Hailey Fernelius on Somatic Money, Bookkeeping, and Wealth That Feels Safe

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

I am Hailey Fernelius,a Somatic Money Coach and Bookkeeper who helps women entrepreneurs build wealth they actually feel safe holding. I blend nervous system regulation, somatic tools, and clean financial systems to help my clients shift from money anxiety into clarity, confidence, and expansion. After years of bookkeeping for service-based businesses, I’ve seen firsthand that money problems aren’t just about strategy, they’re stored in the body. My work brings the emotional and practical sides of money together so women can earn more, keep more, and grow in a way that feels aligned instead of overwhelming.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Yes and no. I never really had a clear vision for my career. Working in restaurants gave me freedom… until it didn’t. Entrepreneurship became my ticket to freedom and adventure. So the short answer is yes, I’ve always known I wanted to be free, and entrepreneurship has been the ultimate path to creating that life.

Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

When I first launched my business, I joined a coaching program to help me get started. I went on a retreat, made some friends, spent over $15,000… and gained one client. I thought social media was the key to marketing, but I was terrified of being seen. I even created a freebie that brought over 200 people onto my email list… and then did absolutely nothing with it. Suffice it to say, I had no clue how to market my business to my ideal clients, but it was a masterclass in learning what doesn’t work, and it set me up to figure out what really does.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

I’m most proud that I’m still here, building my business on my own terms. I’m proud that I’ve allowed myself to pivot when things didn’t work out, trusting that each shift brings me closer to the business and life I truly want.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

One thing I wish I had known when I started my Entreprenista journey is how to book meaningful coffee chats and actually have conversations that aren’t just a sales pitch. Building real connections takes more than showing up, it’s about curiosity, listening, and creating genuine value. Learning that sooner would have made networking and collaborations feel so much easier and more fun!

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

I haven't hired yet!

What did you go before starting your own business?

I came from the restaurant world, waitressing, bartending, managing, and earned a Bachelor’s in Strategic Communications with a minor in Business. I had zero entrepreneurial examples in my family, but I learned the power of uncapped income behind the bar. Same hours, totally different tips depending on the night. It showed me that money responds to more than effort, it responds to alignment, connection, and skill. That lesson became the foundation of the work I do now.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I took the leap to start my own business because I was ready to travel and see the world while building something that was mine. I knew I was meant for more than waitressing, bartending, or managing, and owning a business felt like a safety net to make that possible. I didn’t start with a crystal-clear vision, I just knew I wanted freedom and adventure. Four years later, I’ve pivoted more times than I can count, and it’s been a blast creating a business that’s completely, unapologetically me.

Do you have any recent wins?

One of my biggest wins from the past year has been officially adding Somatic Money Coaching to my title and services! After years as a bookkeeper, hearing money meltdowns from entrepreneurs at every stage of business, I realized somatics and money truly belong together. I’m so excited to help female entrepreneurs shift their relationship with money, feel more ease in their business, and experience the kind of confidence and flow that makes growth feel effortless.

What's one app on your phone that you cannot live without?

TikTok- its my inspiration, my dopamine hit and one of my favorite ways to connect and interact with a community that can only be built there

Who are your customers?

My clients are women entrepreneurs who are ready for a different relationship with money. Some are making great revenue but operating from burnout and fear. Others are unintentionally playing small because stepping into their full earning power feels scary. If you’re craving more ease, more trust, and more aligned income, that’s where my work comes in.

What's your top productivity tip?

My top productivity tip: don’t push through, move through. When a challenge in your business, or a limiting belief, is blocking you, don’t grind harder. Instead, move your body, breathe, stretch, shake, or do whatever helps release the tension. Keep going until you feel the shift or the answer shows up. Productivity isn’t about forcing it, it’s about letting your body lead the way.

What's your favorite business tool?

QuickBooks - it helps manage and track finances easily and can be automated for efficiency

What's your approach to work-life balance?

I approach work-life balance by building it into my schedule. I love spontaneous adventures AND I love my business. I know my limits and when I’ve had enough of either. So blending work and life in a way that feels natural makes everything flow easier, and keeps me energized and inspired for both.

How do you avoid burn-out?

Somatics! I listen to my body, move through tension and allow the answers I need to come to me

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

My advice for aspiring Entreprenistas: make friends, schedule as many coffee chats as you can, and stay open to collaborations. Rise with your community, share your wins, and support each other along the way. You are not alone, and success isn’t just possible, it can be achieved and enjoyed by everyone.

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today

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