Lauri Stern, Founder of Custom Designed Wellness
Names: Lauri Stern
Founder: Custom Designed Wellness
In one sentence, what problem do you solve and for who?
I help women in business—from entrepreneurs to executives—understand themselves at a deeper level through a modernized chakra-based framework, so they can lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose in both work and life.
What's your story? How did you get to where you are and WHY it is you do what you do.
My path here has been anything but linear—it’s been a mix of personal Tower moments, professional reinvention, and a deep commitment to turning my own challenges into tools for others. From navigating early family upheaval, to unexpected loss, to balancing work/life goals and dreams, I’ve learned firsthand that we can either let life’s events harden us or allow them to transform us. Yoga and the study of energy systems became my compass, helping me see how our “inner wheels”—our chakras—affect our decisions, relationships, and performance. Over time, I modernized this wisdom to fit today’s challenges—social media pressure, leadership burnout, uncertainty in the world—so I could help others balance their energy, and become the kind of leaders people want to follow. I do this work because I know the cost of self-abandonment, and I also know the freedom of coming home to yourself. I know the value of creating JOY!
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
To me, being a FoundHer means building something that reflects your values, your voice, and your vision—even when the world tells you it should look different. It’s the courage to start before you’re ready, the resilience to keep going when it gets hard, and the willingness to lead in a way that creates space for others to rise with you.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
I remind women in business that #youmatter—not just for what you produce, but for who you are. Through my programs, classes, energy sessions and workshops, I help them see, "When you understand how your wheels turn, you can drive the vehicle of your body anywhere." I create safe, practical, and inspiring spaces for women to connect to their energy, align their leadership with their truth, and step into roles where they can thrive without burning out, guilt or apology.
What are three podcasts you listen to that have helped you with your business?
The Spiritual Hustler
Seeking Center: The Podcast
Ginette Biro Podcast
What is ONE BOOK that you would recommend every female business owner read?
Comfortable with Uncertainty by Pema Chodron
Who is a female entrepreneur you look up to and why?
I look up to Jamie Kern Lima because she built her business with equal parts grit, authenticity, and heart—qualities I deeply value and strive to embody. She turned personal challenges into a mission-driven brand, refusing to conform to an industry’s narrow standards and instead reshaping them. Like me, she believes in the power of being unapologetically yourself, using your voice even when it shakes, and creating something that truly serves people. Her journey from rejection to acquisition, all while holding onto her values, inspires me to keep showing up for my own mission: helping people understand themselves more deeply so they can lead and live with clarity, confidence, and joy. Jamie proves that you can build massive success without abandoning who you are.
What are the first five things that you did when you were starting your business?
When I started my business, I knew I needed both vision and strategy. First, I got crystal clear on my vision—what I wanted my work to stand for and the kind of impact I wanted to have. Second, I hired an expert to build my website so it reflected that vision professionally from day one. Third, I invested in business coaching to help me map out a sustainable growth plan and hold me accountable. Fourth, I booked a professional photographer so my brand would be represented with images that felt authentic, confident, and aligned with my message. And finally, I began with what I knew and whom I knew—tapping into my existing skills, experience, and network to create momentum and open new doors for growth.
Who is someone who has helped change or shape your business for the better and what did they do to help you?
It’s impossible to narrow it down to just one person—my business has been shaped by a community of people who’ve poured into it in different ways. Every guest on my podcast has expanded my perspective and deepened my message. Every client I meet teaches me something new about resilience, leadership, and human connection. And every conversation I have—whether it’s intentionally at a networking event or unexpectedly in the grocery store—has the potential to spark an idea, open a door, or remind me why I do what I do. Together, these interactions have not only shaped my business, they’ve shaped me as a business owner.
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
For me, there wasn’t a single “now or never” moment—because in many ways, I am my company. I am the brand, the podcast, the face of the work I do. Even before it was officially my full-time gig, my wheels were always in motion, and my mission to help and heal others never stopped. While I have the freedom to make my own hours, the truth is that this work is a full-time calling. I balance that calling with my personal and family life.
What lesson or skill did you take with you from a prior job to help you succeed in your role today?
Every role I’ve ever played—from mom to yoga instructor to working in office settings—has contributed to how I show up in my work today. Those experiences taught me tenacity, the power of self-inquiry, the importance of authenticity, and the necessity of forgiveness. They showed me how to collaborate, pivot when plans change, rest when needed, and ask for help without shame. My intuition and healing work confirmed what I’ve always known: I’m here to help others understand themselves and grow into their own truth. Time in corporate environments also gave me a clear picture of what great bosses bring to the table versus what bad ones take away, and that informs my mission to help women—whether in the workforce or managing life at home—create boundaries, speak up for themselves, and support and elevate others rather than compete with or isolate them.
Let’s talk social media—who handles it for your company (you, an internal team member, an outsourced solution?) and what is the secret to making it successful? What is the biggest challenge?
I handle my own social media because I am my brand—my voice, my energy, and my presence are what people connect with most. The secret to making it successful, at least for me, is authenticity and consistency: showing up as myself, sharing insights that genuinely help people, and letting my audience see both the polished and the real. The biggest challenge is creating more visibility that actually translates into a better ROI for my business. I can post meaningful content all day, but turning that visibility into conversions—without feeling like I’m “selling” in a way that disconnects from my mission—is the part I’m still working to master.
How did you land your first client?
Through my yoga classes!
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
I’m a bit of a unicorn in that I’m growing my brand without letting myself be bound by other people’s algorithms or definitions of what makes someone “successful” or “legitimate.” I refuse to measure my worth solely by likes, followers, or formulas that don’t honor who I am. I do what I preach: be authentic, show up as you are, and be unapologetically yourself. My business is built on real connection, meaningful conversations, and genuine impact—things that can’t always be quantified but create a deeper, lasting success.
What are three strategies you use to market your business, grow brand awareness and generate bottom line growth?
I use social media, word of mouth and my podcast, however, I'm here because I want and need to learn better and more successful ways to generate consistent and increasing bottom-line growth.
What was an obstacle you overcame to get your business where it is today?
I am a believer in the divine timing of all things, so although my business isn't where I'd like it to be in terms of consistent growth in my client base, bottom line, and overall reach and visibility, I'm confident I will get there. One obstacle I've had to overcome in order to follow the path as it unfolds is impatience. I want what I want, and I want it all now. This mindset only frustrates me and takes me off balance in my faith, making it hard to stay the course as things unfold.
What are three actionable tips you would give with other women who want to start a business or are just getting started?
1. Trust your intuitive wisdom - it's your secret sauce. When I started Custom Designed Wellness, I learned that my ability to synthesize different healing modalities and customize them for each client wasn't just a skill - it was my unique value proposition. Be authentic about what makes you different. Don't try to fit into someone else's business model. Your lived experience, your perspective, and your way of solving problems is exactly what the world needs. Stay tenacious about honoring that authenticity, even when others don't immediately understand your vision.
2. Start with conversations, not perfection. I begin every client relationship with a conversation to understand how they define well-being. You don't need to have everything figured out before you launch. Start by talking to people about their problems and how you might help. Be patient with this discovery process - those conversations will shape your offerings and help you understand your market better than any business plan. Stay flexible as you learn what resonates and what doesn't.
3. Remember that YOU matter in your business. In the wellness space, it's easy to give everything to others and forget to practice what you preach. Be kind to yourself during the inevitable setbacks and slow periods. Your energy and well-being directly impact your ability to serve others. When I remind my clients #youmatter, I have to remember that applies to me too. Take care of your own energetic alignment - whether that's through your own healing practices, setting boundaries, or celebrating small wins along the way.
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