Lyndsey Maher of Soleil Acupuncture & Naturopathic Wellness on Building an Integrative Practice Through Authentic Connection

Lyndsey Maher, CEO and founder of Soleil Acupuncture & Naturopathic Wellness, launched her integrative medical clinic in 2020, one of the most uncertain times to start a business. With a background in naturopathic medicine and acupuncture, she built Soleil from the ground up, navigating both the clinical and entrepreneurial sides of her work. While her early marketing efforts focused on social media, it was through in-person connection and authenticity that her business truly began to grow. Lyndsey’s journey reflects the reality of entrepreneurship: evolving, adapting, and learning that genuine relationships matter more than perfectly curated strategies.

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

I am a CT-licensed naturopathic doctor and master's of acupuncture. I founded Soleil, an integrative medical clinic in 2020 - the most auspicious of times. However, if I can do that and still be here today, I'd say that was the biggest challenge to date!

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

Being that in 2020 most of the world was on socials and online in general, that seemed like the best place to be. But, I struggled with it because I lacked guidance - finding hope in every freebie or paid offer I came across; much to my dismay. Once the world began to open up a bit in Q2 2021, I started to put myself out there in person; whether it was webinars or in-person seminars. I did learn quickly that "selling" was more about authenticity than how many times I posted on instagram that week. People buy from people; they want that genuine connection, and for the first time, advice I found online seemed to track.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Yes! But I didn't know what the word was at the time. When I was a child envisioning my future profession - albeit a lawyer or otherwise - I always knew I wanted to own my own business. Now that I know what the correct word is, I'm also learning that while all entrepreneurs are business owners, not all business owners are entrepreneurs. Selecting the appropriate tribe matters in this context.

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

My entire business and business model is an accomplishment. It is easy to let time pass, focus on the struggle, and forget to look back and see where/how it all started and be amazed. The numbers don't lie when they say most businesses will fail within 3 years of opening and then increasing that number by year 5. We're heading into year 6 in Q3 2026 and I've already had record-breaking months in business and Q1 isn't over yet!

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

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. But to be honest, ignorance is bliss. It's entirely possible had I been told the realities of this path that I may have thrown in the towel before even beginning. So, maybe I'm glad to not have known a whole lot; blank slates transform into beautiful masterpieces.

What did you do before starting your own business?

I graduated in 2010 with a bachelor's in political science, anticipating the career trajectory of a lawyer. Lest we forget, that was also the time of a recession that left many without job prospects and looming student loans; for me, it was no different but law school did not appeal to my senses any longer. However, the prospect of entrepreneurship was always a thought in my mind, irrespective of the specific field I chose. I eventually found naturopathic medicine in 2012 while working as an administrator, completed my pre-med requisites for the doctoral program, and then embarked on my med school journey in 2015. Then there was 2020, of course, not the most appealing of times to start a business, but the universe felt differently, and alas, Soleil was born. 

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

I had always anticipated a clinic of my own, but that was a minimum of five years on the horizon. However, in 2020, with the ever-changing landscape of medicine and the unknowns of jobs, that year either made or broke people; I refused to let myself be the latter. At the time, I was working at another clinic that no longer felt aligned with my personal and professional values. A space had opened up closer to home and it felt kismet. Just a girl, a dream, and endless possibilities.

Do you have any recent wins?

Year over year we increase revenue and January 2026 revenue was my record-breaking month to date! Q1 is set to finish at a record high as well.

Who are your customers?

Like many health and wellness-focused brands, women tend to be more apt to seek out our services to meet their ever-evolving hormonal fluctuation needs. But! It is when they are feeling their best that their husbands then seek me out.

What's your top productivity tip?

Being that I traverse both clinical and administrative mindsets in my business, I have learned not to try to do both in the same stretch of time. Lumping tasks that require the same side of your brain prevents the transition fatigue and as a result my energy is better for it.

What's your favorite business tool?

Notion! I use this for so many aspects of my business, most notably: SOPs and my personal dashboard to objectively assess my own KPIs since there is nobody else doing it on my behalf.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

I stopped trying to find the "balance." I fought this one tooth and nail up until recently when somebody wiser and more seasoned told me the balance is a farce. I say this not to be a pessimist, but rather anything but! This just gives me the permission to have grace with myself when the laundry is piling over in my home because work took more of my time that week. Or when some work e-mails go unanswered because home was front and center that week. My work also warrants travel as frequently or infrequently I would prefer, so turning work trips into partial vacations doesn't hurt either!

How do you avoid burn-out?

See the above :) I genuinely enjoy what I do so I don't mind picking up work on the weekends. It's just a matter of trying to figure out how to squeeze in at least 5 more hours out of a 24-hour day. But don't mistake, I still get my 7-8 hours of beauty rest! I believe the concept of retirement is working till I'm rusty only to "earn" a vacation, so being an entrepreneur, I just say yes to the trips whenever they pop up and block my calendar accordingly. This allows me to enjoy my youth and energy to do the things my older self may not be able to.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Failure is not a destination, it is just an exit on the path to success. Don't take every "no" or hardship as a sign to quit. There are so many times I just want to "burn it all down," but then I realize it is just my time to up-level. There's a reason why not everybody is a business owner and even fewer people are entrepreneurs.

Lyndsey’s story is a testament to resilience, intuition, and staying aligned with your values even when the path feels uncertain. From launching during a global pandemic to building a thriving, multi-year practice, she shows that success is not about perfection, it’s about persistence and growth through every season.

If you’re looking to connect with driven women, gain support, and grow your business with intention, explore the Entreprenista League community and start building meaningful connections today.