Today we’d like to introduce you to Tobie Bunievatz.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always been a rock collector. As a kid I would pick up a rock from everywhere we went. When my dad passed I had a dream that he told me I needed 16 lbs of selenite. I had no idea what selenite was, but I had to have it. I found myself drawn more and more to these beautiful stones, not really knowing why. I had no idea it was all about energy.. I remember buying boxes full of random stones. Eight large boxes later my husband asked me what was I thinking of doing with all these stones. Out of my mouth flew, “I’m going to open a store.” Halfway joking halfway just to appease his questions. Two months later I was introduced to a friend and she offered me the space to open the shop. The shop did well from the get go. Even through Covid we thrived. I poured my heart and soul into the store, handpicking every stone. I studied Reiki and became a Reiki Master and developed a deep understanding of energy and how the universal laws applied to everything and everyone including stones. I then opened my private holistic practice, helping individuals to walk through their trauma with the love and support that was needed to overcome their past. Four years after we opened the shop I founded a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit for adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. My son is disabled and unfortunately there was nothing in this area for him after high school. So I created it. I poured my heart and soul into Bubtown Community as the executive director.. Now we have 27 Bubtown Community members and we are continuing to grow. Last year I opened our meditation room as a new addition to Stones of the Heart, where I host biweekly guided sound meditations. Stones of the Heart has been open for seven amazing years and this month, we closed our doors forever. My private practice and my meditation room will remain open. I have been running two businesses and a nonprofit for the last three years and my heart is in all of them. I have a very large vision for Bubtown, but my time is very divided. I had to choose, something had to go. I have helped 100’s of people over the years at the shop, but I am going to help so many more where I’m going next. I’m excited to see where the next chapter takes me but sad about what I’m leaving behind. It’s like I am losing a part of who I am, but strangely gaining the remembrance of who I’ve always been.
My next step of the big vision is to open a dayhab for adults with disabilities with a simulated town inside it. It will be fully functional and sustainable. Then to incorporate a transition program for high school students to transition out of high school into adulthood, and gain the skills necessary to thrive. We need to bring more attention to let people know who we are, what we want to do and find the necessary people to help us make it happen.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes, with the shop, everything has flowed well. I believe that it was all in divine timing and everything happens exactly how and when it’s supposed to. The toughest struggle I have had, and why it’s taking so long for Bubtown to grow is believing in myself. Looking back I had to go through the last seven years at Stones of the Heart and my private practice to show myself who I was and what I was capable of. I needed to remember that I had to believe in myself. It made me who I am as did all of my past experiences and traumas. I love who I am, all aspects of myself, what I stand for and I know my worth and what I deserve. It took me 49 years and seven years at the shop and my office to say and wholeheartedly mean it.
As you know, we’re big fans of YOUnique Healings . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
In my private holistic practice I offer Reiki sessions. Reiki is an old Japanese form of healing. Moving negative and stagnant energy out of the body. Trauma, emotions, experiences are all energy, we are designed for energy to move through us, coming in through the top of the head and moving through the body and out the feet. But because we are human we hold on to this energy, telling the stories over and over again reliving it and holding it in our body. Reiki moves this energy. I also offer transformational sessions which is sessions that includes homework. Walking through childhood/adult trauma, opening to another perspective to move through it instead of avoiding it. Bringing an understanding of how energy works in the body and in life in general in conjunction with the laws of the universe. Moving from loathing oneself into a place of loving oneself. Bridging spiritually, psychology and sociology.
What were you like growing up?
I was always the one who spoke up when I believed something wasn’t right. Very outspoken and could be almost argumentative if I knew I was in the right. I didn’t belong to any one click in school, I got along with everyone. Never judged anyone, loved deeply and unconditionally and very sensitive. Even though I got along with everyone I always felt very alone. Very adventurous and loved the “unknown”
Pricing:
- Reiki Sessions $125
- Transformational Sessions $45 per hour
- Sound Bath $111
- Public guided sound meditations $20
- Private group guided sound meditations $25per person min of 6
Contact Info:
- Website: Www. BubtownCommunity.org
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/bubtowncommunity
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobie-bunievatz-73612737b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
