Vera Powles is a Portuguese biomedical scientist and the founder of Mana Living, based in the North East. The health and wellbeing platform is designed to give busy men and women a tool to take back control of their health, develop positive habits, and create a maintainable, healthy lifestyle.
What was your first job (and what did it pay)? My first job was when I was 16 as a tourist guide during the summer holidays, and I can’t remember how much I was paid! My first ‘adult’ job was as a biomedical scientist, straight out of university. I worked for a diagnosis lab in Lisbon and I was paid just over $8 an hour.
What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? The best advice came from my mum who is a self-made successful entrepreneur. She told me to fail fast, learn from it, and pivot in the right direction as soon as you can.
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What are the main changes that you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you facing? When I was working in DNA repair in 2012, it was common knowledge that diet and exercise had an impact on our wellbeing but even sleep wasn't talked about that much, In recent years there has been a true diversification for wellness brands.
When I started my career there were very few holistic health brands, but nowadays most health and wellness-related services will try and complement their offerings to target the whole being as opposed to focusing only on a single approach which is good to see. In terms of challenges, we are of course conscious of the toll that the current financial situation is having on individuals and businesses as well as trying to remain adaptable to what Britain post-Brexit and post-Covid might look like in the upcoming years.
How has the pandemic changed the way you work? The pandemic offered us an opportunity to take our services online and reach a wider audience since a lot of people enjoyed the convenience of being able to access yoga classes, meditations, nutrition and so much more at the click of a button. This was the start of Mana Living. Post-pandemic we've been taking a much more hybrid approach, alongside the online platform we also run in-person classes and events and are very grateful that all our classes and events have sold out since the start of the year.
Post-pandemic I have noticed that people are much more aware of being healthy, both physically and mentally, and more invested in their self-care. Due to lockdown restrictions many of us cooked more at home, took up yoga and meditation, and continue to look for ways to support our well-being and longevity free from disease. We launched our platform to provide resources for people to continue to have the time and the tools to focus on their health, even when life gets busy again.
Who is your role model in business? Arianna Huffington, co-founder of The Huffington Post and founder and CEO of Thrive Global. Despite her undeniable success, her leadership style is focused as much on well-being and personal fulfilment as it is on financial growth.
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What would your dream job be? I'm fortunate to be in a position where I love what I do and wouldn't change it for the world. I love teaching yoga, creating recipes and content, and challenging myself with innovative strategies to support our amazing community in feeling their best every day. When we help clients to live healthier, fitter, compassionate, happier lives they will take that into their homes, their offices, and their circle of friends and I hope that this ripple effect will transform the world we live in.
What advice would you give to someone starting a career in your sector? Before you do anything else, sit down and take time to know yourself; what are your values, your non-negotiables, and your definition of success. This will create the clarity you need to make decision-making more efficient, and branding more consistent, and will allow you to set meaningful goals for your business.
What makes the North East a good place to do business? From a business owner's perspective, there is a growing small business community that, in true northern fashion, is very welcoming and supportive. I've had the pleasure of collaborating with incredible local brands who share my ethos, which has enriched the work that we do. In our North East audience, we have the kindest friendliest clients - they inspire us to do better every day. On a personal level, we love the work-life balance and the vibrant yet calm life that you can enjoy living and working in the region.
How important do you think it is for business to play a role in society? I think it is incredibly important if not essential for businesses to play a role in society. Businesses, and especially small businesses, are the building blocks of our society. Independent businesses can shape and uplift neighbourhoods, improve the sense of community and create jobs, diversity, and financial stability for many people. Small businesses especially, are often born out of a passion, a strong personal vision, and principles that help create a communal identity in the region they're based in. I also believe that small businesses will pave the way for a more environmentally sustainable country which will benefit us all now and in the future.
Outside of work, what are you really good at? I'm great at entertaining! I love cooking and hosting dinner parties or brunch for our friends and making them feel really welcome in our home.