s own efforts.

Two years later, Severine developed Shakti Coaching Services, which blends her passion for wellness with her strategic acumen for business growth strategy. As a wellness-focused entrepreneur, she is dedicated to bolstering wellness businesses by harmonizing their relationship with customer and sales data, empowering them to make informed decisions and amplify their profitability.

As a yoga teacher, Severine brings a refreshing blend of authenticity, compassion, and depth to her teachings. Her classes are not just physical workouts but transformative experiences that encourage self-awareness and inner alignment. Severine’s journey from the boardroom to the yoga mat has given her a unique perspective that resonates with a diverse audience.

Severine’s story underscores the power of embracing change and following one’s heart to forge a purposeful life. Her evolution from a corporate leader to a yoga visionary and wellness entrepreneur serves as an inspiration for those seeking a more balanced, fulfilling, and meaningful existence.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
focus areas in my business are teaching yoga and offering business empowerment coaching to wellness businesses. Prior to this I spent 11 years in corporate America, where I’ve commanded the boardrooms of media giants like Nielsen, Roku, and Hulu. I climbed the corporate ladder due to my expertise as a business and marketing growth strategist where I crafted and executed data-driven strategies that generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for these Fortune 500 companies. Despite this success in corporate, I was seeking to bring purpose into my career, which is why I decided to take my expertise in business growth strategy and merge it with my passion, wellness. It’s my mission in life to leave a positive impact on this world and the work I was doing in my corporate career in the streaming industry was not accomplishing that for me.

The transition has not been easy or straightforward, though I do believe I’m on the right path. At times I get impatient about the progress of my new career and business, and then I remember that it took me 10+ years to develop my previous career successfully. I’m learning the true meaning of surrender, trusting that God only places things in my path that I can handle. Slowing down from the hustle and bustle of a corporate job has allowed me to get more in touch with my intuitive nature, my feminine side. This is unlocking my creativity in new and exciting ways, which translates to being able to better serve my clients. I’m most proud of my adaptability over the years. As new opportunities have come along, I’ve always been willing to continue learning and growing, even if it meant feeling some discomfort for a short while. I believe we grow through discomfort. If we’re not changing, we’re not growing. I bring this mentality and guiding principle into Shakti Coaching Services as a I work with my clients to help them meet new thresholds of personal and professional success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to: – Miami Beach for a few good beach days and great food (Joe’s Stone Crab, Le Sandwicherie, CVI.CHE 105, Bodega)
– Wynwood to see the graffiti walls, more great food (Beaker & Gray, Doya, 1-800-Lucky, Coyo Taco), and cool bars (Dante’s HiFi, Lagniappe, Brick)
– Coconut Grove for a tour of some of the most beautiful homes in Miami, good shopping (Cocowalk), and Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my husband, Mike Sekula, who has always encouraged and supported me in the pursuit of my dreams and passions. He never ceases to show up for me. As I’ve made the transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship, in the toughest moments, Mike reminds me of my WHY. He reminds me that my work is making a difference. This transition has been possible thanks to his support and I’m incredibly grateful to him for that.

Website: shakti.coach

Instagram: severineshakti

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scukierman/

Image Credits
Chris Bonilla Lily

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