Purpose Before Profit: Rashida Sheffield of Reiki Recharge On The Benefits Of Running A Purpose-Driven Business
An Interview With Chad Silverstein
Put Community First — When you prioritize serving your community, you create a safe space where you become a trusted authority figure. Building this trust shows that you care about your “home” and are committed to nurturing your immediate community before focusing on expansion. A strong foundation within your community establishes credibility and fosters loyalty.
In today’s competitive business landscape, the race for profits often takes center stage. However, there are some leaders who also prioritize a mission-driven purpose. They use their business to make a positive social impact and recognize that success isn’t only about making money. In this interview series, we are talking with some of these distinct leaders and I had the pleasure of interviewing Rashida Sheffield.
Rashida Sheffield is the founder of Reiki Recharge, a holistic wellness practice focused on helping individuals heal emotionally and spiritually. Inspired by her own journey of transforming grief into peace after losing her father, she combines expertise in Reiki, yoga, sound healing, life coaching, breathwork, and meditation to offer personalized healing sessions. Rashida is dedicated to making healing accessible, empowering her clients to release emotional blocks and embrace a vibrant, empowered lives.
Her journey into Reiki and sound healing began over six years ago after the heartbreaking loss of her father to suicide. Struggling with grief and questioning her mental well-being, Rashida sought a natural, holistic path to healing. Through self-forgiveness and a deep dive into holistic practices, she transformed her energy from grief to peace.
As an expert in Reiki, yoga, sound healing, life coaching, breathwork, and meditation, Rashida combines traditional healing methods with modern techniques to offer personalized, intuitive healing sessions. Each session is tailored to meet the unique needs of her clients, empowering them to heal at their own pace.
Rashida believes that healing should be accessible to everyone. Her mission is to help individuals release emotional blocks and reclaim their most vibrant, empowered lives.
Find out more at www.reikirecharge.com
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I am unique in my own way. Growing up as a military brat, my family frequently moved, often in the middle of the school year when my father received his new orders. I have lived overseas in Germany and mostly on the East Coast of the U.S. Being surrounded by a diverse group of people always felt like home to me. Those experiences taught me how to adapt quickly and build connections.
When my father retired from the Army in Georgia, his passing marked a tumultuous time in my life. Seeking healing and answers, I turned to holistic healing practices. As a child, I was always drawn to metaphysical subjects like astrology, but I have never heard of Reiki or Sound Healing until after my father’s passing. His loss became the catalyst for my journey into holistic healing.
Interestingly, my grandfather was a farmer, so I have always known about the earth’s power to heal the body. However, discovering Reiki and Sound Healing opened my eyes to new dimensions of healing energy. Today, I am passionate about sharing these transformative practices with the world, helping others find peace and restoration in their own journeys.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
One of the most impactful experiences, since starting Reiki Recharge, was when I was working with someone who was grieving deeply after losing multiple family members. By the age of 23, he had lost both parents and in the last two years he had lost his brother and sister. He had never tried holistic healing before. During our Reiki and sound healing session, he was able to fully relax and rest. Afterward, he shared that he felt the presence of his family, who brought him comforting and loving memories. Since that session, he became a regular client.
We often learn the most from our mistakes. Can you share one that you made that turned out to be one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned?
Life is one of the greatest teachers, and one of the most valuable lessons. After my father passed away, I turned to Reiki as part of my healing journey and fell in love with its transformative power. I became a Reiki Master and felt deeply inspired to share this practice with others. Despite my passion, I didn’t follow through at the time.
It was not until six years later; I finally opened my business. Looking back, I realize I allowed self-doubt to hold me back when I should have trusted in my vision and pushed forward. While I could view this as a mistake, I see it instead as a life lesson: start today and trust that the Universe will provide what you need. Every moment of hesitation is a missed opportunity to make an impact, and that is a lesson I will carry with me always.
