Maranda Houston has always been the strong one in her family:  the loving mother, the big sister, the devoted aunt – the one people could always count on when they needed help. And then one day, when she just couldn’t do it anymore, she decided it was time to be strong for herself. 

“I realized that I needed me more than anyone else. I needed a place where I could go to be okay, and decided to found Holism Haus, which offers transformative healing through a unique blend of sound alchemy, mindfulness and wellness services that nurture the mind, body, and spirit,” Maranda explained.

Once she established Holism Haus, Maranda reconnected with the Michigan SBDC at Lansing Community College for help in increasing awareness and building a loyal customer base. She was paired with Business Consultant Janet Atkinson to fine-tune her business model and long-term strategy by analyzing service offerings, pricing, operations and marketing strategies to increase trial and engagement. They also identified grant opportunities to fund future growth.

Another key accomplishment of working together was the fine-tuning of Maranda’s “elevator pitch,” which contributed to her winning two high profile pitch competitions in one week: the “Transformation Gems Pitch Competition” and the “99 Problems But a Pitch Ain’t One” competition. The wins validated the business model, increased brand visibility and improved customer engagement: bookings increased, and satisfied customers gave glowing, five-star Google reviews.

Beyond building her business, Maranda also builds her community through workshops, “name your price” events and after-school programs. “In all I do, my aim is to bring healing energy, restoration, transmutation and love. By continuing to grow my partnership with Michigan SBDC, Holism Haus will be well-positioned to sustain growth, navigate new opportunities and further enhance its impact on the community,” Maranda stated.