The SHINE Series features individuals who I meet on my travels or through my network who inspires me through their mindset, actions and/ or heart to flourish.
When I decided to return to the corporate world after working in the non-profit sector, I joined a boutique training & consultancy company. That’s when I met Joanna who was the lead liaison for a major client project. She treated us with respect as partners rather than a vendor and co-created with us to ensure achievement of outcomes. It was such a refreshing joy working alongside her. She was such a progressive and fabulous client that she became the benchmark of the type of clients I would like to work with. We reconnected recently and it gives me great pleasure to showcase her for this feature.
Joanna Maneckji – Founder of Sunny Acres, Singapore
As a dream catalyst, I resonate lots with Joanna’s favourite quote by David Whyte “What you can plan is too small for you to live.” The quote says to her, do not be afraid to dream, follow your heart, visualise and manifest what you want, do not think small, and “everything is waiting for you” (also David Whyte).
After leaving the corporate space, Joanna founded Sunny Acres, a consultancy that marries learning design & development, wellness and art. Here’s her story.
What inspired you to start your journey to be an entrepreneur?
The journey began as a break from full time employment following a few years of different kinds of stress like long working hours, multiple reorganisations at work, back pain, and taking care of an ailing parent (often remotely). The first step was realising I needed a break and I could afford to take a break. I was inspired by the belief that I had to take care of myself in order to live healthily and happily for the next stage of my life. I had the belief I would find work eventually, be it in another company or working for myself.
What challenges, if any, did you find at the beginning of your journey and how did you overcome them?
There was a lot of uncertainty at the beginning and I had to learn to let go of knowing all the answers. It showed up in keeping busy at first and not fully enjoying my break. There was an underlying feeling of anxiety as I wasn’t used to the absence of a work schedule to plan my life. Meditation, walking, journaling, somatic movement therapy, energy healing, making art and spending time with my mother just being helped me to unwind. On a practical level, when I made the decision to start my own business, the challenge was to figure out what I would do to get started. I overcame this by connecting with many friends, new acquaintances, and old colleagues and listening to their advice as I explained what I could offer as my products and services. I was also comfortable starting with small steps and building slowly; this helped to prevent myself feeling overwhelmed with possibilities and worry.
How did you get the idea for your business and why did you think it would work?
Right from the moment I decided to quit my fulltime job, I knew my business had to be founded on my unique strengths and gifts. After a 25 year career in Learning & Development I felt confident that I could help organisations with their L&D strategy, learning design, and facilitation of programmes. I felt confident that my past experience, the trust I created with my stakeholders, and successes would hold me in good stead. In the six months before I registered my business, I brainstormed all the areas in which I could offer services and started small projects to ensure I was staying current and building skills. I took courses that would give me knowledge and skills in areas I perceived myself to not yet be an expert. I registered a company called Sunny Acres in July 2022 that would marry my deep interest and expertise in learning design, people development and art. Through this business I mainly occupy myself in providing learning advisory services, facilitating leadership programmes, coaching and teaching the artform of collage. I am in the process of publishing the second edition of a children’s book I wrote and illustrated and am about to start on a second’s children’s book inspired by my mother’s dementia.
What daily habits do you use to help you succeed?
My first “rule” is to have a good night’s rest. With 8 hours of good quality sleep, I am energetic and prepared for the ups and downs that are a part of life. I have been working on inserting regular walking and meditation into my work week as I know these to be highly effective in keeping my body and soul well. Another daily habit I have is to ensure that the space in which I work is tidy, stimulating and energetically positive…there is plenty of light, the windows let in fresh air, I have an aromatherapy diffuser nearby along with some plants or flowers to bring me a feeling of calm. A recent habit to prevent me from being overwhelmed and unfocused is to ask myself if the activity is “essential”.
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?
I would have liked to keep up with my reflective practice and carve out more structured time for myself to read, walk and meditate. It would have been nice to have more of a plan or a business strategy but perhaps now, a year into it, is a better time! I have more experience and a better sense of the direction I want to go in. I used to struggle with integrating my different interests into my business, as if a cohesive whole, but realise now that if they integrate or not doesn’t matter; they are an integrated part of me and each will get time and space to grow even if different and disconnected from each other.
How did you persevere through the tough times?
I reminded myself I could always go back to full time work and to trust that everything will work out one way or another. I know that failure is part of the journey so I try not to dwell on setbacks for too long.
What would you like to achieve next?
I would like to continue my journey of self-discovery, help others who are on a similar path of entrepreneurship, and grow the part of my business that is dedicated to making people and teams more effective through practicing the art of collage, or what I call “Creative Contemplation”.
What may be one or two memorable experiences you’ve had while running your business?
Making a number of new friends through courses I was taking or new places I was working. Experiencing the generosity of friends new and old in supporting me with their time, referrals or work.
What is a typical work day like for you?
I’m at my desk at home with a coffee by 9am and my calendar will already tell me what I am supposed to be doing today because I have roughly planned my week based on my immediate priorities. I adjust the plan daily. I try not to multi-task as I find it prevents me from being focused and creative. My productivity also drops and I achieve less when I multi-task. Through the day I may have a few calls. I use my breaks to do a few household chores or eat. I try as much as possible to only leave the house once or twice a week and then I try to cluster appointments together on those days. I finish between 5-6pm and most evenings will go for a walk.
What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
I work independently and can be as creative as I want to be. I am fully focused on the services I provide my clients, I manage the quality of what I do, and I am unencumbered by organisational dysfunctions. I am the master of my time most of the time.