Community Futures Program & Services | Self-Employment Program & myCommunityFutures
Industry | Consulting
Business Owner | Lisa Magisi
Please give us a brief description of your backstory.
Before joining Community Futures, I worked as an engineer at CN Railway. While I was proud of my role, the demanding nature of the job—working over 100 hours a week, being on call 24/7, and having no consistent schedule—took a serious toll on my mental, emotional, and physical well-being. My health began to decline rapidly: my cancer had flared up, and my anxiety disorder was becoming unmanageable.
Recognizing that I couldn’t continue on this path, I made the difficult but necessary decision to take stress leave. During that time, I began exploring ways to become self-employed to regain my health and life. That’s when I discovered the Community Futures program.
I will forever be grateful for the program’s guidance, resources, and education. The support I received through this program was invaluable-without it, my efforts to start over would have failed. I didn’t know what I didn’t know until I became a part of this community. Community Futures not only helped me build a business but also helped me rebuild myself.
Tell us about your business. What service do you provide, and what problem do you solve for your customers?
At Journey Back to Love Consulting, we specialize in guiding individuals through the transformative process of overcoming significant life challenges. We also offer group workshops on critical life skills, where we learn conflict resolution skills, how to build boundaries, overcome fears, and create resilience.
What have been your successes, milestones, and challenges?
To date, I have worked with multiple clients to help them rebuild their lives and relationships with self and others, overcome addictions, and move forward into a happier, healthier life. I have been a guest speaker at the BCSTH conference in Vancouver, asked to facilitate multiple workshops, and landed two contracts as a wellness support worker.
What did you find most valuable in working with Community Futures Thompson Country?
The market research and the mentorship helped me narrow my business plan and seek out what I was passionate about and how to turn that into a successful business.
How do you hope your business grows in the next few years?
In the future, I hope to become a sought-after speaker and wellness consultant in the industry. During the launch phase of my business, I also found the courage to publish my book and try many new things with the support and encouragement from both Julie and Carmen. The skills and training have been invaluable to my success.
Are there any mentors or other local businesses or services you’d like to mention, and why?
Michelle Dignard, thank you for your mentorship and for allowing me to work with you. Anna Harrison for her invaluable mentorship, and Jeremy Heighton for his leadership workshop.
