Innovation

In 2015, after founding Soul Artistry, Yolanda began emphasizing wellness as a strong part of her professional life. She introduced practices such as consulting for wellness, group self-care opportunities, and frameworks to help individuals identify burnout. One of her most significant contributions was her implementation of the Wellness Fund at the Stryker Johnston Foundation. There, she advocated for paid wellness and mental health days, and modeled the importance of rest by taking a three-month sabbatical herself.

"There’s no reward for having all of your PTO days left unused," she noted. "We have to learn to celebrate small wins and create a new culture where rest isn’t just okay, it’s embedded into the culture."

Yolanda Lavender, featured in Grand Rapids Magazine, 2018

Inspiration

Yolanda's work is deeply rooted in necessity and personal reflection. She stated, "I started to implement these practices out of necessity. It was the only way I could sustain myself doing this work." Her journey included reframing guilt associated with rest, particularly among Black women, who often feel pressure to stay strong and "Have it all together."

She shared, a lot of her clients ask out of fear,  "If I do take a day off, what is going to happen? But the real question is: If I don’t, what’s going to happen? A heart attack? Burnout? Slowing down should not be a luxury; it’s a priority." Her experience helped her realize that the impact of wellness practices wasn’t just individual; it was affecting the organizations and communities she worked with as well. 

Overall impact

In both the short and long term, Yolanda’s work has had visible and lasting effects on the Kalamazoo community. Her leadership helped push for the implementation of the Wellness Fund, which offers mental health and wellness days to nonprofit leaders, many of whom are Black executive directors. For some, this marked the first time they had ever been offered paid time off specifically for mental wellness.

Her consulting efforts have also helped individuals and teams reframe toxic productivity habits. She’s helped clients recognize the signs of burnout, rethink their boundaries, and create space for rest without guilt. "We have to stop glorifying being busy all the time. Being present and choosing discomfort intentionally is part of the growth," Yolanda explained.

In her successful business, Yolanda has witnessed organizations slowly shifting their cultures, more people are taking sabbaticals, and wellness is being seen not as a privilege but as a standard practice. She has also supported local artist events in the area, which in turn, have built a stronger sense of community amongst BIPOC individuals. 

Business benefit

Through collaborations like the one with the Stryker Johnston Foundation, she has influenced how funds are used and how policies around time off are structured.

Delegating responsibilities and curating events for artists also opened the door for Yolanda to scale her work sustainably. "If you want your business to be successful, you have to be willing to share the load," she said. She encourages entrepreneurs to decide what kind of discomfort they're willing to experience and be intentional about rest, vision, and purpose. This guidance has helped younger professionals avoid burnout and better align their values with professional pursuits.

Social and environmental benefit

Yolanda’s innovation benefits society by fostering a culture of community care and emotional sustainability. She challenges the notion that rest is a reward, framing it instead as a right. Her business serves as a model for how entrepreneurship can be aligned with well-being, equity, and cultural change. 

Her advice to college graduates reflects her mission: "Take a month off after graduation if you can. Reflect. Journal. Travel. Prioritize stillness. When you enter the workforce, go beyond just paying bills and create a well-rounded life. Attend open mics. Move your body. Connect with your environment. That’s where the inspiration and energy come from."

By blending artistry, leadership, and intentional wellness practices, Yolanda Lavender is not only changing how businesses operate, she’s reimagining how we care for ourselves and one another.

Interview

Yolanda Lavendar, CEO of Soul Artistry LLC