Written by SaraLi Forouzanfar and interviewed by Nicole Fernandes.
Embark on a transformative journey towards holistic wellness with dot, the social enterprise dedicated to making wellness easily accessible, personalized, and empowering. Rooted in a profound commitment to empowerment and inclusivity, dot is revolutionizing the way individuals navigate their wellness journey. Join us as we explore the organization’s mission, values, and vision for a more accessible and equitable wellness landscape.
Sharing Our Mission
SaraLi, the visionary behind dot, embarked on a deeply personal journey to redefine wellness and empower individuals to live their best lives. As the founder of dot, SaraLi's mission is to create a holistic wellness ecosystem that transcends traditional boundaries, connecting individuals with the resources they need to achieve balance and fulfillment in every aspect of their lives.
From her own struggles with chronic mental health conditions since childhood, SaraLi developed a profound understanding of the challenges individuals face when seeking wellness support. Faced with fragmented systems and limited access to tailored resources, SaraLi recognized the need for a more comprehensive approach to wellness—one that prioritizes accessibility, inclusivity, and empowerment.
Driven by her unwavering commitment to making wellness support more accessible, SaraLi founded dot, a groundbreaking platform designed to simplify and personalize the way individuals access resources. Through dot, SaraLi seeks to empower individuals to take control of their wellness journey, offering a wide variety of resources spanning the eight dimensions of wellness. From mental and physical health to intellectual and spiritual well-being, dot provides a one-stop destination for individuals seeking holistic support and guidance.
Empowering Wellness: Fostering Equity and Dignity
At dot, we believe in the power of empowerment for all, especially those living with disabilities. We recognize the importance of creating opportunities that foster equity and dignity within our society. Our founder, SaraLi, understands firsthand the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and is committed to their well-being and equitable access to resources.
Through our platform, we strive to empower the disability community by providing access to a wide range of wellness resources tailored to their unique needs. From implementing tiered-pricing for therapy to offering life-spanning career support, dot is dedicated to creating a system that allows every individual to feel dignity and empowerment in their lives.
By embracing the principles of inclusivity and accessibility, we aim to create a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Through our collaborative efforts, we can work towards a future where individuals are confident in navigating their wellness journey and empowered to reach their full potential and live their best lives.
Navigating Wellness Challenges: A Personal Journey
Founder SaraLi's journey to founding dot is deeply rooted in her personal experiences with mental and physical health challenges. From the young age of 12, she has grappled with chronic mental health conditions, laying the foundation for her understanding of the complex and often fragmented healthcare systems. Through her own experiences navigating these challenges, SaraLi recognized the profound need for a more accessible and comprehensive approach to wellness.
For her, the motivation to focus on making resources accessible stems from a personal place. As she encountered the complexities of the healthcare system, SaraLi experienced firsthand the barriers and challenges individuals face in accessing essential resources. From long wait times and limited availability to disparate infrastructure and support systems, she witnessed the profound impact these barriers had on individuals' ability to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Determined to create change, SaraLi embarked on a mission to redefine the wellness landscape with dot, a platform designed to bridge the gap between individuals of all backgrounds and the resources they need to thrive.
Identifying Challenges in Resource Accessibility
SaraLi's personal experiences highlight several key challenges inherent in the current system of resource accessibility.
One of the most pervasive barriers is the limited understanding of wellness beyond physical and mental health. At its core, dot is built on the concept that true wellness encompasses a holistic approach that addresses the interconnected aspects of well-being, including intellectual, social, occupational, and spiritual dimensions. By challenging these misconceptions and advocating for a more comprehensive understanding of wellness, dot is creating a more inclusive and accessible wellness landscape for all.
Another highly significant barrier is the disjointed nature of available resources, which can lead to confusion and frustration among individuals seeking support. The lack of coordination and integration between different wellness domains exacerbates accessibility challenges, making it difficult for individuals to access comprehensive support tailored to their needs. Navigating the multitude of options can be overwhelming, particularly for those grappling with complex health issues. There are sometimes prolonged and arduous processes of finding the right combination of resources that effectively address individuals' unique wellness needs. The journey towards wellness is also often hindered by limited access to tailored support and the absence of a singular hub of resources that are easy to navigate.
Dot aims to address these challenges by providing a centralized platform that streamlines the search for resources and promotes a holistic approach to wellness. By leveraging technology and community-driven initiatives, dot empowers individuals to take control of their wellness journey and access the support they need to thrive.
