Navigating university life is a whirlwind of decisions, dreams, and self-discovery, but for some, it’s also the launchpad for extraordinary ventures. Emily Aarons, an energy healer and entrepreneur, started her business at 22 while juggling a full course load, embodying the courage and vision that define young trailblazers. Now, she empowers high-powered female CEOs to grow their businesses by harnessing their intuition and well-being. Her story, from a college student with a bold idea to a global influencer hosting events for thousands, offers a beacon for students eager to carve their own paths.
In this exploration, we’ll dive into Emily’s journey, from founding a wellness centre to overcoming toxic partnerships and financial struggles. We’ll uncover her strategies for balancing university demands with entrepreneurship, her insights on shedding the need for external approval, and her advice for aspiring visionaries. For university students, Emily’s tale is a masterclass in resilience, self-belief, and following your inner calling, proving that even the toughest transitions can lead to transformative success.
A Spark Ignited: Launching a Business at 22
Emily Aarons’ entrepreneurial journey began at 22, when she founded a wellness centre while still a university student. Classically trained in energy healing for over 24 years, she envisioned a business that would help millions, a dream far grander than her partners’ local focus. Winning a student business plan competition gave her the cash and confidence to dive in, applying classroom lessons—public relations, team management, communications—directly to her venture. “I was doing it in real time while learning,” she recalls, highlighting her relentless drive.
This bold leap wasn’t without challenges. Feeling “behind” her peers, who were graduating while she was starting, Emily grappled with self-doubt and comparison. Yet, her clarity of purpose—serving others through healing—kept her focused. For students, her story underscores the power of aligning academic learning with real-world action. Starting a business at university, though daunting, can be a crucible for growth, teaching you to prioritise, adapt, and trust your vision, even when it feels like you’re playing catch-up.
Juggling Act: Balancing University and Entrepreneurship
Managing a business while acing six classes a semester was no small feat for Emily. She structured her life with precision, dedicating Tuesdays and Thursdays to being a student, free from work distractions, and other days to her business and studies. “I’d put on my student hat and be fully present,” she says, a strategy that helped her make the Dean’s List. Financially, however, the strain was intense—investing in her business while living independently stretched her resources thin, making it one of the hardest periods of her life.
Emily’s energy healing background was a lifeline, helping her prioritise tasks and avoid burnout. She advises students to identify their “clarity rituals”—for her, walks in nature cleared mental clutter, allowing her to focus. For university students juggling coursework, part-time jobs, or side hustles, Emily’s approach offers a blueprint: compartmentalise roles, lean on wellness practices, and accept that financial struggles are part of the journey. Her resilience shows that with discipline and self-care, you can thrive under pressure.
Breaking Free: Overcoming the Need for Approval
A pivotal moment in Emily’s journey was recognising her need to prove herself, particularly to her parents. “I was looking for approval that I was worthy,” she admits, a quest that left her feeling powerless. This drive, rooted in comparison and societal expectations, haunted her early years, from high school dreams of being a recognised entrepreneur to her university hustle. A turning point came when her husband noted that even “filling stadiums” wouldn’t sway her parents, prompting a profound shift: Emily reclaimed her self-worth.
For students, this lesson is liberating. The pressure to seek validation—from professors, peers, or family—can stifle your potential. Emily’s advice? “Screw it. It doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks.” By affirming her innate worth, she stopped measuring herself against others’ standards. This mindset is crucial for young dreamers: trust your inner voice, surround yourself with supporters who share your vision, and let go of external benchmarks. Your worth doesn’t depend on others’ applause.
Turbulent Transitions: Navigating a Toxic Business Exit
Selling her wellness centre post-graduation was a gut-wrenching transition for Emily. Expecting a smooth parting with her partners, she faced betrayal instead—locks changed overnight, clients left confused, and a humiliating legal battle. “They dragged me through the mud,” she recalls, with lawyer fees consuming her sale proceeds. The emotional toll was immense, compounded by graduating and a study abroad stint in Spain. Feeling taken advantage of as the youngest partner, Emily vowed never to enter partnerships again.
This painful exit taught her to reset her nervous system and refocus on her core mission: helping others. She transitioned to private healing sessions, rebuilding her confidence in a safe space. For students facing their own transitions—leaving university, ending relationships, or shifting careers—Emily’s story is a reminder that setbacks, even toxic ones, don’t define you. Listen to your inner calling, seek environments that nurture your growth, and trust that healing and reinvention are possible after even the darkest moments.
Visionaries Unite: Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
Emily’s journey resonates deeply with young entrepreneurs, especially those feeling underestimated. At 16, I launched my first successful business, and like Emily, faced scepticism from older peers. She sees this as an advantage: “Younger people can be more innovative, nimble, and adaptable.” Her message to aspiring student entrepreneurs is clear—embrace your visionary nature, even if others don’t grasp your ideas. “We’re built to imagine things nobody else can,” she says, urging persistence despite doubt.
Surrounding yourself with like-minded cheerleaders is key, but ultimate success hinges on self-belief. Emily’s online pivot, despite her husband’s scepticism, led to a tenfold business growth, proving the power of trusting your instincts. For students dreaming of startups, her advice is practical: seek peers who challenge and refine your ideas, ignore naysayers who haven’t walked your path, and cultivate resilience. Being underestimated is a gift—it fuels innovation and sets you apart in a world that often resists bold change.
Guiding Lights: Three Pillars for Student Success
Emily’s three pieces of advice for university students are a roadmap for thriving amid chaos. First, find your clarity ritual—whether a nature walk or quiet reflection—to make decisions aligned with your heart, from choosing a major to navigating relationships. Second, heed burnout warning signs before they force you to stop. “Your body will pump the brakes if you don’t,” she warns, advocating for proactive stress management to avoid illness or collapse. Third, listen to your inner calling, not external pressures about “hot” careers or profitability.
These pillars resonate for students balancing academics, social lives, and ambitions. Emily’s mantra, “Today is your day,” written on a post-it, reminds her to show up authentically, no matter the circumstances. For young adults, this is a call to action: tune into your intuition, prioritise well-being, and pursue what truly drives you. By embracing these principles, you can navigate university’s pressures with confidence, setting the stage for a fulfilling, purpose-driven future.
Emily Aarons’ journey from a 22-year-old student entrepreneur to a global energy healer is a testament to courage, resilience, and self-belief. Her story—marked by bold beginnings, painful transitions, and triumphant reinvention—offers students a powerful guide for navigating university and beyond. By trusting your vision, managing stress, and seeking supportive allies, you can turn dreams into reality, even when the world doubts you. Visit emilyaaron.com to explore her meditations, YouTube content, and free app, and let her mantra—“Today is your day”—inspire you to seize every moment.
