We had the good fortune of connecting with Mili Shah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mili, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?

I grew up as a first generation Indian-American in New York and having the experience of living between two very different worlds shaped how I navigate life. I got to witness my parents and family members navigate new worlds, try new things, and acclimate to a new lifestyle first hand. I acted as a bridge between these two worlds for my family members and didn’t realize until I was older how helping people navigate the world from a young age helped me in how I navigated things for myself. I think it helped me build resiliency and understand deeper world issues with compassion and kindness.

I grew up in a multi-family and multi-generational home. I reveled in the wisdom of my aunties and grandmother, drawing from their wisdom of herbs, yoga, and spirituality. I remember my father teaching me how to meditate at 8 years old when I started to show signs of anxiety, and my mother giving me massages with special herbal oils she would have formulated for us for any ailment we could have. I took turmeric instead of robitussin, and ate a mostly vegetarian Ayurvedic diet. I didn’t know how valuable this lifestyle and these lessons were until I moved away.

This environment set me up to be who I am today. The reason I am able to help others is from the example given to me by my family. I carry it with me in every treatment and every interaction.

What should our readers know about your business?

My business is an acupuncture clinic that offers acupuncture, reiki, cupping, herbal therapy, facial acupuncture, and microneedling. I also offer educational workshops and classes. I have a background in skincare, Ayurveda, energy work, body work, and esthetics. I also have done postgraduate work in treating mental health with Five Element Acupuncture, and treating cosmetic or skin disorders with acupuncture, herbs and microneedling. I’ve figured out a way to offer what I love in my San Diego Clinic

I’m so happy I started my own business and stuck to it. Having that freedom to explore and create helped me bring together all of my interests into a very unique set of offerings.Starting the business was not easy. It’s still not easy. I started out with the mindset that I was building something the way you would build up a house or building. But really, I was birthing a living breathing thing and I realized I needed room for growth and change and exploration. I was able to view my business more as something that needs nourishment and nurturing to grow, and then it started to grow. Meditation, coaching, energy work, therapy, and of course, acupuncture really helped me stay centered and focused instead of reacting to the unknown and unexpected. I also sought out mentors and coaches both in my field and outside of my field to offer advice.

One of the most important things I learned through the years I’ve been in business is to show up and do the work. I feel like I am here today because I was able to find some structure and discipline early on, and stayed consistent. My clients have been able to witness my growth, and I still have patients who were with me since before I even had a location, and was giving treatments out of my apartment. Staying true and authentic to myself and my talents, and acknowledging what I couldn’t do and where I needed help kept me centered and grounded. Also, I needed to learn how to adapt. There was so much that happened that couldn’t be planned for, and I needed to allow for change and redirection when that was called for. It sounds funny because I talk about being consistent but also allowing for change, but I think that honoring your authenticity gives you the discernment of when to hold steady, and when to move forward.

The biggest lesson of all is to make sure you love what you are doing. There are days where it will be difficult, and you won’t want to do the work, and that’s OK. But when you reflect on what you do, it should bring you happiness and contentment. Also, make sure to value yourself and what you do. What you love is valuable, and it will bring value to your life, and the lives of others. Those two beliefs hold steady in my mind now, and working from a place of joy brings me more joy.

There’s a quote that I love by Howard Thurman, “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive” The legacy I want to leave through my business, with my colleagues, employees, students, interns, clients, family, friends and people I encounter every day, is bringing out the best in them or witnessing them in their true authenticity. Whatever or however that looks for that person on that day, I want the authentic you because THAT is beautiful. THAT is my brand, THAT is what I want to share with the world

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

There are so many different places in San Diego that I love! There’s so much natural beauty, so the beaches and nature trails are a must! I love taking visitors to Torrey Pines Beach the Self Realization Fellowship gardens, The Rose Garden, Japanese Tea Garden, and Botanical Gardens in Balboa Park, and of course the Museums!

Also, The food! Every neighborhood has amazing eateries. I live in North Park right now and love that I can walk to so many amazing restaurants. I especially love Tacos and love visiting my favorite shops and finding new ones.  Some of my favorite spots to eat right are Brother’s Mexican, Red House Pizza Bahn Thai and Buona Forchetta.  They have great gluten free options!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate this shoutout to my family, my partner, friend family and students. I don’t think that I would have pursued my talents without their support. My family for always encouraging me to do what I love and follow my heart and happiness, My partner for reminding me of how awesome I am and that I’m capable of anything I put my mind to, My friend family for honoring who I am and who I am becoming, and always encouraging me to grow, change and adapt to what life is offering right now, and my students for inspiring me to grow in my practice, and remind me that I am a lifelong student. I learn so much from them and want them to know how much I appreciate them.

Website: milishahdacm.com

Instagram: @milishahdacm

Facebook: @milishahdacm

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mili-shah-lac-san-diego

Image Credits
Image Credit to Julie Quinn

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