Registered and Certified AHA CPR Instructor, Souraya Ballew
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- March 2, 2022
Statistics show that the earlier CPR is initiated, the greater the chances of survival. In fact, the American Heart Association estimates that 100,000 to 200,000 lives of adults and children could be saved each year if CPR were performed early enough.
When it comes to heart health emergencies, most Americans don’t have the training to aid others, and many don’t know the proper way to even help themselves, according to a study done by Cleveland Clinic.
The survey found that slightly more than half of Americans say they know how to perform CPR; however, only one in six know that the recommended technique for bystander CPR consists of just chest compressions — and no breaths — on an adult. These statistics are why we need more educators like Souraya Ballew.
Souraya is a Registered and Certified Phlebotomy Technician who brings forth 27 years of experience in the medical field. She is also a Certified Instructor of CPR by the American Heart Association. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she now resides in the Atlanta, GA area, where she owns and operates Tender Touch Health Solutions, LLC. In addition, as an ordained Pastor, she founded L.I.L.A.C Women’s Ministries, which stands for Ladies Influencing Life Altering Change — a 501c3 non-profit, and L.I.L.A.C Health & Healing, LLC, where she helps people to heal from trauma by offering workshops and life and spiritual coaching. She is a certified Life Coach and enjoys helping people find true happiness through healing. To aid in these endeavors, she has also received specialized training in Human Trafficking, Sexual Assault/Rape, Suicide, and Child Safety Conversation Tools. Souraya is currently enrolled at NCU to obtain her Doctoral degree in Psychology with a focus on Trauma and Disaster Relief. She is a proud wife, mother, and grandmother and holds a Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership.
How do you stay focused?
Souraya: I stay focused by keeping my goals in mind…remembering my why! It is not easy because I do a lot and sometimes things seem overwhelming or I’m just plain tired. However, I keep pushing forward because I have to. I do not allow myself any other choice. I wish I had this same level of focus when I was younger!
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
Souraya: I know the level of customer service, commitment, and passion that I offer those I service. To me, these things are unmatched. I don’t really focus so much on any competition, other than to either seek out collaborations, learn from them, or find ways to also support and encourage their endeavors.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Souraya: My answer a few years ago would have been word-of-mouth. All of my clients came because someone else told them how incredible my services were. Now, I would have to attribute the growth that I am seeing to Instagram. Social media is definitely a huge catalyst for how my businesses are growing.
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Souraya: Find your why and never lose sight of it! Add to it, but never let it go. When times seem rough and your drive seems to be fading, go harder! Now, I don’t mean not to rest, rest is very important, but don’t allow your temporary feelings of defeat to cause you to lose direction or focus. Lastly, dream big! Your dreams should scare you. If they don’t, they aren’t big enough! Believe and invest in you first, and the rest will follow.
What’s your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
Souraya: As far as books go, I’m kind of biased. Mine are my favorite, especially, “Shiny Ball Syndrome: Fixing Your Focus”. I still need to go back and read it sometimes. Outside of mine, I love classics like, “Who Moved my Cheese?”, “The Four Agreements”, and “The Secret”. My favorite apps are Rakuten because it rewards me for shopping, Skiplagged because I can get cheap last-minute flights, and IG because it’s helping me connect and grow my business, and when I need to decompress, I love playing Gardenscapes. Right now my favorite blog is Black Millionaires with James Hill because he is very educational.
What’s your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Souraya: Outside of IG, my favorite resources are my coaches because they are a wealth of knowledge. I love my banking apps, especially NOVO. I really like GoDaddy for building quick, easy, beautiful websites, and Canva for creating just about anything related to marketing or advertising that a business could need.
Who is your business role model? Why?
Souraya: Ellie Diop — Ellie Talks Money. I have found her to be super consistent, very knowledgeable, and very forthcoming with the information needed to help your business start and scale. I truly adore her!
How do you balance work and life?
Souraya: I literally just stop and make the time. I love to travel so I try to do that as often as possible. There will always be something else to do, you have to just find a stopping point and live. None of us are guaranteed any time so you must enjoy the time you have while you have it.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
Souraya: I’m so boring LOL. I really just either play Gardenscapes on my phone or soak in a hot tub. Outside of that, I enjoy massages, getting my hair and nails done, and traveling often.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
Souraya: BUSINESS GROWTH and a little travel! I am focused on building my network, personal team, and putting my businesses on autopilot as much as possible so that I can roll into the next thing on my list.
Get connected:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/souraya.christine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traumarecovery_coach and https://www.instagram.com/tendertouch_healthsolutionsllc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/souraya-ballew-a7033449/
Websites: