The Drive: What challenges have you overcome?
I read a book recently by an author encouraging readers to grow their small businesses into thriving empires. While I didn’t quite resonate with his overall message, one thing he said really stuck with me. He mentioned that he was raised by a single mother, and that if everyone could harness the strength, determination and resilience of the single mum, we’d all go far. I had a little chuckle reading his words, because I definitely saw a part of myself reflected in that description.
There’s a certain power that comes from parenting alone – a drive that’s born not from ambition, but from necessity and love. When you’re responsible for little lives, you find a level of grit you didn’t know existed.
Being a single mother has been one of my greatest teachers. It’s given me purpose, perseverance and an unstoppable will to keep building something meaningful, not just for my girls, but for the people I help. When that innate drive combines with a lifelong calling to help others heal emotionally, it becomes a force that simply keeps me moving forward.
For mothers, especially in those early years when sleep is scarce and self-care feels impossible, it’s easy to forget how strong and capable we truly are. My work now is about helping women reconnect with that quiet inner resilience, the one that may feel buried under nappies and night feeds, but is always still there.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
One of the things I love most about running my own business is that I get to create something that feels authentically me. I bring my own values, creativity, care, and heart into every part of it. Having the flexibility to work around my children’s needs is a huge bonus, but beyond that, getting to do something that genuinely brings me joy each day feels like such a gift.
Of course, the challenges come with the territory. Wearing all the hats, from admin and marketing to web design and finances, isn’t always glamorous. As a self-employed one-woman band, I’ve had to learn to juggle it all (and sometimes drop a few balls along the way!). Luckily, I’m naturally curious and love learning, so I tend to take each new challenge as an opportunity to grow.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
So far, my work in hypnotherapy has been mostly local. While I’ve had the privilege of working with a number of clients online via Zoom, most of my sessions take place right here in my Mangawhai clinic.
Looking ahead, my dream is to expand that reach, to help people understand that hypnotherapy can be just as powerful online as it is in person. Whether someone is sitting across from me in my clinic or halfway across the world on a screen, the human mind responds the same way. The depth of care, connection and transformation is not limited by distance.
My hope is to open my services to a wider audience, reaching people around the globe who are seeking comfort, healing and meaningful change. Because truly, the ability to be guided into your own inner world, to find clarity, calm and confidence…knows no bounds!
And for new mums in particular, who may not have the energy or time to leave home, online sessions can be a gentle, accessible lifeline…a pocket of peace in the middle of the beautiful chaos.
Visit www.mangawhaihypnotherapy.co.nz to find out more and you can connect with Suse on Facebook. You can also reach her via email at mangawhaihypnotherapy@gmail.com or text her on +64 21 2140 558 (if she’s with a client, she will get back to you later).
