Alexis Quarles
Jamie Suarez
John Mauceri
St. John's University
Charles Wankel
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A Healthier You was established in 2020 by Ma’Sheka Thomas with the mission of providing holistic mind-body services. It aims to help individuals and communities become healthier versions of themselves through yoga, meditation, holistic lifestyle programs, and life coaching. The business contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by promoting good health and well-being (SDG 3), ensuring healthy lives, and promoting well-being at all ages. Through its holistic approach, it addresses various aspects of health, including mental, physical, social, financial, spiritual, and emotional well-being.
A Healthier You is a visionary enterprise founded by Ma’Sheka Thomas in 2020, amidst the global pandemic, aimed at fostering comprehensive wellness. The innovation of this business lies in its holistic approach to health, recognizing the connection between mental, physical, social, financial, spiritual, and emotional well-being. By offering services such as yoga, meditation, holistic lifestyle coaching, and life skills workshops, the business directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, which is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Located within the virtual sphere, A Healthier You leverages the accessibility and flexibility of online platforms to reach a diverse, global audience. This digital approach, born out of necessity during the pandemic, remains a distinctive element of the business model, ensuring that the benefits of the program can be accessed by anyone with internet connectivity, regardless of their geographic location. The business began by identifying a gap in community health services and evolved to fill that void, providing tailored programs that address the specific needs identified through continuous data collection and analysis. By offering holistic health resources and services, the business has been able to address the growing concerns of these matters.
The innovation of A Healthier You doesn't just stop at program delivery; it's also about empowerment. The business equips individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to improve their health outcomes and make informed choices, fostering autonomy and a proactive mindset. Doing so not only supports individual growth but also has the potential to impact community health positively. The emphasis on data to steer program development ensures that the solutions provided are responsive to the changing needs of the community, making the business a dynamic and forward-thinking contributor to global health and well-being.
The inspiration behind A Healthier You sprang from the personal journey and professional insights of its founder, Ma’Sheka Thomas. She states, "The beginning started off with me... bridging the gap between the community but also between healthcare professionals," highlighting her background as a certified community health worker and her keen observation of the lack of yoga and meditation in community programs.
Ma’Sheka's personal struggles also played a pivotal role in the conception of A Healthier You and her exploration into yoga led to self-healing, noting, "I found the missing gap and I was just like, wait, we talk so much about mental health, but there are other factors that contribute towards it." This reflection on the multifaceted nature of well-being fueled her mission.
The idea transformed into a tangible vision during a 500-hour yoga teacher training, where the thematic question, "What is your legacy?" challenged her to think beyond the present. "It helped me really think like, what do I want to leave behind or what would I want to be known for?" This introspection, coupled with encouragement from her training program, where her holistic wellness project was lauded—"Sheka, you can't stop here; turn this into a nonprofit"—prompted her to establish A Healthier You.
Ma’Sheka's resolve is encapsulated in her philosophy that "we forget more than we remember." She emphasizes the need for reminders "to go to sleep early, to drink water," and to "do the basic things." Her initiative is thus not just an offering of wellness services but a reminder and a resource for those seeking to reclaim and maintain their well-being.
A Healthier You has rapidly evolved from a seedling idea into a flourishing virtual enterprise that transcends geographical boundaries to deliver holistic health services. Initially, the innovation’s short-term effects were reflected in the immediate embrace by the community, with the launch coinciding with the establishment of two partnerships, showcasing preparedness and the urgent need for such services. Thomas highlights the importance of planning and execution, remarking, "One of my greatest strengths is that I know how to execute," which has been instrumental in the rapid deployment and success of the program.
In the longer term, A Healthier You has significantly impacted how individuals approach their holistic well-being. Through the organization's monthly workshops and programs, participants have gained access to a wealth of knowledge and tools to improve various aspects of their health. The success and effectiveness of these programs are evidenced by the increased traction compared to previous years, as Ma’Shika notes, "implementing the monthly workshops has been a success... we received better results than our programs than we have done last year." This is also backed by data collection on program effectiveness, indicating a substantial positive response from the community.
Moreover, the innovation has demonstrated adaptability and sustainability, pivoting to online platforms during the pandemic and continuing to provide services that resonate with the current needs of its audience. The data-driven approach to measure the impact has shown that "the nonprofit is needed," with the organization continually refining its offerings based on community feedback and emerging health trends. The story of A Healthier You is one of a responsive and resilient innovation, leaving an indelible mark on community health and individual well-being.
A Healthier You has achieved significant milestones since its inception in 2020. While specific revenue figures are not mentioned, the organization's impact is evident in its expansive reach and the development of its team. As a result of the business's holistic approach to wellness and commitment to virtual accessibility, A Healthier You has been able to scale its operations without the constraints of a physical location, opening new markets by tapping into the vast potential of online communities. This strategic move has allowed the organization to maintain a low overhead while maximizing its reach.
The nonprofit's growth is also reflected in its team expansion. Ma’Sheka speaks of a volunteer team of ten and an advisory board of seven, illustrating the creation of opportunities for individuals aligned with the organization's mission. This expansion speaks to the organization’s ability to foster a committed team, indicative of a positive impact on employee and volunteer well-being and retention. Ma’Shika discussed how building connections with her volunteer team was just as important as with everyone else who worked and helped in the organization. The advisory board, meeting quarterly, provides strategic guidance, ensuring that the nonprofit remains on a trajectory of growth and innovation.
By focusing on virtual services, A Healthier You has also created new investment opportunities in the wellness sector, emphasizing the sustainability and scalability of online health programs. The success of its workshops and events, like "The Ultimate Self-Care Sunday," which garnered media attention and high participation rates, showcases the organization's ability to create compelling, community-driven wellness events. These successes pave the way for A Healthier You to continue expanding its offerings, potentially exploring new services and products in the realm of holistic health and wellness.
A Healthier You was conceived during a transformative period of global health concerns. It is headquartered in the virtual space, making its services accessible to a global audience. The organization emerged from the recognition of a gap in holistic health services and leverages the power of virtual platforms to deliver yoga, meditation, and life coaching to those seeking a more balanced lifestyle.
The inception of A Healthier You was a direct response to the observed needs during Ma’Sheka's time as a certified community health worker, where she recognized the importance of addressing health beyond just the physical aspect. The timing was critical, as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic created an urgent need for accessible, virtual health services. Ma’Sheka, utilizing her skills as a yoga instructor and life coach, saw the opportunity to create a program that could serve the broader determinants of health, including mental and social well-being.
By operating entirely online, A Healthier You overcomes geographical barriers, allowing individuals from various backgrounds to participate in its programs. This innovative approach not only expanded the reach of the organization but also established it as a pioneer in virtual wellness services. By offering a suite of holistic services, the nonprofit successfully integrates various aspects of wellness into a unified program, aligning with and contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on good health and well-being. Through its comprehensive approach, A Healthier You exemplifies how innovation in the health sector can foster a more inclusive and accessible path to wellness.
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