Inside Lagoon Prenatal in Colwood there is exactly what parents and parents-to-be need, a calm, serene space and the best quality care.
At the helm of the 14-member team is Andrea Sanders.
“We offer massage therapy, counselling, acupuncture, childbirth education, physio therapy,” she says.
Andrea opened Lagoon Prenatal after years of working as a massage therapist.
“I was always really enthralled with pregnancy in general,” she says. “My first semester at massage therapy college we had someone come in and talk about serving pregnant people and attending births, providing massage therapy to people who are labouring, and at that moment I knew that is what I wanted to do.”
After being forced to change locations a number of times, Andrea was able to open the space at 496 Owens Rd. with the help of funding from the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC).
“We’re a non-profit organization and for over 40 years we’ve been providing support and services to Indigenous entrepreneurs on Vancouver Island,” says Mary Finch with the NEDC.
Recently, Andrea was nominated for the national Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association’s Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Award, and out of nearly 59 entries across Canada, she won.
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“Andrea isn’t just an entrepreneur, she’s an advocate for the space she represents as well as her clients and her exceptional work in the community,” says Mary.
“And the fact that she’s not even 40 years old is really incredible too,” Mary adds. “She’s not just a role model for women in her community but Indigenous women all around Canada.”
Andrea says she’s proud of what she’s accomplished and that the most satisfying parts of her work are supporting people and building relationships with the community.
She also has these words of advice for those with entrepreneurial interests.
“Don’t do it alone. Find people in your community, connect with your neighbours, connect with your nation, ask for help if you need it,” she says. “Find your core people, find people you can talk to and share your struggles – and share your successes too, because people really want to support you.”