Ten years ago, a leap of faith in a small upstairs space on Chardon Square laid the foundation for what would become Ubuntu Wellness.
Ten years ago, a leap of faith in a small upstairs space on Chardon Square laid the foundation for what would become Ubuntu Wellness.
As the business marked its anniversary in early March, Ubuntu owners Jennifer Emch and Erin Moor celebrated the milestone while reflecting also on where they came from.
“We’re a holistic mental health and wellness practice that’s rooted in the idea that we heal in connection with each other,” Emch said. “So, the word ‘ubuntu’ means ‘I am because we are.’”
Ubuntu Wellness, at 201 and 203 Main St., has grown into a practice with a large clinical team of licensed therapists offering counseling services alongside a wellness team that offers reiki, yoga, massage and other similar body-focused services, Emch said.
“We really truly believe healing doesn’t just happen through talking, it happens through the whole person,” she said.
Emch and Moore both have backgrounds in mental health. Emch, who once aspired to be a movement therapist, holds an undergraduate degree in dance and a master’s degree in counseling, while Moore is a licensed therapist and massage practitioner.
The two met at a previous job, Emch said.
“Just through getting to know her, we became good friends, realized how likeminded we were personally and professionally, and then just decided to take this crazy leap and start a business,” she said.
Emch recalled seeing an advertisement in a local newspaper for an empty office space on Chardon Square described as ideal for a yoga or dance studio.
“So, I called the number, talked to the realtor, had no business plan, no money, no nothing,” she said. “Just saw this ad and I thought, this seems pretty interesting, I want to see it.”
As soon as she walked through the door, Emch said she knew the space was a perfect fit.
Intially, both Emch and Moore worked full-time jobs while building the business. Although it was challenging, Emch said the effort was worthwhile.
Early on, the owners hoped to offer a more robust yoga schedule, but were limited due to the logistical challenge of the upstairs space, Emch said, explaining how they had wanted to avoid clients walking through a yoga class to reach therapy appointments.
However, as more space in the building became available over time, Ubuntu expanded, eventually snagging a street-level storefront. The layout now allows them to offer clinical services upstairs and body-based services downstairs, Emch said.
Ubuntu also opened a second location in 2022 at 516 E. Washington St. in the South Russell Village and Chagrin area to expand its clinical services.
“Ubuntu exists because of this community, truly,” Emch said. “Our clients who trust us, local businesses who collaborate with us, organizations we partner with, it really is just super interconnected and we always believe in giving back and showing up and those relationships have gone full circle in a really beautiful way.”
Reflecting on the past decade, Emch said one of the organization’s greatest accomplishments is its team.
“They are the most incredible humans on the face of the planet,” she said. “I think the culture that we’ve built is one of the things Erin and I are most proud of. It’s supportive, it’s collaborative, it’s deeply human.”
The practice has expanded its clinical services over the years, with staff supporting clients of all ages, Emch said, noting all team members are trauma-informed and many are trained in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy.
Despite Ubuntu’s success, the journey has not been without its challenges, she said.
“Erin and I came from working in mental health,” Emch said. “We know people. We don’t know business. So, we had to learn a lot about how to run a business, the marketing piece, the financial piece, payroll, the accounting.”
While those aspects were not necessarily in their wheelhouse, Emch said they were lucky to know experts in those areas who offered support and guidance along the way.
The demands of the profession can also make it difficult to participate in wider community events, she added, as many clients seek appointments in the evenings after work or school.
However, alongside the challenges, Emch has also observed a lot of positive progress over the past decade, including shifts in how people view and access mental healthcare.
Telehealth has become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the stigma surrounding mental health has lessened, she said.
“I feel like 20 years ago, when I first got my license, if I saw (a client) out, they might be shy to say hello,” she said. “Now, they’d be like, ‘Hey everyone, there’s my therapist,’ which I think is so sweet, too.”
She added that more men, veterans and first responders — groups that have traditionally been less likely to seek services — are now accessing care.
People are also more open to combining counseling with physical wellness services, and more businesses are adopting similar models, she said.
While staff gathered earlier this month to mark the 10-year anniversary, Ubuntu is planning to celebrate throughout the year with special events and promotions, Emch said.
Looking ahead, she said the business aims to continue expanding its offerings while strengthening its core services.
“Erin and I keep pinching ourselves because we’re like, ‘How did ten years go by so fast,’ and then we’re also like, ‘Oh my god, it’s been ten years,’” she said. “What an incredible ride, what an incredible gift. Blood, sweat, tears, panics, all of the things that come with owning a business. It really is our baby and everyone that’s been a part of it has cared for it in such a tender way, so we’re grateful about that.”
