​For new readers and those who need a reminder, we are a custom wellness platform for corporations, with services focusing on “in-office” and “on-the-go” meaning event settings like: conferences, training, retreats, etc.  We provide a variety of wellness needs ranging from nutrition, fitness- group and individual, mindfulness and stretch exercises, education around all categories, bio-metric testing, data analytics, and more!  We come to you while also providing network access outside the office/corporate setting. 
 
We are a true startup in every sense of the word and just started “taking off” weeks prior to the pandemic hitting.  This was all very shocking and unexpected as we can imagine you can relate.  While we have virtual services available as an option on both platforms, we attempted to go fully virtual in Spring 2020.  After realizing how hard corporations had been hit and struggling to re-organize internally, we knew this was not the proper time to push secondary services as a new company, although we understand the importance of maintaining health and stress levels especially during this time to achieve the necessary work, life, balance that we believe to our core.  We wanted to be a solution for people in need during such a difficult time, but weren’t quite sure how to achieve this.  It felt like we’d have to remain on pause until the world regained its normalcy; or did we?
 
About a week or so prior to this devastating time in the world, we had been asked to join a tabling event for women in business.  To spice up our table we put together a sample “thrive wellness box” from one of our “on-the-go” offerings.  A box meant to be used as a staff or attendee gift upon arrival at a conference, training, retreat, etc. to take care of your self-care needs during your stay.  Products at this time included all natural, local, handmade items including: hand-sanitizer, pillow spray, herbal tea, hydrating face serum and bath salts.  This idea generated lots of interest and our wheels started spinning…
 
This was never supposed to be our brands leading service/product, but we went with the flow and evolved as we knew from the start, things could shift and work differently than our initial vision.  While maintaining an open mind, we began learning a completely new business model working with advisors, mentors and professionals in the e-commerce space.  Together we built a new platform from the ground up and did a soft launch during summer 2020.  We were pleasantly surprised at the feedback we were gaining as we sent out donation boxes, received small to large corporate orders for client and staff gifts, as well as friends and family supporting us, purchasing wellness boxes for their loved ones. 
 
Each month sales kept growing and we are proud to say that we are officially a successfully operating business!  A branch under thrive wlb, called thrive wellness box.  We are proudly helping our clients achieve giving back to their staff and clients by providing custom wellness gift boxes for them.  Our core products mentioned earlier grew significantly and we are offering a variety of wellness products in addition, such as: shower steamers, neutral scented candles, calming mist, hair serum, bath soap, nail brushes, and resistance bands.
 
thrive’s mission has not changed.  We have always aimed to provide healthy solutions to touch as many corporate environments/lives as possible while supporting small, local businesses.  All of our partners and vendors are hand-selected and part of our growing community.  We have always wanted to create a win-win environment on both the client and partner ends.  We believe that a work, life, balance in today’s world is the key to a successful, happy and fulfilling life.  We work hard as a society, putting so much emphasis on “if you work harder you will achieve more.”  We believe in a strong work ethic, but not at the cost of neglecting yourself. 
 
We are excited to announce that we are launching our consumer platform this month!  We hope that you will help support us as you support yourself, loved ones, staff, clients and more.  Let’s all feel good and make a difference in each other’s lives.  Please reach out to Bianca Mircica, Founder and CEO of thrive wlb, for any questions or inquiries.  We want to get to know you and what your wellness needs are. 
 
More to come and we look forward to hearing any and all feedback!
 
In Gratitude,
Bianca Mircica and the thrive wlb Team

This is a hard time for a lot of us who are sick or have a loved one struggling and our thoughts are with you.  Also with all of our hospital staff, grocery store employees, delivery drivers or anyone else on the front line.  For the rest of us at home, I know a lot of us are starting to go a little bit stir crazy, am I right?  And this is only the beginning of what seems to be the "new normal."  Normal meaning virtual living in every sense of the word.  Working from home, FaceTime dates and social gatherings like birthdays and happy hours, streaming live events, workouts, meditations and more!  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying this a little bit; not people being sick or necessarily the virtual part although I am pretty used to it , but mainly the part that is forcing us as a whole to slow down.  I am not naive or unaware, BUT I am finding the peace and restorative work both mentally and physically eye-opening during a time of such chaos and uncertainty.  

