Meet Henriette Sophia Danielsen, founder of Best of You

Meet Henriette Sophia Danielsen, the founder of Best of You, a journalist and a chocolate lover.

I first met Henriette about a year ago as I came across Best of You, the website and wellness platform that she was, at the time, running with a friend. As we shared a lot of views on life and well-being, I was very excited to contribute my articles to this happiness spreading platform. Since then, I have witnessed Henriette grow and develop her business and passionately pursue her dreams. She talks about that and so much more in this very honest and inspiring interview.

Hi Henriette. Can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi everyone, my name is Henriette Sophia Danielsen and I’m a journalist, writer, and dreamer, originally from Oslo, Norway. Six years ago I lived a few months on Hawaii, found the love of my life and moved to Stockholm, Sweden. I am founder and owner of the lifestyle and wellness platform Best of You, where I want to inspire my readers to a happy and healthy lifestyle. I love wholeheartedly, laugh too loud, smile a lot, cry when I need to and I’m always on the lookout for finding what feels good.

When and why did you start your website, Best of You?

I founded Best of You two years ago together with two friends. We wanted to spread awareness about health and happiness and inspire others to find the balance to live a long and fulfilled life. After about a year I continued the journey together with another dear friend, developing it into the business it is today. It’s a community and a safe place for everyone interested in a healthy and happy lifestyle. Because health is not what you eat, how often you exercise or how you look, it is so much more! It is how we see, talk and perceive ourselves. How we choose to live our lives and what we put our energy into. Today I run it on my own, with a wonderful team of freelancers.

You could say it was created as a counterpoint to all the blogs and magazines that created unnecessary pressure and stress for me over so many years, feeding me with beliefs about how I was not healthy nor good enough. I love yoga, but I also love having a hot date with my sofa and a season of my favorite TV show. I enjoy green smoothies and kale chips, but I also like wine and chocolate (lots of chocolate). Being healthy doesn’t mean you must choose one or the other. It is about finding what feels good and what brings out the best in you. In the end, all we want is to be happy and find the balance to live a long and fulfilled life.

As Dalai Lama once said: “Happiness is the highest form of health”, and I couldn’t agree more.

What kind of services do you and your team provide?

Best of You offers inspiring articles, splendid events within the field of health and wellness and the opportunity for my followers to book consultations with my team of coaches, personal trainers, yoga instructors and nutritionist. My team is a wonderful bunch of ladies who all have their area of expertise, all unique in their own way, ready to bring out the best in you.

You recently quit your job to dedicate your full time to Best of You. What advice would you give to others that are thinking about quitting the safety and pursuing their dreams?

Trust your gut and follow your heart. Don´t let the expectations of others control how you live your life. We are given one life, so why not really live it? Having worked with Best of You for a while, I realized that there was a spot for us in the health business. People welcomed our concept and different approach and I realized it was time to quit my job and work on my passion.

That being said, quitting my job and going against what was “expected” of me was terrifying. It took a lot of crying, soul-searching and overcoming my fear of failure. But after having done it, I have not regretted it, not for a second!

What would you say are the best and worst sides of being your own boss?

Hard one. I love being my own boss, in terms of having the freedom to decide how I want to work, when and where. On the other hand, it can be quite challenging, since I am terrible at making decisions and usually want to hear one or two opinions, before going for what my gut told me in the first place. Vicious circle, I can tell you that! But I usually just consult my poor mom and boyfriend, who always listen and help.

What was one thing that you wish you knew when starting your own business?

That having your own business is an emotional roller coaster. Because along with success, celebratory high fives and fun moments, also comes tears, doubt and hard times. So I would say acceptance of whatever comes your way is something I wish somebody had talked to me about before I headed on this journey. That sometimes you will doubt yourself, feel lonely and be sad, and other times you will be joyful, happy and excited. And that is ok.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned working on BoY so far?

To stand up for myself. I have met people who have stomped all over me, used me for my ideas and mistreated my kindness. And in the beginning, I let it slide, being afraid that people would dislike me. But then I realized that if you´re being too timid, it´s less likely you´ll be taken seriously. In addition, it feels so much better when you start standing up for yourself. Luckily most people are very kind and open-hearted.

The moment in your career that you are most proud of?

I once got an email all the way from New York, from a woman who read my article about how powerwalking is an underrated form of exercise. She wrote that the article had made her see walking in a new perspective. Now she was walking several days a week, leaving the stress of hitting the gym behind. She thanked me for inspiring her and told me it had changed her life. That email will be with me for as long as I live.  Another thing I am very proud of (why to stop at just one, hihi) is the wonderful team I have. A big bunch of warmhearted, kind and smart power ladies I am proud to be working with.

Where do you hope to see Best of You in 5 years from now?

Honestly, I have no idea. I actually avoid business plans and just let what is supposed to happen, happen. Nevertheless, I hope Best of You continues to help and inspire people to a healthy and happy life, without any pressure.

What helps you achieve the best version of yourself?

Being surrounded by creative and inspiring people, who motivate me to be the best version of myself. And yoga. It really helps me stay centered in the midst of the chaos of everyday life. I am therefore extra happy and proud to have teamed up with Selma City Spa in Stockholm, and created City Spa Yoga. Giving both myself, and others the opportunity to practice yoga in a small group, in the coziest of surroundings.

What is happiness for you?

Happiness for me is going for a long walk with my boyfriend, reading a book in front of the fireplace, drinking a glass of wine, eating my favorite cookie, watching a movie, hanging out with friends, traveling, seeing somebody smile because of something I said or did. Everything involving kindness, love, and affection. All the small moments in life, that we sadly so often take for granted.

If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?

I already have a superpower, and that is being me! Trust that you are good enough and magic will happen. You just wait and see.

Big thanks to Henriette for talking with us! Make sure to follow Best of You on Instagram and give it a like on Facebook for your daily dose of happiness and inspiration.