Overcoming Misconceptions and Barriers
Misconceptions and barriers often hinder the availability of resources for individuals seeking wellness support. At dot, we recognize the need to address these challenges and work towards creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for all.
One common misconception is the limited understanding of wellness beyond physical and mental aspects. Many overlook the importance of the other 6 aspects of wellness, such as intellectual, social, and occupational wellness, in achieving overall well-being. By raising awareness and promoting holistic wellness, we can help individuals understand the interconnectedness of these aspects and their impact on health.
Additionally, inadequate infrastructure and support systems further compound the challenges faced by individuals seeking balanced wellness. Limited access to resources and opportunities due to geographical, financial, or social barriers can prevent individuals from receiving the support they need. Through our platform, dot aims to bridge this gap by providing a centralized hub where individuals can easily access a wide range of wellness resources tailored to their needs.
The lack of a centralized, trusted source of wellness services, products, and information is another missing piece - one dot addresses directly. Resources are not easily found, with short lists listed on websites, recommendations from friends not always the right fit, and online providers unable to demonstrate what makes them distinct and trustworthy with the current directory options.
By addressing misconceptions and breaking down barriers, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, dot is committed to promoting equitable access to wellness resources and empowering individuals to lead healthier and happier lives.
Harnessing Technology for Accessible Resources
Through dot, founder SaraLi is committed to leveraging technology to improve resource accessibility for individuals worldwide. By creating an innovative platform that connects individuals with a diverse range of wellness resources, dot aims to break down barriers and empower individuals to take control of their wellness journey.
One way technology improves resource access is through the use of video conferencing platforms, which have become increasingly popular, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These platforms allow individuals to access resources and support services from the comfort of their own homes, eliminating geographical barriers and increasing convenience.
Dot aims to further enhance resource access through our online wellness marketplace. By leveraging advanced technology, such as AI-powered search algorithms and side-by-side comparison tools, we help users find the right services that meet their specific needs. Additionally, our platform will feature video introductions of service providers, allowing users to make informed decisions and find the best personal fit.
Linked social logins also play a crucial role in enhancing resource access by enabling users to receive recommendations from friends and connections. This social aspect of our platform helps users discover new services and resources based on trusted referrals, fostering a sense of community and support.
By harnessing the power of technology, dot is committed to making wellness resources more accessible to everyone. Utilising technology as a powerful tool for change, SaraLi envisions a future where access to wellness resources is easy, personalized, and holistic.
Enhancing Accessibility and Funding Success Stories
To enhance equitable access to resources, we must focus on several critical areas. Firstly, fostering a strong community engagement is vital. By encouraging individuals to share and onboard their services onto our platform, we create a centralized hub where people can easily discover and access the resources they need. This fosters trust and strengthens our wellness community online.
Secondly, we recognize the importance of supporting small businesses. These businesses often value and prioritize the well-being they provide in their services, making them valuable contributors to the community. By nurturing and empowering these businesses, we can expand the range of available resources and ensure a more diverse and inclusive wellness ecosystem.
Lastly, raising awareness is key. We must advocate for a broader understanding of wellness, beyond just physical and mental aspects. By promoting awareness within our community and through partnerships with organizations, we can educate individuals about the holistic approach to well-being and the resources available to support them on their wellness journey. Together, these efforts will help us create a more accessible and equitable wellness landscape for all.
In summary, dot is committed to fostering equity and accessibility in the wellness space. Through our innovative platform and partnerships, we strive to empower individuals and providers alike, ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to live their best lives. We are dedicated to breaking down barriers and building a more inclusive and supportive wellness community for all.
Dot is not just a marketplace—it's a movement dedicated to empowering individuals to prioritize their well-being and live their best lives. Together with June Adaptive, we are committed to promoting inclusivity and ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive. Join us in our mission to empower accessibility and create positive change for individuals living with disabilities.
Products that foster inclusivity
The top 3 products from June Adaptive's Inclusive Threads that SaraLi personally likes are:
Restore Yourself - Gender Neutral Sweatpants
Inner Peace - Gender Neutral Crewneck Sweatshirt
Embrace The Stripes Of Uniqueness - Kids Hoodie
Follow dot.'s journey on:
Website - thrivewithdot.com
Facebook - Thrive with dot.
Instagram - @thrivewithdot.
