In this soulful conversation, I sit down with Gina Martirano — yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner, and founder of Empathic — to explore what it really means to build a business rooted in empathy, intention, and community.

We talk about her journey from corporate burnout to curating a shop that uplifts women-owned, minority-owned, family-owned, and small-batch makers — and why supporting these brands is about so much more than buying a product. It’s about storytelling, connection, and remembering that our energy matters.

Gina shares how she uses her empathic gifts as a strength in both business and healing work, and how she creates authentic safe spaces for others to be seen, heard, and supported. Together, we dive into the power of collaboration over competition, the rising demand for mindful, quality-made products, and the deeper emotional and energetic realities of being an empath in a fast-moving world.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that our sensitivity is not a burden — it’s a superpower.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Empathy is a superpower. Gina reframes empathic traits as gifts — the capacity to hold space, offer compassion, and truly see people.
• Storytelling matters. Every product she carries has a maker, a mission, and an energetic imprint worth honoring.
• Community over competition. Gina shares how collaboration among women-owned businesses fuels collective growth.
• Energetic boundaries are essential. Rituals, intention-setting, and visualization help empaths hold space without absorbing others’ emotions.
• Quality > quantity. Consumers are craving intentional, meaningful items — not disposable purchases.
• Creating safe space is an act of empowerment. Safety isn’t something we “give” someone; it’s something we create conditions for through presence, openness, and respect.
• Supporting small businesses is world-changing. Where we spend our money is a reflection of our values — and a lever for cultural and economic impact.

You can find Gina and her store Empathic online at https://shopempathic.com. You can also find her products at various boutiques in the Chicago suburbs including at Lumi Studio & Shoppe in Mount Prospect.

You can also find her on social media @shop.empathic