Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey by launching a yoga business, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Felicia Schmid owner of Asanas & MORE Yoga, based in Illinois, USA.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey to where you are today....
I took my first yoga class while pregnant with my 2nd child. This was in 1998. I have a congenital heart defect and my doctor wanted me to slow down with all the physical workouts I was doing for I was considered high risk. Since I knew I needed to move my body, I had a memory pop up of me walking in on my dad's cousins doing yoga when I was very young.
This brought me to the idea of trying to find a yoga class. There was not anything called 'prenatal' yoga back then, let alone the myriad of books we now have access to. I was lucky to come across a traditionally trained instructor at my local park district. After my first Shavasana, I knew this was something special for I had the energy to conquer the world vs. wanting to crash like how other exercises affected me while prego. I was happier and more content and motivated to handle marriage and a young toddler at home, too. While my prego body grew, rain, sleet, or snow never got in the way of me missing a class. That is how much I LOVED it.
Within a year, my teacher approached me and said she thought I would make a great instructor. She sought out her teacher and I began the first of many pieces of training in what is now my lifestyle and livelihood. I began teaching in 2002.
I am a certified yoga instructor at the master advanced level (500E-RYT), certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), certified clinical Ayurveda Practitioner & health educator (CAP), certified marma & pulse instructor, and certified yoga trapeze and SUPyoga (stand up paddleboard) instructor. I am recognized by the National Ayurveda Medical Association and the International Association of Yoga Therapists. My experience and knowledge are very rich and diverse. I will always be a student first. I practice what I preach so it makes it easy vs. 'work.' I LOVE what I do! I get a thrill watching students learn traditional' yoga.' Those 'ah ha' moments get me every time.
I have always been a person who felt a love for functional movement and activity, sprinkled with healthy food and lifestyle choices. I just love feeling STRONG, mentally, physically, and emotionally. This is what drives me forward.
I am someone who enjoys the challenge of running a business as my background was in the Corporate World as a Legal Administrator. I like the independence of running my ' show,' yet enjoy being a part of a community of like-minded people who find happiness through the movement of body, breath, and mind.
I opened my first yoga studio in the early 2000s and ran that for close to 6 years. Yoga was not as accepted or popular back then as it is now. People would throw eggs at my windows and bash in my mailbox. It took a lot of grit for me to continue going, but I knew this was something special that I wanted others to experience. I knew how yoga made me feel, internally and externally and how my Path was important to help others 'heal' or 'deal' from the inside out. Fast forward to over 2 decades and here I still am...more in love with what I do than ever before. I do know that my corporate background working closely with senior-level executives and the big 'C's has lent itself to my successes. I also know that I am wiser with my business model and better at setting boundaries now, too.
This is just a snippet of who I am.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a solopreneur?
Helping people 'heal and 'deal' from the inside out. My battles with mental illness on a personal level drive me forward as well as some serious physical setbacks and limitations.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I helped to spearhead the first informal yoga therapy training in the far western suburb of Chicago called 'Good for What Ails You.'. I am most proud of helping others heal through the practice of yoga.
What do you believe has led to the success of your business?
Being driven with kindness. I am successful because I put in the 'work' with self-study and training. I have concrete knowledge that works. I show respect to the elders in my field and am always a student first.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
Create a Business Plan, Stay in your Lane, and Have Integrity.
What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance and to keep it all together?
I set boundaries and don't take on more than I can chew. I speak up and advocate for myself. I am not embarrassed to say 'no, that will not work for me.' I exercise often, get out in nature regularly, eat a healthy diet to maintain energy levels to be in this field of work, and get plenty of sleep.
Where can people find you online?
Website: https://www.asanasyoga.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsanasandMore/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asanas.and.more.yoga.ayurveda/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share then email community@subkit.com, we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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