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Elizabeth Lesser, co-founder of The Omega Institute, and author of “The Seeker’s Guide – Making Your Life a Spiritual Adventure” and “Broken Open – How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow”.

I first heard about the Omega Institute by reading Elizabeth Lesser’s first book “The Seeker’s Guide”, which was recommended by the instructors of the yearlong Spiritual Depth Course I took at One Spirit Learning Alliance.

Elizabeth Lesser

Elizabeth Lesser was a midwife and birth educator before starting the Omega Institute with her two co-founders Pir Vilayat Khan and her then husband Stephan Rechtschaffen. Elizabeth recalls being interested in having a spiritual life since a young age, and by the time she was fifteen, she was reading books on philosophy and spirituality. When spiritual teachers started to come to the United States from India, Elizabeth found mentors and kept learning. Pir Vilayat Khan had the idea of starting a university to teach how to discover one’s purpose in life and how to develop oneself psychologically and spirituality. Stephan and Elizabeth were responsible for building the Omega Institute. Although they had no business experience, her ex-husband is a medical doctor, and she has a degree in education, they self-taught all strategies needed to make the business a success. Read more

Wendy Kaufman, Founder and President of Balancing Life’s Issues Inc.

What was your education and professional experience? Were they helpful in starting your business?

Wendy Kaufman

I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Syracuse University and a Master’s Degree in Industrial Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.  Following graduation, I worked in human resources, career placement and held various positions at universities. Then for several years I worked as an independent consultant before forming my own company, Balancing Life’s Issues, Inc.  Combining my education, life and work experience, I found my clients responded to my down-to-earth, direct and honest approach and insights related to work/life balance issues.

When did you establish your business?

I incorporated BLI in 2001.

How did you spot the opportunity? How did it surface?

I was doing well as an independent consultant and my schedule was overflowing; I actually had to turn down opportunities- this was a key moment for me.  It was then that I decided to start building my business by hiring other speakers who shared my same passion and approach. Read more