We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura McCann and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
Impostor syndrome is a psychological pattern where an individual doubts their accomplishments, skills, or talents and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” Despite external evidence of their competence, it is said that those experiencing this phenomenon remain convinced that they are frauds and are underserving of the success they have achieved. They attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than to ability, and fear that others will eventually unmask them as a fraud.

The risk in labeling ourselves this way is it negates our ability to accept, that in fact, we are incredibly unique, beautiful, capable individuals and that we have everything we need to be our best selves. Because I believe in free will, and accountability as guiding principles, I disagree with the entire premise around naming our sense of “not enoughness” as impostor syndrome.

Instead I’d argue that labeling someone with “impostor syndrome” can pathologize normal feelings of self-doubt and humility, which are common to many people in challenging situations. By adapting this language of failure and incompetency, we are overlooking the healthy, reflective parts of our personal and professional development.

For women, especially, I find the idea offensive and short sighted. In truth many of our feelings of inadequacy can be attributed to external factors, such as systemic bias, discrimination, or a toxic work environment, rather than our own misperception of our abilities. I have experienced that women and minorities often face systemic challenges that can undermine their confidence and may be misinterpreted as impostor syndrome.

I’d suggest that the next time someone wants to label themselves as an impostor, instead they remind themselves they are perfect and divine.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My company Adoratherapy is a leader in the aromatherapy category. We create beautiful scents with healing essential oils and combine our breath taking scents with Auratherapy, a data driven aura reading that reveals aspect of the body, mind and soul. You could say we are healers. Our approach however considers that each individual is the key ingredient in this process, and that with an intention to be their best selves they can literally transform their lives.

We serve our customers in our store in the beautiful Grove Arcade, in downtown Asheville North Carolina. We manufacturer our products down the street, and also sell online and wholesale to spas, specialty retailers and other healers.

I’ve been an entrepreneur for over 32 years. I have continually reinvented myself and in my career incarnations have been in Fashion, Tech and now the Beauty industry. My love of product design, merchandising, and story telling led me to build my own brand so that I could share what I had learned along the way: Adoring yourself is the path to the greatest healing.

Throughout it all I have had ups and downs. The journey requires courage, curiosity and compassion. I’ve learned to enjoy the good and learn from the hard times. recently I enjoyed a beautiful accomplishment when I received Asheville’s Chamber of Commerce’s WomanUP award for Best Entrepreneur. The award celebrates a woman who demonstrates the transformation of her dreams into the reality of a product or service and who exhibits the traits of an entrepreneur including taking risks, personal drive, perseverance, innovation and business acumen. This award truly touched me as I felt seen by my community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I moved to Asheville eight years ago from New York City and instantly fell in love. When family visits I have my favorite spots to take them.

Dobra Tea House for a chill moment with amazing teas and desserts
Wake Foot Spa for a soak and massage
The Battery Park Book Exchange for champagne and a cheese plate and a book lover moment
Adoratherapy for an Aura reading
Serenity & Scott for some clean beauty products
Citizen Vinyl & Coda for a coffee and a cool space with records
Enter the earth for crystals
The Grove Arcade
Stony Knob Cafe in Weaverville for dinner or brunch

Of course there is hiking and outdoorsy things to do:

A stroll along the river in the River Arts or west Asheville
Rafting on the French Broad river
A hot soak in the Hot Springs in Hot Springs
A walk around Beaver Lake in North Asheville
A visit to the Arboretum

I like to imagine which chakra is getting the most out of each location. It is a fun way to inspire oneself to squeeze the juice out of each experience. Walking is grounding, shopping is solarplexus, and healing is so sacral.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to my Life partner Jim Levinson.

Website: https://adoratherapy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adoratherapy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adoratherapy/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/adoratherapy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADORAtherapy/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOrGg2A9-X2UfEL1yK0cUFA

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.