When the pandemic hit, Alexis Espinoza-Arrubla realized she needed to get out of her comfort zone and share her expertise. The result of this realization was FernVibes, which she launched in 2021 in Queens, NY. FernVibes is a small business offering sound therapy and wellness services to moms and kids. Their sound therapy or sound healing session are infused with SEL (social emotional learning) and mindfulness exercises. They also certify adults as Sound Therapists for kids and adults. Both classes and certifications are offered in-person and virtually.
Through her small business, Alexis offered a mindfulness and wellness program for kids and it grew so much that, in 2024, she decided to create another organization just for this program. The second organization, Fern Foundation for Kids, is a non-profit registered as a 501 (c)(3) that teaches self-regulation skills to sensory sensitive children through mindfulness practices such as movement, guided sensory relaxation exercises, and mindful creative exercises. It also provides resources to adults in both English and Spanish. Their services are either free or low cost. Their mission is to provide services to as many children as possible regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Below is an interview with Alexis:
Why Did You Decide to Go Into This Industry?
I used to be a Social Researcher (M.S.) and studied social behavior in our communities, specializing in generational trauma and social behavior in youth. At the same time, I was a yoga and mindfulness practitioner. These practices helped me and my children manage stress and overstimulation, especially in my daughter, who is autistic.
During the pandemic I witnessed the communities I had researched deal with challenges that I had techniques to help with. I decided to offer children and moms a holistic approach to deal with stress and overstimulation.
How Has the Business Grown Over the Years?
The business has flourished into two separate entities. Before moving to Omaha I lived in Queens, NY. While I was there, I started teaching moms yoga online through FernVibes as NYC Covid restrictions closed yoga studios and many did not open again. After this, I started kids and moms yoga at parks, gyms, and dance studios. That is how my kids mindfulness and wellness program started. I started teaching kids yoga and mindfulness classes at schools and collaborated with nonprofits and local businesses. My kids mindfulness and wellness programs in my small business, FernVibes, grew so much that by the time I moved to Omaha in 2024 I decided to separate this program from FernVibes.
What Do You Think Sets You Apart From Other Businesses in the Same Industry?
What separates me is my background. As a previous Social Researcher, Latina, autism mom, and bilingual person, I have a unique lens to social behavior. I understand cultural complexities play an important role in social behavior and managing stress, especially in children and moms. That is what motivated me to certify as a mindfulness educator, sound therapist, experienced trauma informed kids and adult yoga educator (E-RYT, YACEP, RCY) and more.
What Do You Like About Living and Working in Omaha?
EVERYTHING!! People are kind, there are great outdoor spaces, lots to do for FAMILIES, a big secular homeschool community…I have also created meaningful relationships with local businesses and organizations such as The Riverfront, Joslyn Art Museum, We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym, Latino Center of the Midlands, and other holistic practitioners.
What Are Your Plans for the Next Five Years in Business? 10? 25?
In five years, I want the foundation to have a dedicated, beautiful, calming, restorative space for sensory children and caregivers to practice self-regulation skills and train others in what I do: holistic approaches to social behavior.
In ten years, I envision FernVibes as the go-to virtual and in-person destination where moms and kids can experience transformative sound therapy sessions. I also want it to be a trusted brand where sound therapists confidently learn to guide sensory-sensitive children through sound therapy with expertise and care.
In 25 years, I want the foundation and small business to have created a lasting ripple effect in how sensory-sensitive children are perceived in regards to social behavior. Currently there are a lot of opinions about children’s social behavior and even stigma in sensory-sensitive children’s behavior. We need to address this so that our society can be an inclusive space and have compassionate, thriving emotionally resilient, sensory-sensitive individuals.
If You Could Choose One Thing You Enjoy Most About Your Business, What Would it Be?
Interacting with kids. They are compassionate, kind, smart, out-of-the-box thinkers and honest. They do not hold back that fire and kindness, which is a perfect combination.
How Do You Give Back to the Community?
I offer free yoga classes, free mindful kids run club, free guided hikes that introduce Spanish vocabulary and collaborate with other organizations to offer workshops in English and Spanish.
What is the Best Piece of Business Advice You Ever Received?
We have a responsibility to share our gifts and insights. What we offer has to be rooted in love and greater good for ALL. We have to leave this world a better place for ALL.
Do You Have a Business Mentor?
I joined a group run by Beth Powers called Inner Circle. The mastermind group Beth runs has provided me with an amazing support system. It is a group of brilliant women who are kind and knowledgeable bosses and leaders and together we support each other with insights, tips, suggestions…you name it. This group is instrumental in my work.
Is There Anything Else You’d Like to Add?
I see business as a social movement.
