Helen Clark - Meditation Teacher & Mindfulness Coach
Meet Helen, a Meditation Teacher & Mindfulness Coach based in Killinchy, Northern Ireland.
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Helen, a Meditation Teacher and Mindfulness Coach based in Killinchy, Northern Ireland. She welcomed me into her home where she holds her group and one to one meditation classes. I spent the morning with Helen taking some portraits and chatting about what she does and why.
I must admit that my knowledge of meditation was very small so I was really interested in learning more about her skills and how she helps others.
After our shoot I asked Helen a few questions about her work and what inspired her to start her business. Read more below.
Hello Helen, Can you start by telling me a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a Meditation Teacher?
I’m a Chopra Certified Meditation Teacher, based in Balloo, Killinchy Co Down, and a former Senior Civil Servant who worked in London specialising in behaviour change communications (campaigns like drink drive).
I’m passionate about helping people to integrate a self-care practice into their day to support their lifestyle, starting with, but not limited to mindfulness and meditation, while also helping them to manage stress.
I also teach Primordial Sound Meditation (PSM) which is a healing practice that allows us to experience inner calm and deep relaxation, which benefits our emotional and physical health.
Like everyone I’m dealing with stress every day, and it comes in all shapes and sizes -some stress can be good, but a lot of stress is bad for you, your health and those around you.
I spend as much time outdoors as I can for the sheer love of it and because I find connecting with nature so powerful and healing. I take inspiration from nature and the seasons and it’s one of the reasons we moved to Balloo - we’re surrounded by the countryside on the banks of the River Blackwater, and it’s teeming with wildlife from badgers to woodpeckers. It’s also just a few minutes away from Strangford Lough and all with an easy 25 minute drive to Belfast.
The benefits of meditating became even more apparent to me last year when I had major surgery. Apart from medical appointments I was largely housebound for several months and had to learn to walk again. My world suddenly became very ‘narrow’ and being able to meditate really helped me navigate all the ups and downs of my rehab.
For someone new attending one of your classes what would you tell them to expect?
While meditation is very easy when you’re taught how to do it, everyone is unique which is why I offer a range of sessions.
You can dip your toes in with a guided meditation where I coach people through the session so they get the best of out their practice regardless of their level of experience (group on a Monday evening or 1-2-1s) or you can dive right in and learn to meditate through a four class programme.
I also deliver guided meditations to businesses and the corporate world.
Was there something that inspired or encouraged you to become a Meditation Teacher?
When I first moved back to NI six years ago, I was still weekly commuting to London, but I began to make more time to develop a self-care practice that worked for me. It started with sea swimming and then a friend suggested that I try meditation. Anyone who knew me then would have though this was hilarious as I was full of energy and ideas and the idea of sitting quietly didn’t seem like a good fit for me!
However, a 21 day meditation challenge popped up on my social feed with Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey. I gave it a go and was hooked. I loved the sense of peace, the time for self-reflection and the opportunity to develop greater self-awareness, so I continued beyond the 21 day challenge, simply meditating every morning for 10 minutes, instead of hitting the snooze button and my daily meditation practice built from that. The benefits of meditation to release stress, improve sleep, increase focus and creativity etc are well documented and I wish I’d started practicing it regularly much earlier in my life so I want to share meditation, mindfulness and all the benefits.
A lot of people worry that they won’t be able to meditate and ‘quieten their mind’ but like anything it can take a bit of practice, and it becomes easier if you’re taught correctly.
I’ve found meditation hugely beneficial, and it really is ‘doing less to gain more’ and that’s why I worked towards a professional qualification to make sure I had much more knowledge and insight to share with others.
Is there a particular part of your job that you love the most?
The feedback so far has been humbling and it’s lovely to see people go on their own journey and enjoy the benefits of meditation. I love the whole process of sharing meditation from research and writing (I started out as a journalist) through to coaching and teaching.
Do you have a certain clientele or are your classes open to everyone?
Meditation is open to everyone.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in becoming a Meditation Teacher?
