Behind the Biz: Ohana Wellness

Poway mom Rachel Rainbolt is here to let parents in on the secrets to finding the balance between work and family—something she said many have told her isn't possible.

Rainbolt heads Ohana Wellness, whose mission is "to enhance the well being of families through fun education that supports secure attachment and effective parenting skills." She teaches classes, writes articles and recently published a book called Sage Parenting.

Patch sent Rainbolt five questions about running her business Poway, her tips for other entrepreneurs and what she'd like to see more of from other local businesses.

When did you open your business and why did you choose this community?

This is home for me. I am from Poway (went to Tierra Bonita, Twin Peaks and Poway High). I went away to college and when I was pregnant with my first child, I moved back. I loved this community and knew this was where I wanted to set down roots and raise my children. The sense of community that exists here is special and unlike anywhere else. This also makes it an ideal place for my business, which is based on helping families thrive.

In 2008 I received my master’s degree in family therapy and had developed a specialization in parenting, early childhood and attachment. I had my second child and decided that I wanted to follow my passion, helping parents to build a meaningful and positive connection with their little ones with effective parenting based on love, while mothering my little ones. So I wore my baby in a wrap and earned my certification as a parent educator of infant massage.

This is where Ohana Wellness began in January of 2009, teaching a class for parents of infants, where infant massage is used as a vehicle for attachment.

What are some of the challenges you've faced? What have you learned from them?

I have faced many challenges as an entreprenuer. I really created everything that I do. There was no job opening or a position that I stepped into. I had a drive and a vision and I worked hard to manifest it. When I began teaching the infant massage class at the start of my business, it was a class that solely revolved around infant massage strokes. I paired with the executive director of Infant Massage USA and wrote an entire curriculum that incorporates all aspects of parenting infants, creating the Sensational Baby class that I teach today. It is now a fun class that revolves around informative discussion on everything from sleeping to babywearing to crying. I went on to publish articles, create the Soothing Slumber DVD, write the Sage Parenting book and create the Sage Parenting class.

I was also challenged to live what I call a family-integrated life through my business. I was told “No, that’s not possible” countless times, but I created a way to contribute in meaningful and positive ways to society while mothering my children. My business is a family business. My baby goes everywhere I go contentedly participating from his snuggly home on my chest. My kids come with me to events and classes as it suits them. I learned that balance, which is different for everyone, is key to being fulfilled and happy in life. For me, that means my children are included. I wrote the entire Sage Parenting book with my baby breastfeeding and/or sleeping on my chest. This is the convergence of my professional and personal harmony.

What distinguishes your business from others in the same industry?

Anyone who takes one of my classes or reads my book can attest to the blaring difference between my work and the work of others. Parents are flooded with heaps of bad advice that everyone is all too willing to offer. My education in this field, vast professional experience helping parents with young children, personal experience mothering my own three children, philosophical approach based on you being the world’s foremost expert on your child, and my passion for this work, this life really, makes what I have to offer families significantly different from everything else out there. Families who are touched by my work are changed by it. It goes beyond learning a calming technique or a disciplinary tool. It unlocks the amazing parent you have inside you. It empowers you to rewrite your parenting script.

What's the best business advice you've been given, and what's your favorite advice to share?

The best business advice I’ve been given is to befriend successful business role models and to align myself with others who share my vision. Joann Woolley with Sign 4 Baby, Dr. Damon Cobb with Poway Women’s Care, Shelley Rahim with Yoga Jai Ma are all examples of partnerships I have formed, relationships I have built, in which we support each other for the benefit of all the families in our community.

Another piece of business advice that has been motivational to me is to make it happen. So often when standing at the head of a trail, we can be paralyzed by the overwhelming and daunting weight of the unknown that lies before us. Whether that be starting a degree program or writing a book or creating a class—just do it! Take that first step, let your passion guide you and keep trekking! I don’t believe in excuses. If something is important to you, you make it happen. This is also my favorite piece of advice to share with others.

What changes, if any, would you like to see in the local business community?

I would like to see our entire business community work more cooperatively in support of each other. If your intentions are altruisticly motivated (which can include making a profit while helping make the world a better place in some way), then our goals are all compatible. We seek to make people’s lives better in some way. Support of each other in the form of things like referrals and a sharing of ideas only better serves our community. When we help each other to be our best selves then we can all reach our potential. And in that, the whole community benefits.