Ridgefield Business Spotlight: Pure Awareness Ridgefield

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series we’ve kicked off at Patch — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

• Business: Pure Awareness Ridgefield
• Owners: Dr. Mark Lombardo
• Address: 9 Grove Street
• Phone: 203-885-2269

How did you come up with the name?

The name points to the set of skills that I teach and the direction in which my clients move. It describes a state that arises when you pay attention in a certain way. That state of being goes by many names and the one that has always resonated with me is Pure Awareness.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?

I live in Ridgefield and appreciate what a unique place this is. I have had an office in Manhattan for many years and found that it was finally time to start working here as well.

Briefly, what business are you in?

As a clinical psychologist I am in the business of teaching and helping. I teach skills that help people become more fully present for everything and anything that life has to throw at them. To the extent that my clients become experts at mindful awareness, every situation becomes workable. I teach this to groups and individuals.

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

After so many challenges during years of education, training, and employment at various settings, having my own practice is a pleasure.

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?

No. The bigger the challenge the bigger the opportunity. If you want to get better at surfing you want the challenge of bigger and bigger waves. That being said, I don’t consider myself and entrepreneur.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

I enjoy working with athletes and helping them transform and elevate their game. I recently had a client win a national competition and she is now going to be competing at an international and professional level. She should be very proud of her achievement. I am proud all of my clients who make the commitment and transform themselves through this work.

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?

I teach something that can only be taught to a certain point and then it has to be experienced if it is to move forward. It takes creativity, imagination, and steadfast commitment on the part of my clients to turn the teaching into practice and a way of life. As we move forward together I learn from each of them and put it back into practice.

How do you deal with difficult customers?

There are no difficult customers, only good teachers.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

It is my hope that for everyone who chooses this path it has at the very least a positive ripple effect on everyone they touch.

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