Conversations with Jennifer Emch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Emch.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My wonderful business partner, Erin, and I first met while working at a local community mental health agency. We quickly became close friends, bonding over our shared passion for holistic care and our dream of one day opening a private practice that blended clinical counseling with body-based wellness interventions—like yoga, Reiki, massage, and integrative classes.

In late 2015, a serendipitous opportunity appeared—an available space right in the heart of Chardon Square, listed in our local newspaper. On a whim, we went to see it “just for fun” and immediately fell in love. The only problem? We had no business plan, no funding, and no clear path forward. So, we tucked the dream away and returned to our regular routines.

But that space stayed with us. It lingered in our minds until we finally took a leap of faith in 2016, managing to secure just enough support to get started. Growth was slow at first—turns out “if you build it, they will come” doesn’t always apply right away—especially while we were still balancing our full-time jobs.

Then, suddenly, everything changed. Word spread. The vision caught on. And what began as just the two of us has now grown into a thriving community of 47 incredible clinicians, healers, teachers, and administrative professionals who make up our Ubuntu Wellness family.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
From the beginning, we’ve aimed to approach growth with intention and mindfulness, and we’re proud to say that we’ve become much more adept at this over time (while still knowing there is room for grow!).

I still remember when we first opened in early 2016: Erin and I were both juggling full-time jobs while building Ubuntu from the ground up. We were (lovingly) exhausted, so being able to eventually dedicate ourselves fully to Ubuntu a year or so later felt like a tremendous gift. Over the past nine years, we’ve experienced several periods of rapid, exponential growth; for which we are so grateful. During those times, we often found ourselves hustling to keep pace with the evolving demands of running a business—updating policies, refining workflows, bringing on new providers, and streamlining our internal systems. So, to answer the question of if it’s been a smooth road; certainly not—but every challenge has offered a meaningful opportunity for growth and learning.

Like many small businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 required us to pivot quickly and adapt to unprecedented challenges. We remained committed to ensuring continuity of care for our clients while also prioritizing the well-being of our exceptional team—providing the tools and support they needed to maintain both professional effectiveness and personal balance. While some of our in-person services, such as massage and Reiki, could not be transitioned to a virtual format, we significantly expanded our presence on social media to offer alternative healing modalities like virtual yoga classes, guided meditation, and mindfulness practices. Our clinical services were rapidly transitioned to telehealth, and identifying secure, HIPAA-compliant, and user-friendly platforms was a top priority during that time. Needless to say, we’re grateful to have come through that period stronger and more resilient than ever.

As our team has expanded and we’ve opened a second location, it’s been both exciting and complex. One of our ongoing goals is to foster a sense of connection across locations, as it’s easy to feel like we’re working in silos. Creating meaningful opportunities for all of our team members to gather, collaborate, and simply be together has always been a priority.

Similarly, maintaining clear and consistent communication—whether via email, in-person conversations, or text—has presented its own set of challenges, as everyone is busy living their lives (as they should!). We’re continually working to improve how we share updates and ensure everyone is in the loop on all aspects of the business.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We are incredibly proud of Ubuntu Wellness and the vision that brought it to life. Throughout our (Erin and I) collective experience in community mental health, we came to recognize a significant gap in traditional outpatient treatment—the absence of body-based approaches in the healing process. While I hold deep gratitude for the years I spent in those settings, this insight inspired a profound shift in how we now support healing and wellness. With my background in dance/movement and clinical counseling, and Erin’s expertise in therapeutic massage and clinical counseling, we were inspired to create a wellness practice that seamlessly integrates multiple healing modalities into the clinical experience. We deeply believe that healing is not a one-dimensional process—it doesn’t happen in isolation, and it certainly doesn’t begin and end with traditional talk therapy. True wellness is a full-bodied, holistic journey, and we knew this model would resonate with others seeking a more comprehensive approach to care.

At the time of Ubuntu’s founding, we noticed that while integrated wellness models existed in coastal areas, nothing quite like this was available in Northeast Ohio. That’s part of what sets us apart—we’re proud to be pioneers in our region, offering a unique blend of clinical and holistic services under one roof. We’ve even come to describe ourselves as a “unicorn business,” and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see other practices now embracing similar approaches in our community.

One of the aspects we value most is the flexibility our model provides. Some clients come to us solely for yoga or massage, while others engage exclusively in clinical counseling—and that’s completely okay. There’s no pressure to participate in every service we offer. What matters to us is that people have access to the care that best supports their individual wellness journey. We also celebrate the growing number of local providers offering body-based modalities, and we actively encourage everyone to explore practices like yoga, massage, and other forms of bodywork—even if it’s not with us—because we know the profound impact they can have on mental health.

For those who do choose to engage in multiple services at Ubuntu, our team collaborates closely to ensure continuity and quality of care. Together, we design personalized treatment plans that honor the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Seek out every support and mentor you can—truly, you can’t do it all alone. There’s always more to learn, and there’s always someone willing to offer guidance, insight, or encouragement. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by a remarkable network of support—from marketing experts and financial advisors to mindful leaders, community partners, our visionary landlords, and our own incredible team. Each has played a vital role in our growth, and we’re deeply grateful for the knowledge and encouragement they’ve shared along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ubuntuwellnessohio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ubuntuwellnessllc/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ubuntuwellnessohio/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-emch-8101b110/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ubuntuwellnessohio?app=desktop