Follow your heart and do your research to find the best teachers you can. I’d been meditating for a few years before I started my teacher training. My training took a year and was very thorough with inspirational teachers including Deepak Chopra, Devi Brown and Roger Gabriel. It culminated in assessments through teacher practice with a variety of students, an exam and three presentations. I’m now part of the Chopra global alumni which means I continue to learn and can access guidance from the teacher support team.
What hopes and goals do you would you like to achieve for your business in the year ahead?
I hope to share meditation with more people and I’ll also be offering Mini Mindfulness sessions to children aged 4 to 11 from early next year to provide them with some tools to help navigate their day and set them up for success. (It’s a requirement that a parent or guardian also attends each session to watch or join in so they can support their child at home).
Thank you to Helen for taking the time to answer a few questions about her business. If you are interested in speaking to Helen or in taking one of her classes get in touch here via her Instagram.
Só Soy - Hand Poured Home Fragrance
Get to know a little bit more about Hannah from Só Soy in my new Local Natives blog feature…
I first met Hannah (through Instagram) in 2017 shortly after launching Native Ivy, and have had the privilege of capturing some of her candles and diffusers over the last few years.
It was lovely to be invited to her studio in Ballymoney to capture her everyday work life, making products and running her shop.
After our shoot I chatted to Hannah about how her candle making journey began.
Read more below...
Hello Hannah, can you tell me a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to start making candles?
Hi! I’m Hannah and I started Só Soy in October 2016, so my ‘baby’ is almost 6 years old. I’d always had a love for home fragrance and one day curiosity got the better of me. I struggled to find a minimal candle that I loved the smell of, so I made my own. I have experience in design and knew I wanted the fragrance to do the talking. After a lot of research and kitchen-pours, Só Soy was born. For the first 5 years of Só Soy I kept it solely online as my ‘side-hustle’ until I finally took the leap to self-employment in January 2021. Mid pandemic I left my full time job and opened my own studio in Ballymoney, opening my in-store shop shortly after.
Can you tell me a little bit about your making process and what is involved?
Everything is hand poured by me in my Ballymoney based studio in small batches. Every product starts off raw and is designed, created, and packaged in house by my one-woman-team (just me!). I work with UK based perfumers to select the perfect fragrances for my products. I’ll always consult family and friends and ask them for fragrance reviews, but by that stage I’ve usually already made my mind up!
What does a typical workday look like for you?
To be perfectly honest most days look the same! I’ll usually pack online orders and stockist orders in the morning and make stock in the afternoon. Wax melts are great for multitasking as they’re usually quick to melt and quick to pour, so you’ll normally find me doing those alongside other products. They’re also nearly impossible to keep in stock!
On Saturdays I’ll open the shop from 11-3 and continue to pack and pour behind the curtain between visitors.
In the evenings I’ll normally take my work home with me - and by that I mean updating socials, checking emails, and answering blog questions until late. It can be really hard for me to switch off sometimes, especially if I know there’s things that need doing.
Can you describe your brand in three words?
Hand-crafted
Uncomplicated
Calm
Do you have a product that is most popular with customers?
The most popular product is my Black Coffee, Jasmine + Vanilla Candle (or anything in this fragrance really). It’s always one I’ll have to double-up on when I’m making. It’s so popular and so well loved, I’ll always steer people towards it for gifting if they’re unsure of what to choose. You really do need to smell it to experience it.
What do you think makes it so popular?
I think it’s the perfect fragrance in terms of notes - it’s got subtle hints of coffee, is quite floral, a little sweet but just enough that it’s still sophisticated.
Do you have a favourite product?
At the minute I’ve been grabbing for my Lavender + Tonka Bean Wax Melt - it’s the most relaxing fragrance (maybe this says something about my current stress levels!)
I’ll always have a soft spot though for my Lemongrass, Lime + Ginger Root Candle. It was my first born fragrance so feels a little nostalgic for me.
Do you have anything new or exciting coming up for Só Soy?
