11 minute read
THE ALTERNATIVE
ALTERNATIVE HYPNOSIS
BY JACKIE MONAHAN
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Tell us about yourself, and your background.
After graduating from HS (a year early), I borrowed someone’s car, drove to “Kodak, and got hired on the spot.” This was supposed to be one year then going to college. Twenty-Eight Years later I left Kodak to go to RIT full time and I LOVED school. Next, I did many jobs but never really found something that I loved as much as Kodak as a “National Accounts Corporate Trainer.” UNTIL I was hired as a corporate employee at AVON as a District Sales Manager covering the east and west districts in Rochester.
Both companies provided me with great professional experience. My hard work was recognized by winning “The Circle of Excellence Award.” I now realize my success in both positions was because; My goal was to help companies grow sales and people improve their lives. All of this prepared me for my current career as a Hypnotist, which I Love.
What made you decide to join Alternative Hypnosis?
As someone who has struggled with weight after two miscarriages and a stillborn. Then a radical Hysterectomy to remove Cancer. I dealt with a lot of stress issues. Then I started with tremors, which had me going to all kinds of doctors, even Neurologists. I was tired of all the meds and became desperate to get “ME” back. So, I checked out “Alternative Hypnosis” because I heard they were the best. AND GUESS WHAT Happen? My Tremors went away and I started losing a lot of weight. The more I learned about Alternative Hypnosis, the history, and the success rate, I did not want to stop going and wanted to be a part of the “Hypnosis World.” I love how it teaches people a natural and healthy lifestyle. Besides losing weight, Alternative Hypnosis provides one of the most important services, near
and dear to my heart: “Helping people live a happier and healthier life but also make it fun.”
Tell us about what types of services you offer at Alternative Hypnosis.
Alternative Hypnosis offers several programs. With all the stress of today’s world, the most common needs are for Weight Loss, Smoking, and Stress issues. There are many others such as Tinnitus, Wart removal, Sports improvement, and test anxiety for students, Pain management, etc. We first offer a FREE screening to determine your needs and how bad you want to make that change. Sometimes clients do need to provide a doctor’s approval for specific needs. Fortunately, Hypnosis popularity is growing and is now being recognized by the medical field. It is common to have doctors send clients to us.
What motivates me personally and professionally?
Personally – I love to take on challenges, such as recently restoring our 170-year-old Victorian home which included a lot of interior and exterior challenges. However, the results are very rewarding.
Professionally - I want to feel like
I’m making a difference and helping make improvements. At Kodak;
I loved monitoring and training teams to accomplish their sales goals, across the US for Kodak’s
National Accounts and before that was for Kodaks call center. I consistently monitored the numbers to ensure we were consistently making measurable improvements.
It was very motivating to continue growth within each account.
As a Corporate employee at Avon, I loved helping people realize their strengths to become independent. When people became financially independent it increased their overall self-worth and that is what motivates me. Now with Hypnosis, “My Accomplishment feelings” are off the charts. When someone tells
me they have no desire to smoke, then after a few quick sessions; their smile says it all and shows me that I am in the right place. I love listening to people tell me how much better they feel. I am grateful to be able to help people to improve their lives overall.
What does the word empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment means having a clear path and plan with steps towards an accomplishment or goal. It first takes being given the freedom to take the ball and run with the project. Going towards a preset goal and knowing how to deal with any roadblocks that may change the planned path.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
I would have jumped right into the world of natural healing. I’ve always had a strong interest and study in how the brain works and Hypnotism uses many of those abilities that people don’t even know about. My life would have been so much easier if I only knew then what I know now. I grew up in a world where you went to one company and stayed with that company till retirement. I wish I did that with hypnosis. Better late than never!
What do you feel are your greatest strengths?
“Training, Teambuilding and overall People skills.” Especially now as a hypnotist, it is a partnership to determine needs then improve someone’s life by creating a healthier future. There is so much to learn in the “Hypnosis World” and I love constantly absorbing more,
by reading, seminars, etc. So that I can continue to grow.
Who has been your greatest inspiration or role model?
I love when women overcome challenges and always turn lemons into lemonade. Instead of dwelling on the negative, they strive to overcome it.
Katharine Hepburn created change by wearing pants in public and from then on, women were able to have a choice. It was a huge step for women back then. The woman that we all admire for her strengths is Oprah. Nothing was handed to her but she continued to strive for what matters most: helping people accomplish more than they realize possible.
“What is your ‘why? ‘” Why did you decide to become a female entrepreneur and why now?
I am tired of working for people whose goal is to earn an income from my work. I spent many years working with people who might do less but get paid more. I now realize that the more you show you can do- The bar will continue to rise higher. At Alternative Hypnosis, It’s natural to do my best and, I consistently feel great knowing positive results.
