I didn’t set off to become an entrepreneur in the yoga world, at least not in the business plan, get backing, explode-onto-the-world kind of planning. My success and growth has been more like I think I can, I think I can.
Tip #1 Risks are fundamental to business
Eleven years ago my dad cautioned me about making yoga a career. With less than $200, I printed up business cards and flyers on my computer, signed up for a door-hanger ad, and anxiously waited to see if anyone would show.
I was a yoga pioneer. There were no other yoga classes or studios in my area. I talked to owners in different cities, but ultimately it was me rolling the dice, taking the risk. What I learned from this trial and error technique was that if I screwed up, I could readjust and try something else.
The element of risk never leaves your business. Whether you’re breaking new ground or following in someone else’s path, you have no guarantees that it will work for you.
Tip #2 Your heart needs a say in your decisions
When my dad advised me away from yoga, he had valid, logical reasons for why it would fail. While yoga is a creative endeavor, the business end of it is all logic so I appreciated his input.
The trouble with logic was my heart kept interrupting my head. Do it. Do it. Give it a try. If I’d only considered the rationale, I’d have quit before I started.
Logic is always there and all too often businesses don’t let enough emotion in. In yoga there is a balance of energy, yin and yang and I try to bring that into my decisions.
Tip #3 Don’t overly focus on your competition
There will always be competition. Sort of.
I’m no longer the only studio or offering the only teacher-training program in town. I don’t ignore my competition, but I don’t obsess over them either. About twice a year, I check in to see what they’re doing then re-focus my efforts on my branding and offerings.
Your business has a unique selling point (USP) that makes you different from your competition, no matter how similar your products or offerings. Stay focused on abundance—there are enough clients for all of us.
Tip #4 Plan and then allow for detours
The more I’ve planned for something, the harder it’s been to obtain. This doesn’t mean I never plan. Just like a road trip you have to know where you’re going but be open to different routes.
When I allow my business to operate organically is when the best results occur. In the past, if I planned step-by-step, worked like crazy to make it happen, I was usually disappointed.
Now I let the business show me where I need to focus and have learned detours can be opportunities in disguise.
Tip #5 Celebrate all accomplishments
When you’re in the middle of a business, making ends meet, it’s hard to appreciate your accomplishments.
Through my I think I can, I think I can attitude, I’ve opened a yoga studio. Created a teacher-training program. Sold my studio. Created a second teacher-training program. Franchised my teacher-training program across the nation. Opened another yoga studio.
Best of all, I created a business I’m proud of. A business that touches thousands of lives directly and indirectly AND allows me to be at home with my biggest accomplishment ever, my son Ethan.
About the author:
Shannon Caldwell has been involved in yoga for 14 years as a student, a teacher and business woman. In 2001 she opened the first yoga studio in north Texas, and in 2003 founded Purple Lotus Yoga, a nationally recognized teacher-training program. Her most recent ventures include Purple Lotus Yoga Studio, a student-teacher focused venue, and expanding her teacher training to multi-states. She has spent more than a decade in the world of yoga, educating thousands of individuals about the benefits of yoga. She continues to share her love of yoga through writing, training, coaching, and speaking.
I asked the public for their stories of how they’ve made change happen to celebrate the $100 Change Program. Shannon stepped up to write her journey of change and I thank her for that.