I do! I have a new Autumn/Winter fragrance that I’m hoping to release early September across the all products. It’s so cosy and homely, I can’t wait for everyone to smell it. I’m also taking part in the Tedberry Market in Antrim on 20th August, it’s always exciting for me to go out, meet new people and introduce them to Só Soy.
What advice would you give people wanting to do something similar?
Research until the cows come home. My industry is really trial and error - it takes such a long time to really perfect your ratios and temperatures etc. and there are a lot of safety laws and legislations required. I’m lucky I’m in the swing of things now and can work quickly and confidently but there’s lots of helpful information online for those just starting - I’m completely self taught.
I also think you need to have the passion before you start - I LOVE my products and I genuinely love getting up for work every day. You need to ask yourself are you starting a business for the right reasons.
Where can people buy your products?
You can shop in store each Saturday 11am-3pm or book online for a weekday visit. Find me at Unit 17 Phase 1, 2 Riada Avenue, Ballymoney Co. Antrim BT53 7LH
Thanks to Hannah for taking the time out of her busy week to answer some questions about her business and how her Só Soy journey all began.
You can shop online at sosoy.co.uk for home delivery or free click + collect in store.
Follow Só Soy on Instagram
Read my last Local Natives feature with Ivy & Gold here
Ivy & Gold
My latest Local Natives blog featuring Ivy & Gold, a local handmade jewellery business based in Broughshane.
Ivy & Gold is a local jewellery business based in Broughshane. Erinn, the face behind the business started making bracelets just before the pandemic hit. In the two years since, she has grown Ivy & Gold into a thriving business with over 24k followers on Instagram and a feature in Heat Magazine.
After capturing Erinn at her shop in Broughshane, I was able to ask a few questions about her business and how her Bracelet making journey all began.
Hi Erinn, tell me a little bit about yourself and your journey to starting Ivy & Gold.
I was on maternity leave from my job as a journalist at the BBC when I first spotted these lovely personalised bracelets on Instagram. I couldn’t find any UK or European sellers so I decided to make them for myself.
Before long my friends and family were asking me to make bracelets for them too. This was in February 2020, just before the pandemic.
When the first lockdown came along I was really afraid. My baby daughter was just five months old and had received a cystic fibrosis diagnosis shortly after her birth.
Because she was clinically vulnerable we were told to shield.
I was extremely fearful of what would happen if she were to come into contact with Covid and my anxiety about her condition sky rocketed.
I turned to Ivy & Gold, making bracelets and running the Instagram page as a way to cope and something to focus on that wasn’t terrifying.
I used the time in lockdown while my baby was sleeping to grow the business into a full-time job.
So when it came time to go back to work at the BBC I had the choice to stay at home and keep her safe, do her daily treatments and be there 24/7 for her, which was what I was used to by then.
I took the chance on my business and haven’t looked back since.
What are the joys and challenges of being an independent maker?
The joy for me is really the flexibility that it gives me in my life. I have the freedom to work around my daughter and to enjoy as much time with her as possible as well as being there for her as a medical mama in a way I don’t think would have been possible with a ‘proper’ job.
The challenge I suppose is just managing a business when I really had no business experience. It’s been such a steep learning curve for me and things have taken off at a rate I never could have imagined.
I now have four employees who work in the business with me and I have to manage large quantity ordering of supplies, cash flow, staff holidays and sickness, a shop etc.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
So I come into the office after dropping ivy off to her granny’s house at 9.30 in the morning, turn on the lights and make sure everything is sitting nicely in the shop should anyone pop in.
I then open all the post which can include new stock, bills and bracelets which are sent in for repair, before looking at our emails and answering them (usually about 20 each morning when I log on).
After that part of the admin I would print off the labels for any ready to ship items and get those posted out.
I would then look to see if there were any priority orders or problems I had to deal with and make and ship any bracelets that needed to be done that day.
Then it would be on to some planning task - at the minute it is planning for the Ted Berry market and our Christmas photoshoot.
I would serve any customers that came into the shop, helping them to decide on how to add to or start their bracelet stack.
