Meet Mary Spencer | Business Owner/Chiropractor

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

Hi Mary, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Over the years, I’ve started several businesses that were rooted in passion, but also driven by profit. Each venture reflected something I cared about, but there was always a financial goal tied to it. The Inner Light Community Center, however, has been a completely different experience. This is the first business I’ve created that’s love-based, where profit is not the primary motivation. That shift in mindset has taken some time to fully embrace, but it’s also been incredibly liberating and meaningful.

My partner and I founded the Inner Light Community Center to bring authentic spiritual practices to our area. Personally, I felt there was a deep need and a lack of understanding around the true nature of who we are as human beings. In a world filled with pain, division, and misunderstanding, we saw an opportunity to create a space for healing, growth, and connection.

At our core, we are all the same, consciousness expressed through the human nervous system. Yet so many of us walk through life wearing masks shaped by past conditioning, trying to fit in, be accepted, or protect ourselves from being hurt. Our mission is to guide people back inward, toward their own truth, through practices like meditation, breathwork, Tai Chi, and other present-moment modalities. These tools help us become more grounded, centered, and aligned with who we really are. That, for me, is the heart of why this business exists.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At the Inner Light Community Center (ILCC), we’ve created something truly unique, a space where spiritual exploration isn’t just welcomed, it’s celebrated. While many studios and wellness centers are cautious about which offerings they allow, often for fear of alienating potential clients or compromising their business model, we’ve taken a different path. What sets us apart is our openness to authentic spiritual expression and our unwavering support for facilitators to bring their full gifts into the space.

We offer everything from Cacao Ceremonies, Grief Yoga, and Holistic Yoga, to Tai Chi with sound bowls, intimate lineage sessions, and transformative women’s circles. These aren’t trendy classes, they’re deeply rooted practices that help people reconnect with their true selves. ILCC is a place where curiosity is encouraged, where facilitators can be brave, and where the community can explore healing in many forms.

This business was born not from a strategic plan, but through deep meditation, stillness, and trust in divine timing. I didn’t know how it would take form, I just held space for it. After attending my second empowerment retreat led by Christina Rodrigues, I knew her gifts needed a consistent home. Her teachings go beyond physical movement; she embodies the true essence of yoga and spiritual empowerment. After a few heartfelt conversations, the vision began to unfold, not as a traditional studio model, but as something more fluid and soul-led.

One of the things I’m most proud of is our decision to lease our space to facilitators at incredibly low rates. Our goal is to remove the financial barriers that often prevent talented healers and teachers from sharing their work. We promote their offerings on our social media and website, but we also encourage them to share their events within their own circles. It’s a grassroots, word-of-mouth approach, and while it grows slower than traditional models, it grows with integrity.

The biggest lesson I’m learning in this journey? Patience, patience, patience, over and over again. In my previous businesses, I operated in full-throttle mode, growing quickly and staying in control. But this time is different. This business is grounded in flow, intuition, and trust. Christina and my own personal practices have helped me shift from pushing to allowing. That’s not always easy, especially when you’re used to driving growth with urgency, but it’s been one of the most rewarding parts of this experience.

What I want the world to know about ILCC is this: it’s not just a business. It’s a living, breathing space of transformation, born from love, not profit. We’re here to help people reconnect with their essence, explore spiritual truth, and support one another along the way. And we’re just getting started.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d plan a relaxed and fun mix of outdoor exploration, local culture, and great food. I’ve always loved hiking, so we’d start with a walk at Kennesaw Mountain, one of my longtime favorites. We’d also spend a day exploring the Atlanta BeltLine, my youngest daughter lives there, and it’s such a fun area to walk, people-watch, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. One evening would definitely include a show at the Fox Theatre, paired with dinner at a local restaurant. Closer to home, we’d catch a performance at the Strand Theatre in Marietta or MadLife Stage & Studios in Woodstock, both offer fantastic local entertainment. Dining is always a highlight, and one of my new favorites is Barcelona Wine Bar. The food is authentic, and the staff’s enthusiasm is infectious. Downtown Marietta also has several great spots, like Hemp and Harry’s, Mac’s Chop House, and Silla del Toro. I’d wrap up the week by bringing my friend to a session at the Inner Light Community Center, where they could experience one of our offerings like tai chi, sound healing, or a women’s circle.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people have helped me in my journey, it’s hard to mention them all. Of course my mom, who told me from a very early age, that I could do or be anything I wanted, even in a time when women were stilling quite restricted in their career choices. I never felt that restriction, and plowed forward doing whatever felt “right” to me. My husband, Steve, is a constant sounding board of my ideas, feelings, and thoughts behind “all the things I want to do”, most of which including helping others. Dr. Karen Ferguson, was my mentor in the Chiropractic field, showing me how to run a beauitful and fulfilling family wellness clinic.

Spiritually, I’ve been shaped by the wisdom of many great teachers. Eckhart Tolle, whose voice I listen to daily, continually brings me back to the present moment and reminds me of my true essence. I’m also profoundly influenced by Deepak Chopra, Neale Donald Walsch, Dan Millman, Michael Singer, Byron Katie, and Wayne Dyer. Their teachings have helped illuminate my path and keep me aligned with what matters most.

To all of them, and so many more who have crossed my path, I offer my deepest thanks.

Website: https://www.innerlightcommunitycenter.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570580797583