If I had a travel transporter device, I would pick it up right now and transport myself to the snowmelty magic of the Kaweah River in Northern California right at the edge of Sequoia National Park. My friend and creative, Leslie Alterman would already be there in the river, she always loves to arrive days early for her solo integration time. Our friend, Jenna Zabrosky would be there, too - because that is what we always have done.
And she and me and her, we would sit on the rocks with our knees knocking or held close to our chest and talk about life. We would dip in every so often and river rot even more often.
Because when you are with Leslie Alterman, the voice behind TAKINGsHaPe, you are deep in the thick of what it means to be alive. She is an artist, a somatic movement practitioner, a mother, a lover and a friend who does not settle for mediocre, you are going to feel it all. To know Leslie is to know the edges and when you make eye contact and in her touch of a southern drawl she says, ‘I see you, girl’, it is a revival.
In four days, I get to move this vessel with Leslie as she is a guest speaker in my UNRAVEL Summer Club (we have been designing community all Summer) and dare I say, they don’t even know what is coming and a pre-you’re welcome from me for how you feel after because it will unravel you … in the best way. (psst my next UNRAVEL cohort starts Sept. 1, all about compass, desire and alignment, details here).
Meet Leslie:
What inspired you to start your business?
There are a few inspirations: I wanted to be an inspiration to my boys. I wanted them to see their Mother as a whole person, that not only am I a Mother and a Wife, but that I also belong to myself and value art and healing and being of service to to others.
How do you define ‘success’?
I have a feeling that I don’t really believe in success and failure.
What’s one decision I made that changed the trajectory of my work?
I’ve made so many decisions that have changed the trajectory of my work. I have zero problem with change. I think it’s really natural and what keeps the work honest. The most recent change was getting certified to teach Somatic Activated Healing. When I was teaching my intuitive art process to other women l, I would notice how difficult it was for them to stay connected to their senses and allow themselves to be messy so that a process could reveal itself to them. This made me very interested and curious about how to get people into their bodies and trust their human intelligence. I realized it’s the most under harnessed tool we have at our literal fingertips and under used. So, now I am reverse engineering my teaching. Teach people how to be connected to themselves and the art will naturally come…
What core values guide how you run your business?
Being of service to humanity, in a capacity that can be deeply healing and meaningful to not only them but have a ripple effect to all of humanity.
I know you don’t 9-5, so tell us what does a day in the life look like?
I don’t 9-5. I do still manage a household and mother, so they’re still my #1 priority. I do try to keep housr of 9-1 M-F and I have regualrly scheduled teaching days.In that time I am creating my class for the week. Doing the real work which is marketing and educating people on the work. Then I am actively creating. Right now that means sewing mini quilts, prayer shawls, altar cloths…
What’s something people don’t see about being a founder?
What people don’t see as being a founder is how the work to actual making money ratio is OFF!!! At least for me, right now. I work so hard. I don’t think people know because they rarely see the “failures”, the mess and the deep courage it takes to keep showing up.
What is your vision for the future, be it in your business or beyond?
Vision for the future is a brick and mortar community creativity “gym”. A place to go “work out” with other artists. A place to play. It will have movement practices, along with different art practices to keep artists inspired and healthy and connected!! I’d also like to travel and be a guest facilitator on retreats. Teaching people how to access their own creativity through the process I use.What advice would you give someone building something of their own?
Advice I’d give someone, start! Don’t wait to be perfect or ready. Just go for it. Everyday you have 24 hrs to work on your future vision. So use each day to get you as close As you can towards that vision. Stay connected to your heart.
If I were starting a secret society of support, what would you ask for?As for support… gah, I’d like someone to run the business and let me be the talent. I shouldn’t run a business…I’m actually not great at it…lol. Not sure that’s inspiring. But it’s true.
Find Leslie Alterman:
Her substack, TAKINGsHaPe
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