I close the shop and head home at 5pm.
Can you tell us a little bit about the process used to create your products?
I knew I wanted our bracelets to be made with the best possible quality beads. I am a gold jewellery wearer and I had been burned so many times buying gold plated or gold vermeil jewellery which tarnished with wear and eventually just had to go in the bin.
I favoured ‘real’ gold jewellery but obviously couldn’t afford much of it.
When I discovered gold filled beads I was so excited - they wear just like gold and are more expensive and better quality than most jewellery on the fashion market.
I did a lot of research into both gold filled and sterling silver jewellery and settled on using the beads for our bracelets.
I then had to watch hours of youtube videos and try a lot of different stringing materials and knots to make sure our bracelets would last (as stretch bracelets notoriously do not).
Do you have a most popular product? If so why do you think that is?
YES! Our personalised bracelets are our best-selling products and it’s because of the meaning that we can all attach to a piece that is fully customised by us. Wearing what matters to us on our wrist.
I think so much of what Ivy & Gold is about is that connection between family, friends and other special relationships.
Because I created the brand out of love for my daughter and everyone knows the story.
Do you have a favourite product?
I think the plain gold filled 3mm bracelet is my favourite - really for the same reason as I’ve explained above. It’s a really great quality and simple bracelet which wears like solid gold at an excellent price (£37).
If you were to share any encouraging words to others looking to start a creative business what would you say?
Believe in yourself!
It sounds so simple, but you do have to believe in yourself to take the chances / risks required to have success.
I was scared to hire people, to move into a space outside my house, to sign up to markets and to invest in growing the business, but I had to do all those things to get to where we are now.
Bancran School
My latest Local Natives blog featuring the beautiful Bancran School. A great family in Moneyneena hosting three luxury Air Bnb’s.
Last a week I had the luxury of staying in The Black Shack at the beautiful Bancran School.
Bancran School is located about 5 minutes from Draperstown in Moneyneena, N.I.
Owned and run by Chris and Aileen, Bancran School was originally an old school house that they have transformed into their family home. Situated in the back garden are three luxury Airbnbs. The Pod, The Loft and the delightful Tiny House that is The Black Shack.
I had such an amazing time capturing these Airbnbs and experiencing a night stay in The Black Shack. I couldn’t recommend it enough, it is a beautifully styled house and everything about our stay was incredibly relaxing. From the moment we arrived, greeted by Chris to the moment we left. I am already trying plan my next stay.
After my sweet little stay I was able to ask Chris & Aileen a little bit more about how Bancran School all started…
Tell us a little bit about yourselves and how you came to being Airbnb owners?
We are Chris & Aileen, we live in Bancran School with our two children Bella & Ollie and our furry friend Noodles. The National school building was built in 1876. It was derelict for 30 odd years when we bought it back in 2009 and we have been working to transform it into a family home since.
During our University and early working years we loved to travel. We had always talked about taking a year out but with one thing or another it never happened. So instead we saved hard and booked to go away for three or four weeks each year.
Our last big trip was about 7 years ago around Arizona, Utah and its National Parks. It was April and the plan was to camp and hike. We set up camp in Flagstaff, that night there was a freak snowstorm! -8c in a tent and a few expletives later we decided to check out Airbnb, we had read an article a few weeks earlier about this new website and thought it sounded interesting.
We booked into an amazing Mining Camp house in the middle of the woods in Flagstaff. Jeff and Kari Maurer owned the home. We absolutely loved the house and the family made us feel so welcome. The next morning we left for the Grand Canyon having fell in love with our first Airbnb experience. When we returned home we decided to complete the two downstairs bedrooms & our Airbnb hosting journey was born.
Did you know you would always have three Airbnbs? Which one came first?
After spending just over a year hosting people from all over the world in our home we were expecting our first born, Bella.