As a successful leader, it’s clear that you uphold strong core values. I’m curious what are the most important principles you firmly stand by and refuse to compromise on. Can you share a few of them and explain why they hold such significance for you in your work and life?
I live by three core principles: the Golden Rule, helping those in need, and never give up. The Golden Rule reminds me to treat others the way I want to be treated — with love and kindness. By helping those who are less fortunate, I create a space for abundance to flow back to me and the person receiving the help. My father instilled in me the importance of perseverance. He taught me to never give up and if something does not work out, to keep trying until I succeed. These values have shaped my life and continue to guide me every day.
What inspired you to start a purpose-driven business rather than a traditional for-profit enterprise? Can you share a personal story or experience that led you to prioritize social impact in your business?
The inspiration to start a purpose-driven business stemmed from my personal journey through grief. After my father tragically took his own life, l experienced profound and overwhelming sorrow. The holistic modalities helped me relax, shift my energy, and provide me with the guidance that needed to navigate my grief.
That experience motivated me to create Reiki Recharge with a focus on supporting individuals who are grieving. I envision a business where healing is accessible to everyone. A traditional for-profit enterprise did not align with my mission, as my priority is to offer compassionate care and empower others on their healing journeys. By prioritizing social impact, I am able to create a safe space for people to find peace and bring their own transformations, just as I did.
Can you help articulate a few of the benefits of leading a purpose-driven business rather than a standard “plain vanilla” business?
Everyone seeks fulfillment in multiple areas in their life — whether it is in love, career, community, or health — to live a joyful life. For me, a purpose-driven holistic business fulfills all of these. I am doing work that I love while uplifting the communities. When I provide my services, I am not just healing my clients but also myself in the process. Unlike a standard revenue-driven business, a purpose-driven business focuses on delivering value to both the customer and myself.
How has your company’s mission or purpose affected its overall success? Can you explain the methods or metrics you use to evaluate the impact of this purpose-driven strategy on your organization?
At Reiki Recharge, we specialize in guiding individuals on their healing journey through symptoms of grief, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I measure success by the number of new students that I train in Reiki and sound healing.
Can you share a pivotal moment when you realized that leading your purpose-driven company was actually making a significant impact? Can you share a specific example or story that deeply resonated with you personally?
Everything is energy, and we share that energy with everyone who we encounter. My journey to leading a purpose-driven company stems from the grief that I have experienced. Grief is a subject that society does not speak of, so I wanted to offer a heart-centered connection with others.
A moment that deeply resonated with me was when I provided Reiki to a family member who works as mechanic. He had never experienced yoga, sound healing, or any form of holistic practice before. When he came to me, he was stressed and was struggling to relax.
After our session, something remarkable happened. He felt a sense of calm and relaxation that he had not known was possible. He even discovered how sound healing could help him unwind before bed. His transformation was profound — he not only embraced the practice but became an advocate for it Now, he talks about his experience to his friends like he is talking about football — passionately and enthusiastically. His friends were inspired by his story and are now exploring holistic healing for themselves. It is rewarding to witness someone’s journey from skepticism to embracing the power of holistic healing.
Have you ever faced a situation where your commitment to your purpose and creating a positive social impact clashed with the profitability in your business? Have you ever been challenged by anyone on your team or have to make a tough decision that had a significant impact on finances? If so, how did you address and reconcile this conflict?
I offer holistic healing and wellness services, which sometime challenge people’s personal or religious beliefs. I am a certified holistic trauma-informed coach and yoga instructor. I am deeply aware of the triggers that certain elements: such as music, sound, smells, names, movements, or physical touch may cause in a person. To create an inclusive and safe environment, I focus on meeting my customers where they are most comfortable by adjusting my approach as needed to respect their boundaries and beliefs.
