Sue Greenwald has always been passionate about new ideas, healthy lifestyles and spiritual development, “walking the talk” by teaching yoga for 17 years and becoming a certified holistic health counselor, energy healer and ordained minister. She even operated a wellness center that offered yoga, dance, healing energy treatments, massage and a variety of spiritual and self-development classes.

The Empowered Light Holistic Expo started as an idea that grew and wouldn’t leave. Regularly pulling together gatherings, such as writers groups, networking groups and classes of various types, Greenwald began to imagine how she’d operate an expo as well as other larger events. “I love the dynamic that comes from working with like-minded people,” she explains, “but my first reaction to these wonderings was, ‘No way! You don’t know anything about expos, and where would you find the time?’”

Greenwald listened to the negative voice for six months. During that time her expo ideas grew into a mild obsession, and she realized that this wasn’t just a crazy idea—it was a dream she needed to pursue.

Knowing that the best way to manifest something is to visualize it, Greenwald created a vision of the successful expo she wanted and then took the risk of renting an enormous space at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, in Oaks, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia—big enough to hold the expo she held in her mind. She contacted a variety of holistic practitioners and vendors, beginning with the large number of contacts she had from her wellness center.

Greenwald learned everything by doing it. “I have a saying,” she shares. “Make a decision, then make it right.” She worked night and day, her efforts culminating in the first Empowered Light Holistic Expo in October 2016. A true manifestation of her vision, it was a collaboration of expert speakers and vendors, promoting healthy lifestyles by offering healing products, services, inspiration and information.

Now in its third year, the expo is held the last weekend of April and September in Oaks. The next expo will be held April 27 to 29. Each expo offers over 50 inspiring talks in four different rooms, with last October’s expo hosting several international speakers. The vendor floor promotes more than 100 holistic vendors. Psychic and intuitive readings are available, as well as healthy food samples. “Everyone needs something different, so the expo offers a large variety. Sometimes people need a contact, or a like-minded friend, and it’s easy to make great connections at the expo,” Greenwald offers.

Response to the expo has been so positive that Greenwald is starting a similar expo in Nashville, Tennessee, this October. “I found that I was being called to move away from my wellness center and work exclusively on the expos and other events. They are my passion all day, every day, and I never tire of it,” she enthuses.

Empowered Light has recently added spiritual, light-adventure retreats called Empowering Journeys to their list of events, visiting Mexico in February of 2019 for a light-adventure tour. Also being created are events called Raise Your Vibe, which focus more on workshops with a concentrated theme.

Greenwald offers, “I have big plans for the expo and am trying to ensure that it has a solid foundation before it grows again. I want to make the expo an international success, where people can come for the connection and inspiration that they need. I want to make a really big impact on the world, in my own way.”

Cost: $5-$20 admission, which includes most talks and workshops. Location: 100 Station Ave., Halls D and E, Oaks. For tickets and more information, visit EmpoweredLight.com. April 2018