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

Hi Elle, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

After working numerous jobs that I didn’t particularly feel invested in, I knew my happiness would come from starting a business doing what I loved, which is helping people live better lives and have better relationships with themselves and the people they care about. Once I completed University and some Grad school work, I knew l wanted the freedom and flexibility to create my own schedule and unique business that changed and grew as I did. I wanted full creative freedom in what I was building and be the one to decide how I spent my time and where I focused my energy on any given day. I didn’t want to have to answer to anyone, except for the people that I serve.


Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My business is unique to me as it is the essence of my being materialized into a tangible form. My self-expression of what speaks to me and draws from my personal history of the life I have lived up until this moment. As I delve deeper into areas of interest that spark my intrigue and discover more about who I am and who I am becoming, it becomes integrated into all that I do.

I love learning about relationships and communication, self-love, spirituality, and creativity. I’m always reflecting on how I can improve the ways I communicate and handle situations. What questions to ask myself and how many different perspectives I can take to tease out what is true to my spirit. Sharing this wisdom through writing and coaching is how I do that.

I am most excited to witness how my own relating to others transforms over time and the powerful transformations people I work with come to through the dance of communication I have with them as I guide them to a deeper understanding of and connection to their own self and experiences.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Eat: True Foods Kitchen, Olive & Finch, Ultreia, Izikya, Fruition Drink: The Thin Man, Forest Room Five, Honey Elixir
Art/Music: Meow Wolf, Beacon, The Black Box
Outdoors: Painted Mines, Chatfield Reservoir
Shopping: Mile High Thrift

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m grateful for my struggles, for my parents who did their best but missed the mark at times, for all the challenges I’ve had to overcome, for the many authors and musicians whose creations have moved and changed me throughout life in profound ways, for my powerhouse core group of women friends who have always been my biggest supporters (Sammy, Camille, & Lana). My biggest inspirations and mentors are Dr. Brené Brown & Oprah.

Website: www.toelleandback.com

Instagram: to.elle.and.back

Facebook: https://facebook.com/toelleandback

Image Credits
David Cottrell

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