Exclusive: Jami Lee Avery Re-Launched The DEN Meditation to 'Help' Others: 'We Empower People'

It's no surprise that Jami Lee Avery became the Co-Owner and CEO of The DEN Meditation, as she began working at 13 years old.

From fashion retail to waitressing to real estate, Avery has done it all, but now she's focused on The DEN Meditation, where she is the co-owner with her husband, Justin Ballatore.

"The DEN Meditation specializes in tailored wellness experiences including retreats, classes and training for corporate clients, groups and individuals. Our expert network of vetted practitioners offer meditations, sound baths, breathwork, reiki healing and many other holistic practices deeply rooted in community, positivity and self-growth. In addition to in-person tailored experiences with a majority based in California, The Den offers members access to our online classes and archive with hours worth of classes, sessions and more," the businesswoman exclusively tells Morning Honey.

"The digital platform allows for access anywhere, anytime. Existing classes in the archive influence meditations, Reiki healings, psychic development, human design, tarot, ecstatic dance parties and many other modalities for you to choose from. This is ever growing as our live classes online are always stored in the platform," she continues.

Though she's dabbled in many different things, Avery admits she "struggled with finding my purpose in life" when growing up.

"I was torn on how to accomplish my goals, and participate in a society that expected work and life balance while also feeling incredibly drawn to spirituality and helping people. In times of personal turmoil, I often found myself leaning into spirituality — looking to the universe for answers that I couldn’t find on my own. Ultimately looking to the Universe/God/A higher power to truly help guide me into my purpose. I’m someone who needs a cathartic release for my emotions, and that’s not always something that’s so acceptable, but I feel though this release not only allows me to feel a relief but also calls to the universe to send me where I am meant to be," she notes.

From there, she moved to L.A. at 18 years old to continue college and start on her first yoga teacher training certificate and work even more within the customer service industry.

"I found myself drawn to careers and jobs that at the core of them, helped people," she recalls.

After graduating college in 2015, Avery and her husband co-founded their first consulting company, The Cauzmos.

"The Cauz was our umbrella to help clients in whatever capacity they needed around health, wellness and positive living. We planned retreats and events around the world, worked closely with our clients on strategy, planning, marketing, innovation and organization, and began our passion of building 'The Network.' Essentially the network was our rolodex of healers, practitioners, and down right bada-- individuals who were a very special part of our healing journey," she shares.

In 2021, Avery's friends Rose Theodora and Tal Rabinowitz reached out to her to discuss working with The Den, as change was needed.

"As a consultant within the wellness space, I love a conversation like this and welcomed it," she explains. "I took over The Den with my husband Justin, as co-owners and leaders within the wellness community, welcoming the opportunity to work with a renowned space with open arms. We took a giant leap of faith and cannon-balled right in."

She adds, "We see The Den as the next iteration of The Cauz — it’s our purpose and what the universe presented to us. Through our events and services expertise we pivoted the business from a brick and mortar wellness space in Los Angeles, to a wellness on wheels model, merging the idea of custom curations at homes, events, retreats and more with the existing community around The Den. We continue to expand The Den to allow for more exposure through wellness practices allowing us to help people, and with our digital platform we have gone global — hosting retreats across the world, and allowing for access to privileged ancient practices that can help people everywhere."

Avery didn't "know" she wanted to be involved with The DEN Meditation, which "provides people with experiences to feel good and leave them with tools to be their own best healers," but when the opportunity came along, she felt it was something she couldn't pass up, especially since "health and wellness practices" keep her going.

"My background is not traditional for a business owner, my success and current life are a result of prioritizing myself and health and wellness in my life, as a means of survival. I am the child of addicts, the undiverse delt me incredibly difficult cards, and I learned how to navigate them at a very young age. When I’m at a loss of what’s next, or what to do — I lean into prayer. When I was 8 years old, I moved in with my grandparents who guided me to a path of health at a very young age," she says. "Alongside their guidance, and the spirit guides that follow me, I worked diligently to prioritize health and wellness as a means for survival. It’s a non-negotiable for me, and it WORKS. The world expected me to end up like my parents, but I had to actively prioritize my mental well-being and health in order to stay on the right path. So for me, health and wellness means putting in the work every single day."

Ultimately, Avery hopes people can feel their best selves after being part of The DEN.

"The health and wellness industry has quite a stigma surrounding it. Some believe that you must wear all white or be completely vegan or fully sober — I respect it — everyone’s journey is unique and special. I applaud it and encourage it if that works for you, but there is not a one-size-fits-all to healing. Healing looks differently on the daily, on the weekly, over the years, and to everyone," she says. "I encourage people to try something new — try a new modality, a new class, a new event style ... if you hate it, don’t do it again. As we advance as a global community, we must continue and strive for change. It is one of the only things that is certain in this life."

"The DEN Meditation is a vibe and an energy. My partner and I, as the primary owners of The DEN Meditation, are experts in wellness, connecting and event production and have put our whole hearts into The DEN. This sets a stage for people to come and experience with that intention and energy behind it," she says of what makes them stand out in the wellness industry. "With over a decade of experience in wellness event production, we are consultants with an extensive network of practitioners, teachers and facilitators. We take the time to curate, organize, and shape every experience with each individual client based on need, budget and theme. Whether it’s a five-minute sensory and empowerment activation in a pop-up DEN Camp at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Resource Fair, a private hour long sound healing event for your colleagues at the office, or a week long Intuitive Healing retreat in Sicily — we touch people deeply and create experiences that are everlasting."

Avery, who is "truly obsessed" with her husband and loves working with him, is excited for more people to get involved with her company going forward.

"I hope The DEN will expand on what we are doing today, thoughtfully curating experiences for people around the world. Expanding the team, expanding the network, expanding our reach to more individuals and spreading access to wellness nationally and globally," she says of future goals. "And don’t forget to play and find joy in the little things. Life is too precious and short to let it pass you by."

She concludes, "I hope to inspire others through my joy. I hope to inspire people through experiences and time spent. I hope to inspire people through ecstatic dance parties. I hope to inspire people with my story. If I can do it — you can do it too. Our work is who I am. I would not be here today without taking a truly holistic approach to healing. Life is a dance, I started with trauma and I was shown yoga. Through yoga, I incorporated meditation which has brought me into making my job, my life and my adventure — yoga retreats, traveling with and building a community. The world has become so anxious and lost, people are looking for solutions and answers to heal themselves. The DEN is that solution and self-healing is the answer. We empower people/community and give them some really powerful opportunities to experience."