So far, I have not faced a situation where I had to make a tough financial decision or encountered conflict with our purpose or profitability. My guiding principle is to prioritize the customer’s experience and well-being over my personal beliefs. I believe that every business must remain mindful of diversity and inclusion. By focusing on connection and creating a welcoming space, I not only honor my purpose but also build trust, which naturally contributes to long-tern success.
What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs who wish to start a purpose-driven business?
Do not wait, take the first step now. A purpose-driven business is deeply rewarding because it allows you to make a meaningful impact on the world while doing something you love. The journey will not be easy but trust your vision, remain authentic and know that your unique purpose has power to inspire others. Do not let the imposter syndrome stop you. You owe it to yourself to honor your passion.
What are your “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Purpose-Driven Business.” If you can, please share a story or example for each.
1. Put Community First
When you prioritize serving your community, you create a safe space where you become a trusted authority figure. Building this trust shows that you care about your “home” and are committed to nurturing your immediate community before focusing on expansion. A strong foundation within your community establishes credibility and fosters loyalty.
2. Address the Customer’s Needs First
Understanding and addressing your customers’ needs should always come first. For many, articulating their needs can be challenging. By asking thoughtful, probing questions and paying attention to non-verbal cues, you can ensure that your services provide maximum benefit. This approach not only makes you a more impactful provider but also demonstrates genuine care, showing customers that their well-being is your priority.
3. Embrace Diversity & Inclusion
Our world is beautifully diverse, and creating an environment where everyone feels included is essential. If you want your services to be truly accessible to all, it is vital to embrace and reflect diversity and inclusion. Doing so fosters a healthy, welcoming space that resonates with a broad audience.
4. Keep it Simple but Fun
Avoid overcomplicating your communication with customers. Ensure that your messages are clear, concise and easy to understand. And add an element of humor and fun to make your message memorable and engaging. Simplicity combined with playfulness leaves a lasting impression.
5. Be Consistent
Consistency builds trust. It shows your customers that you are dependable and committed to serving them long-term. While businesses may come and go, consistency reassures customers that you are here to stay, ready to support them at every step.
I’m interested in how you instill a strong sense of connection with your team. How do you nurture a culture where everyone feels connected to your mission? Could you share an example or story that showcases how your purpose has positively influenced or motivated people on your team to contribute?
A heart connection is an incredibly strong bond. People often feel fulfilled when they contribute to the well-being of others. Currently, my team consists of third-party vendors who share the same mission: giving back to the community. Together, we collaborate to network and host events that support children, the elderly, and those who have experienced sudden loss. One vendor was so impacted by her Reiki session now we co-host a monthly Reiki Share at her chiropractic practice.
Imagine we’re sitting down together two years from now, looking back at your company’s last 24 months. What specific accomplishments would have to happen for you to be happy with your progress?
In 24 months, I envision myself as a renowned International Author, hosting retreats and delivering impactful speaking engagements while continuing to transform lives.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could inspire a movement, it would be the Be Kind Movement, encouraging people to show grace and extend prayers to everyone — not just for healing but as a gesture of compassion and support. We never truly know the struggles others are facing. In this world, so many are going through challenges far greater than we can imagine, and simple acts of kindness can make a profound difference. Small, thoughtful gestures can provide comfort and hop in the darkest moments Lets strive to lead with kindness — it has the power to change lives.
How can our readers further follow your work or your company online?
You can follow me on Instagram at ReikiRecharge1 or go to my website at www.reikirecharge.com .
This was great. Thanks for taking time for us to learn more about you and your business. We wish you continued success!
About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein is a seasoned entrepreneur and Thought Leader with over 25 years of business experience. He has founded, operated, and exited multiple companies and now builds into a handful of high impact CEOs. Chad has launched multiple online communities, including a recent leadership development platform, and also serves as a strategic advisor for Authority Magazine’s thought-leader incubator program.
To learn more and connect with Chad visit: chadsilverstein.io
Purpose Before Profit: Rashida Sheffield of Reiki Recharge On The Benefits Of Running A… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.