Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia Permenter.
Hi Felicia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
AKN Wellness was born after I had my third child, I wanted to find a way to serve my community in health and wellness without having to go back to graduate school or return to work full time. As an ICU nurse, work for me included nights, holidays, and weekends. I no longer wanted to miss valuable time with my family and I also wanted to support people before they got sick and ended up in the ICU. In 2019, I completed a health and wellness coaching program and I have been on a mission to inundate communities of color with wellness resources and services, as well as empower people to live their healthiest and thrive in life.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has not always been a well-paved path, to start with I had this grand vision of serving the underserved but in the beginning, I did not really know what that would look like for me. I had no clue where to begin or how to execute this vision. I realized that baby steps were still steps so I started small. Initially, I worked with family, friends, and referrals to help people understand their health and implement lasting lifestyle practices to promote wellness. Shortly after beginning the pandemic was present in full force and I returned to work full time in the ICU. In Fall 2020 we relocated from AZ to MN and I had to start over with building a name for AKN Wellness. Community outreach and partnerships led to amazing opportunities that allowed me to introduce AKN Wellness to the Twin Cities. I was welcomed warmly and have seen tremendous growth in my wellness practice, I work with non-profit organizations, churches, and small businesses to serve underrepresented communities. One of the most significant challenges that I continue to work hard at overcoming is the feelings of imposter syndrome, that maybe my services are not needed or valued. In those moments I have to remind myself of my grand vision and recognize that the place I am in now is a baby step to something greater, and even if I help just one person I still made a difference.
We’ve been impressed with AKN Wellness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
AKN Wellness is a service-based, community health, and wellness organization, we believe that increasing access to health and wellness services, resources, and practices, will help people reach and maintain their optimal health and wellness. Some of our services include:
– postop care
– IV hydration and nutrition therapy
– Health and wellness coaching
– Lymphatic Massage
– Individual Care Coordination
– Health and Wellness/Biometric Screenings
We bring awareness to health and wellness as two separate but important aspects of our daily lives. We work with individuals and organizations by helping to connect the dots and recognize that both are needed for overall well-being.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Not necessarily a new lesson, but a nice reminder that time is valuable and of the essence, this crisis reminded me that no day is promised and how important it is to spend time with the ones you love.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.akn-wellness.com
- Instagram: akn_wellness
- Facebook: AKN Wellness
- Other: www.akn-iv.com
Image Credits
Akil Photography LLC
