Michelle Sieben is in the business of listening.
The 58-year-old entrepreneur from the Cactus Lake area of Saskatchewan recently launched a unique, home-based startup called, I Hear You, using Zoom to connect with clients.
Sieben has an empathic heart and soul and calls herself a certified listener.
“That means I don’t fix people’s problems or give them suggestions on what to do because I believe we all have the answers inside of ourselves,” she said.
Sieben thinks it’s human nature that we want to fix things for people because we see them in pain and we want to tell how they should do things—but a good listener doesn’t do that.
“You are present with the person and you just hear them and maybe ask questions to dig a little deeper to understand a little further what this person is going through,” she explained.
Sieben says the reaction to her unique service has been positive since her start-up in June.
“A lot of people are like ‘yes we definitely need this service’ and ‘I think it’s a good idea.’” she said.
“I’ve had a couple of sessions so far, and I am trying to expand my audience.”
Her rate is $50 an hour for a Zoom video call from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Bookings are available on her website, or by emailing her at ih********@gm***.com.
“When I hold space for you, I open my heart, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgment and control,” she said.
“You will be left with more clarity, less emotional baggage, better physical and emotional wellbeing, less stress and anxiety, better relationships, work production and joy.”
Sieben admits she wasn’t always a good listener herself.
That changed after she found a safe confidential space, like she is offering at I Hear You, to voice some of her own emotional pain without fear her feelings were invalid or unjustified.
“This is what sparked my passion to bring this understanding and support to others,” said Sieben.
“Through talking with other people, I became aware that I was not alone in these feelings. It is a struggle everyone at one point or another has experienced in their lives.”
Sieben says it’s her mission at I Hear You to provide education and support around emotions while also creating a 100 per cent confidential space to process and voice emotions.
Sieben has gone through personal loss, anxiety, sexual abuse and a family member in an abusive situation, which she thinks many potential clients of all ages can relate to.
“I just believe the life experiences I have gone through and the struggles with mental health that I’ve gone through made me a better listener,” she explained.
Sieben grew up on a farm near Cactus Lake and currently lives on a nearby farm with her husband.
The couple has four adult children and six grandchildren with a seventh on the way.
At one time, Sieben worked for Canada Post, ministries for the Roman Catholic dioceses in Saskatoon and as an assistant manager for a senior’s home.
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