I truly believe this is a collective "awakening" for all of us.  If you have already begun digging deep years, months or even weeks prior you've been ready and likely feeling safe while trusting the process and if not, this is an amazing opportunity to start doing so and accepting what comes up for you.  What does that mean exactly?  To me it means really looking within yourself, self-reflecting and facing all of your "stuff."  That can look like anything from childhood wounds to repetitive patterns and behaviors that aren't great habits, fears, toxic relationships you're in and anything in-between.  It's a time we're being forced to heal and move forward, shifting and re-shaping our realities.  Before I go too deep, here are some overall tips and ideas to follow below for your well-being and inner work; feel free to comment and let me know your thoughts on all the above. 

• Meditating- I personally love The Den Meditation; I go weekly and subscribe to their podcast and they now offer Den Anywhere 
• Podcasts and Books- are a great way to help guide you through tough emotions, educate yourself and understand different parts of yourself; let us know if you want any recommendations
• Journaling- can really helps to release and observe your thoughts while noticing patterns if you're consistent with writing.  I suggest starting with what you are grateful for
• Cooking- can be so fun and a way to connect with those you are living with.  If you're solo, make it fun by FaceTiming friends or family to tell them what you made or a companion to eat with and even recording a fun video- let us know if you're looking for any good recipe ideas
• FaceTime- is social and a great way to connect with loved ones and even new people you want to get to know better
• DIY or Cleaning Projects- are a good way to spend your time being productive when you are feeling antsy and need a distraction
• Creative Projects- maybe you haven't had a chance to focus on that book you want to write, or that business idea you have, or that art project you haven't started.  NOW is all we have and this is a great time to let your creativity flow, maybe even finding your bigger purpose
• Yoga and other Practices- help keep your physical body active while stimulating your mental.  Yoga Vibe is my studio in LA and love their instructors- check them out for a virtual live streaming experience
• Hiking, Walking or Running- if you are in an area that is safe and allowed to be outdoors, fresh air is so important and good for our sanity.  Try to get out
• Wim Hof Techniques- check him out here!  Breathing and cold therapy options to support a healthy immune and lymphatic system; I have made this a part of my daily morning routine and I highly recommend downloading the free app and checking out his free resources 

While I listed some ideas here , there are also a ton of others including virtual workouts and challenges you have all been participating in.  Please share with us other activities and inner-work examples that you have been finding peaceful and uplifting during this time.  I think now more than ever, community needs to come together and support one another.  I also give so much credit to all of you parents out there who are working with your children at home and finding creative ways to spend your days as a family while balancing your responsibilities. 

Of course, make sure you are practicing physical distancing (I believe we can still safely be social) washing your hands often, and making sure you are getting all the nutrients you need including hydration! 

Be well and safe :) 
Bianca

@eventswithbluelight
​@thrivewlb

Let’s talk flights! This is where it all begins
- The night before your flight try to get as much rest and hydration as possible.-
- The stress of packing and flying plus the germs that can be found on an airplane (*shudder*) are reasons to start taking immune boosting vitamins before you even leave. We usually start taking vitamins a few days before a flight and will continue to take them throughout our trip up until a few days after returning home. Some of the vitamins we’ve tried and suggest are the following:

• Emergen-C Chewables
• Sambucus (Elderberry) Gummies
• Zinc Supplements. Straight up.  Not products containing zinc because they are way less effective, go for the real thing!

BE SURE to never take zinc or really any other vitamins on an empty stomach, you've been warned!

- Take it a step further and pack sanitizing wipes to wipe down the area you’re sitting in. You can also pack facial wipes and hand sanitizer to clean your face and hands as desired. Lisa is a germaphobe where as Bianca believes in a little exposure to germs can actually help you, but we both agree to use sanitizer and wipes sparingly but definitely in the ickiest of situations.

Can you guess the three dirtiest spots on an airplane?! 

• Magazine Holder
• Tray Table
• Water (*EEK*) 

​- We highly suggest wiping down your tray table and avoid using your holder on the back of the seat. Use your facial wipes and hand sanitizer for after trips to the bathroom. Also, think twice about ordering tea and coffee in flight and hit up a Starbucks before boarding!

​Thanks for taking flight with us. Stay tuned for our next post!
In the meantime, eat well, hydrate and stay active. 
- Lisa and Bianca