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

Hi Maria, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

In the beginning, starting my own business felt overwhelming and daunting because I didn’t have any experience, I had no financial backing and starting a luxury mobile day spa that focused on bringing the luxuries of a day spa to Film and TV Studio’s had not been done before. I had to first get past all the negative thought’s, fears and doubts that were holding me back and find the courage to jump in.
I initially did all of the things everyone told me to do, like get a business plan together, budgets, proper advertising, web presence and all of the other things that while important, can become overwhelming and stifling. In the long run, I realized that what truly mattered was learning to be fearless, flexible and being totally open minded. Oftentimes, the result of this had nothing to do with any business plan, yet created tremendous growth for my company. Sure it’s good to have a specific plan in mind with a clear set of goals, but when opportunity comes, it tends to work differently than expected and can lead down a very fruitful path if you are open and flexible.
By learning to flow with the current of how to best serve my clients, the flow of income found me. To this day, I focus on providing impeccable service and going the extra mile to ensure my clients feel valued. Having a clear objective, a clear plan and specific goals are very important, but do not let them limit you. Stay open to the possibilities, because they are endless.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Interestingly enough, my newest business venture is actually a non profit organization called Lotus Rising International. We advocate for children who have been exploited by sex trafficking. Our mission is to support rescues, implement recovery initiatives and to assist with helping survivors reclaim their lives by providing means for continued education and job placement.
This is a heart centered soul project for me. When I learned that children as young as four years old were being brutalized day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year until they became too sickly and then were sold off for organ harvesting, I knew at that moment I could not turn my back on OUR children. I had to do something.
Learning to be fearless, flexible and open minded in business, has certainly helped in this arena, because the challenges that come along with rescues and with recovery, are bigger than I imagined. It’s a dark and heavy subject and oftentimes, when people hear of it, the responses are based in denial, in apathy or that our organization is a part of some political agenda.
We are simply a tribe of people who care about these crimes against humanity and are willing to rise up to make changes. I envision that we are the generation of humanity that circles in, to finally end these atrocities.
Our organization is an all volunteer organization. So far we have supported the rescues of over 300 children and we are just getting started. Every year we do a 24-hour LIVE fundraiser where we hold space for the entire 24 hours to raise funds and awareness for our mission. This year we will be streaming on all social media platforms starting at noon on 12/12/20 till noon 12/13/20! Please join us! Send me an email if you would like to get involved.
My online lifestyle consulting company, The Bliss Factor is for those who are ready for radical transformation. I focus on directed mindset, emotional attachments that may be constricting or limiting, our physical body and our connection to Infinite Intelligence. When all of these four elements are in alignment, then the possibilities are endless. I have clients that have been struggling with weight loss that have tried every diet in town, that are shocked to see the pounds shedding off quickly, I also have clients that have been struggling with anxiety and petrified to move forward in life, who are now launching their own businesses and are thriving in life. These radical transformations are rapid and lasting. The principles I coach with are a combination of the works of Dr. Bruce Lipton, Florence Scovel Shinn, Dr. Lynne McTaggart, Dr. Joe Dispenza, along with the certain modalities that I have been trained in such as Kundalini Yoga, Reiki, Meditation, Ho Oponopono and Feng Shui.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hosting my Bestie in LA for a week would be so fun! First of all, she’s from LA so she’s been there, done that. However, that leaves me room for all the things and places I love, so… first we would go to El Matador Beach and hang for the day, then stop off to get some fish taco’s on PCH on the way home. Next would be a hike up Temescal Canyon, with a stop at the Self Realization Center to walk the grounds. We’d have to brunch in Topanga Canyon and later grab a juice at Kreation. I’d throw in a Kundalini Yoga class and then plan a Spa Day!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I have so many shoutouts! My first influencer is my mom! My mom taught me at a very young age to go for my dreams. She always gave me endless encouragement and taught me so much about being fearless. I can say that without a doubt that I am who I am because of her. She has a strength in her that she herself doesn’t see, but trust me, it’s there. I admire her greatly for that strength. I also admire her for her endless amount of generosity. She has profound thoughtfulness, meaning that she is always thinking of other people and sends them notes or gifts just to let them know they are in her thoughts. My parents have been married for over 50 years. They both inspire me everyday in more ways than I can count.
I have to shoutout to my husband! My husband is an artist of many mediums. He stands steadfast in the pursuit of his dreams. I freaking love that about him. When those around him judge him, he stands strong, holding the space that he loves his life and that he loves his art and is willing to be fearless in the pursuit of his dreams. I have so much respect for that mindset. I have seen so many people along the years give up or give in to the pressures of what society dictates that we must do or be and throw away their passions to live a life that has no spark or fire. We become mundane in our thoughts and actions. That’s why when I see people like my husband hold his ground and really love what he does – I get giddy!
My last shoutout is to one of my favorite teachers in life,  the legendary Wynn Handman. This great teacher influenced my life in epic proportions. He gave me the gift of confidence and the gift of not having to be perfect. He taught me how to be resilient. He taught me about a world that I had no idea existed and how to explore that world without any inhibitions. I am forever grateful to him!

Website: www.MariaAparis.com
Instagram: @MariaAparis
Other: www.LotusRisingInternational.org

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