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

Hi Kia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I just wanted to help! As an educator, working in a low socioeconomic demographic, I noticed a need beyond the scope of being an educator to help the families that looked like me. It seemed like Parents were increasingly lacking the trust in the educator and the educational system while the students were falling behind with negative outcomes and behaviors and the teachers seemed to be the blame for it all with little to no resources and minimal pay.

In 2016, I began working as a mental health counselor for children and family’s in need in the state of New Jersey as a secondary source of Income . In 2018, I formed my company Relax Relate Reclaim LLC. Then the pandemic hit and exposed so many ugly truths about the educational system and mental health awareness that motivated me to retire and make Relax Relate Reclaim LLC a full time purpose driven business!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a mental health therapist who is certified in yoga, meditation, and social/emotional learning after being in education for 20 years. The leap from one career to the other was easy but turning my education into a full time business…not so much! Being an entrepreneur is not easy! As an entrepreneur you are all the workers in your company: the representative, the creator, the negotiator, the maid, the business manager, the organizer (just to name a few) and to add the exchange of mental health energies from your clients can become overwhelming and tiresome. I have a great support system of family and friends that give me space to rest and restore myself, even when I’m resisting because there’s still work to be done.

I can definitely say this is the hardest I’ve ever worked but it’s so worth it. I love helping my clients uncover and discover their true selves. People believe that healing is a one stop shop and it’s not. I believe it’s like the Japanese art of Kintsugi – where the artist repairs the broken pieces of the vessel with gold, leaving a visual seam of gold where the cracks were, only to uncover a more beautiful vessel than before.
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Life can be hard and the day to day unpredictable, there’s something special in the day waiting for you to discover it. “Seek joy in the day, that’s the Relax Relate Reclaim way!” How you mend your vessel is up to you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in South Jersey, about 20-25 minutes outside of Philadelphia. I would begin in Philadelphia at the Art Museum in the springtime. Sit on the steps eating the best Mediterranean food from Hummus in University City, maybe check out City Winery for a show or dance all night with my girl, Stacey aka FLYgirrl for a good and grown party. In the am, enjoy yoga class with me and then brunch at a local favorite The SeaBAR or Oliver Twist or see what’s happening at BrickNKulture’s farmers market or sit outside at Aloha Tiki Bar with a margarita and an empanada! Sunday service with Enon Baptist from the couch with a cup of tea from “Whats the Tea?”, head over to Collingswood or Haddonfield for a little boutique shopping with East Coast Calligraphy, Idas Book Shop, and Wander. A nice facial or massage at Body Joints or maybe even do a little winery tour at Heritage, Valenzano, Auburn Road or get a shot of rum at the Striped Lion distillery. I’m not a Jersey beach girl but I’ll take you if that’s your twist.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A friend, sounding board, virtual coworker (inside joke), a divine healer and creative, Sekayi Brunson. A powerful manifestor with a kind and gentle spirit that helps you be just as kind and gentle. She is the person that says, “I can make that.” and does but better! She has rubbed my back when I needed encouragement, helped dust me off when I got knocked down, and a cheerleader when I needed it. I’ve gained inspiration from her resilience and sense of adventure. I am so blessed to have her as a friend. Thank you Sekayi for always encouraging me to write my own story!

Website: https://www.relaxrelatereclaim.com

Instagram: relax_relate_reclaim_llc kimoves.yoga

Linkedin: Relax Relate Reclaim LLC

Facebook: Relax Relate Reclaim KiMOVES.yoga

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