Babies need space and we decided we would get the back of the house into a bit of shape and planned for a Glamping Pod to continue our hosting experience. We plonked The Pod in the back corner of the garden and rented it for a couple of years while we tried to get the rest of the yard into shape. When we look back at the early days with The Pod we cringe a bit as the rest of the garden and yard resembled a building site but we kept it cheap and made the inside as comfortable as we could and people continued to come. We are very grateful for those early guests and would love to have them back for them to see the progress we have made since.
The double garage was built in such a way that we could put a private loft apartment up top. We completed The Loft during 2017. Having two Airbnb units we wanted a place for guests to be able to interact so we set about creating an outdoor decking space with shelter where guests could mix, have a drink, grill on the BBQ or just watch a bit of sport. The Gin Tin was built in 2018.
The old school had a toilet block outside for the pupils. When we were renovating a digger tried to remove the concrete foundations but they were too deep. Up until February 2019 it was sitting visible in the middle of the garden, it even housed a few chickens at a time! The initial plan was to put shipping containers on top of the foundations but it was working out to be very expensive and impractical due to the nature of the site. We settled for a Black Siberian Larch clad Tiny House. The Black Shack was finished in July 2019 and we had our first guests that August.
The style of each accommodation is amazing! Did you take inspiration from other places you had stayed or seen when designing them?
The Pod came really well made and we wanted to keep the glamping feel. We recently installed a new fixed bed, which has made a real difference to the space and our guest’s comfort. We’ve added a couple of comfy chairs and tried to utilise every inch of space in the small kitchen area to make it as practical as possible. The Pod got a new metal top hat in the summer to keep the top boards safe and it ties in well with the Gin Tin now.
We both wanted to give the Loft a simple Scandinavian theme, comfortable and clean lined minimalism. We went with Oak Herringbone floors and got a local craftsman to do polished concrete terrazzo kitchen worktops and the bathroom floor. Subway tiles were always going to feature in the bathroom space. We were delighted to find a grey matte kitchen that we agreed on and crammed as many appliances in as we could so guests can whip up a storm or cater for small children.
The Black Shack was built on a very tight budget so we agreed to be creative with what we had laying around. We are absolutely thrilled with it has turned out and we are very grateful to friends and family who donated materials left over from their own projects. A lot of thought went into the structure and design of the Black Shack and we are lucky to have found local craftsman Martin Maguire (Garden Rooms Ireland) who has been working with us for most of the journey.
For someone planning to stay at Bancran for the weekend do you have any recommendations of where to visit close by?
The Sperrins are jammed pack with things to do while staying at Bancran School. From hill walking to exploring one of the many local forest parks, mountain biking in Davagh, jogging around Lough Fea, visiting an outdoor play park or just taking a stroll around local towns - Draperstown, Magherafelt, Maghera and Cookstown are all just a short drive away.
We have some excellent restaurants and coffee shops on our doorstep: Apparo, Aroma and Silky’s are some of our favourites.
Once you’ve been fed there are plenty of watering holes - Regan’s Market Inn and The Shepherds Rest are worth checking out.
If you are just feeling lazy we have plenty to do on site to spend a day relaxing without having to leave. The hot tub at night while sipping a drink and watching the stars is top of the list!
We are very lucky and proud to live in an area with so much natural beauty.
What are your top tips for someone wanting to create their own Airbnb?
It is really fun but it involves a lot of hard work. We are a small family set up and we are both busy with our own jobs so we have to rely on help from our family and friends at times. It is impossible to consider doing what we do without that support and we are really grateful for it.
However, if it’s something you think you would enjoy just go for it! It is rewarding and getting feedback from our guests makes all the hard work worthwhile! Plus our kids have a ball meeting and greeting people from all over the world.
Do you have any future plans for your Airbnbs or plans to have more?
We have a few things we would like to finish on the site, things happen slowly here and it has worked for us to this point so we will get there eventually.
At the end of 2019 we bought an old school bus. The plan is to convert it into a motorhome that will accommodate Noodles and the 4 of us on our adventures. Things are progressing slowly with it at the minute but we are all very excited to see how it turns out (if we ever get it finished!!).
Click here to book your stay at Bancran School.