Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandy Vang.
Hi Chandy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After moving to California, I found myself in a season of starting over and figuring out what I wanted the next chapter of my life to look like. I had spent more than 12 years working in mental health, addiction recovery, behavioral health, and community services. While I loved supporting others through difficult times, I knew I wanted to create something that reflected my own values and approach to healing.
That’s how I met Kathryn at Sounds of the Light. I went to a sound healing experience there and met the owner and she opened up doors for me to host my very own community healing circles there.
HH&W grew from both my professional experience and my personal healing journey. As someone with long term sobriety, I’ve seen how important it is to have spaces where people feel safe, supported, and connected. I wanted to create opportunities for people to come together, learn, heal, and build community.
Today, Healing Haven and Wellness focuses on wellness education, community events, support groups, and healing centered experiences that help people care for their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. My goal is to make wellness feel accessible and welcoming, especially for people who may not always have access to these resources.
I’m still expanding and learning as a business owner, but at its heart, Healing Haven and Wellness is about helping people feel less alone and more empowered in their healing journey. California gave me the opportunity to start fresh and introduce Energy Healing to the Hmong community in the Central Valley.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Moving to California meant starting over in many ways, both personally and professionally. Building a business from the ground up takes time, resources, and a lot of patience. One of the biggest challenges has been balancing the vision I have for Healing Haven and Wellness with the realities of being a new small business owner.
As a Hmong entrepreneur, another challenge has been finding Hmong professionals, facilitators, and collaborators to partner with in the wellness space. A big part of my vision is creating culturally responsive and community centered wellness opportunities, but there are still relatively few Hmong individuals working in these areas. Building those connections has taken time and intentional effort.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve also experienced moments of self doubt and uncertainty. I’ve had to learn a new environment, skills, navigate unfamiliar territory, and figure out how to grow something meaningful as the new girl on the block. Funding and access to resources have been additional challenges, especially because I want to keep programs affordable and accessible to the community.
At the same time, these challenges have taught me resilience, creativity, and the importance of building community even if I have to start alone. Every obstacle has helped me get clearer about my mission and why this work matters. While the journey hasn’t been easy, it has been rewarding, and I’m committed to continuing to create spaces where healing, culture, and community can come together.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Through Healing Haven and Wellness, my work focuses on creating spaces for healing, connection, and personal growth. My background is in mental health, addiction recovery, behavioral health, and community services, and I bring over a decade of experience supporting individuals through life’s challenges.
Lately, I’ve also been embracing a season of slowing down and reconnecting with myself. I’ve been healing through baking, practicing breath work, learning drumming, volunteering at a local dog shelter, and focusing on my own spiritual growth. While these activities may appear unrelated, they’re actually the very root of my own recovery and reminded me that wellness isn’t just something we teach. It is something we must live and practice.
What sets me apart is that I don’t approach healing from a place of having all the answers. I approach it as someone who has walked through recovery, grief and loss, change, and rebuilding. I am not a one size fits all and I also move with flow. I believe healing happens through community, culture, creativity, and everyday practices that help us reconnect back to ourselves.
What I’m most proud of is having the courage to commit to building something that feels sacred, aligned, and within my values. Rather than chasing growth for the sake of scaling my small business, I am currently focused on learning who my community is by offering intimate, meaningful experiences that foster connection and help people feel seen, supported, and like they truly belong.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best about the city:
One of the things I appreciate most is the strong sense of community. I’ve met many people who genuinely care about supporting one another, and there is a growing interest in wellness, culture, and creating spaces where people can connect. I also appreciate the diversity of the area and the opportunity to build relationships with people from different backgrounds and experiences.
What I like least about the city:
One challenge I’ve noticed is that there can be limited access to certain wellness and healing resources, especially culturally responsive services that reflect the needs of diverse communities. As someone working in the wellness space, I’ve also found it challenging at times to connect with others doing similar work, particularly within the Hmong community. I saw this as an opportunity for growth and collaboration as the community continues to evolve.
I also think the summer heat can be a little intense, but that’s probably something every local understands. 😉
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healinghavenandwellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088019214537
- Other: Healinghavenandwellness@gmail.com
Image Credits
All images belong to Healing Haven and Wellness, LLC and it’s respectful owner, Chandy Vang.