How did working through the pandemic affect you for the better or worse?
I did get VERY caught up in the pandemic and embarrassed to say I was on unemployment. The situation created so much stress, that I needed help. That is how I ended up going for Hypnosis, looking for natural help. The pandemic was/is the worst but it put me on the course to a future as a Hypnotist. I have learned so much that I am sure God was creating this path that landed me with this rewarding team and career as a hypnotist. Yes, the pandemic was awful but I choose to look for the rainbow after a storm.
Name one special moment during your career that has stood out to you and why.
While I was training – One of my best friends, in the Rochester area landed in the hospital with a heart attack. Doctors told her it was a “Heart Break – Heart Attack” because of the stress she was dealing with. At first, I felt helpless because I was so far away- But while I was talking to her on the phone, while she was at the hospital. She was telling me about the incident and her stressors. The more she told me I could tell she was getting more and more stressed – I said: “Lena, stop! – Let me hypnotize you over the phone to get you to relax.” One of the things I did was tell her to keep her eyes closed tightly. I continued talking until I assumed she was resting, by the sound of her breathing. The next AM I called to see how it went. We were both so thrilled that it worked and she got a great night’s sleep. However, the nurse came in during the night and woke her up. At first, she could not open her eyes (I left out the part that you can open your eyes if you need to, which I do for face-to-face appointments.) Eventually, she talked with the nurse but peacefully fell right back to sleep. This was another situation that made me realize: Hypnotism is the career I need to be in.
COACHING WITH KRISTIN
“Surviving the Storm and always looking for a silver lining.” I have been in some rough situations and yes, they have all made me stronger. I wish I had a dollar from everyone who told me: “You need to write a book.” Hopefully, my experiences could be educational if shared with others. I now realize I need to accomplish things important to me, because I am important too. Many times, my big heart gets in the way and hopefully, my book will help others learn from my mistakes. And pay attention to the roadblocks.
What do you feel makes a good woman leader?
Being a Role-model and sharing goals with others. Identify needs, train, guide, then partner and monitor, delegate, and teach more when needed.
What do you have planned for the next year? What about five years from now for your business?
My goal is to completely take over the E. Syracuse location before 2022, then open satellites in the Rochester area. I have always had a 2nd job. However, this does not feel like a J O B. Having a 2nd or 3rd location will keep me busy as something I love doing. As things with the pandemic change our lives, I will also offer Zoom sessions (Per request) however that would be a last resort. Though, there are no boundaries with Zoom.
What was the hardest decision you ever had to make?
The hardest decision I had to make was when I decided to leave Kodak after 28 years, to go to School/RIT full time. The standing joke was: If I ever cut a finger, I would squirt Yellow Blood. (Yellow as a Kodak Trademark color)
Kodak was more of a family-type atmosphere -vs- Work.
How do you personally define business success? Is it money? Freedom? Influence? Creative expression and innovation? Something else?
Business success requires dedication, planning, and the ability to be driven and committed to accomplishing goals while remaining flexible. Being able to go home at the end of the day no matter how many hours; I need to feel like I made a difference. To me, that is success.
What education or experiences did you have that prepared you for being a female entrepreneur and business owner?
Many years with very diverse business experiences in corporate America and going to Rochester Institute of Technology, with an extensive and aggressive curriculum, has prepared me for my next career. I have always felt customer service and people skills were extremely important. Customer satisfaction is the best kind of advertisement for any business growth.
I also earned a variety of certificates along with my Bachelors of Science degree - with honors. Most were related to Business, People skills such as Leadership, Change, Management, etc.
What is something not everyone knows about you?
I’ve always needed speed and feeling the wind in my face is so freeing. With that; I once drove a formula continental at Road Atlanta where I was invited to change careers. I was all signed up for Skip-Barber racing school and had sponsors. However- I could not leave Kodak to be a racecar driver. In the winters, I was able to arrange my work schedule so that I could ski daily, and I loved my old MG. With all those things in my history, when I turned 60, I did something outrageous, out of character for me and it did not fit my character or lifestyle. I worked on my bucket list and bought a Harley Davidson after taking a class. It is very thrilling to again feel that wind in my face.
How has Alternative Hypnosis affected your life?
Alternative Hypnosis has affected my life 100%. I do most everything healthy now. I now take better care of ME and realize that if I’m not emotionally or physically well, then that is a dead end. I’m the only one who can make changes and improve my life and now I do. I realize that I deserve more – I deserve the Best and so do YOU! Most of all: It helped open my mind and eyes to what I want to do for a career: “Help people improve their lives.”
