Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Danielle Ryan, Founder and Yoga Instructor of Lifestyle By Design Studio, located in Muskoka, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I offer mobile and private yoga experiences for people looking to explore yoga, but are maybe unsure where to start or aren't comfortable attending public classes.
Tell us about yourself
I started my business in 2018 when I was in a really dark place in my life. I was working a traditional 9-5 job and felt a lack of fulfillment in my day-to-day life. I knew there had to be more to life, and I understood that the only way to make that accessible was to change something. So, on my 26th birthday, I took a bit of a risk, booked my yoga teacher training, quit my job, and launched my business. My philosophy has always been around this idea that we only have one life so, we might as well pursue the things that keep us excited!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
A few things come to mind, but one of them is definitely being able to stick to entrepreneurship through the hard times. There have been a lot of lessons learned, failed attempts and ideas that didn't quite stick, and a pandemic to boot! Learning to iterate and persist in the face of all of those challenges has been quite the feat.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I think for me, the isolation aspect can be hard. I live in a small community, and there aren't a ton of young entrepreneurs here. Sometimes not having that sounding board for feedback on ideas can be really hard. Further to that, staying motivated in those times when things aren't quite working can make things tricky. There's no rule book in being a business owner, so every day, you are learning and just trying to figure it out along the way!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Really solidify your idea. Who is it you want to serve and why? How is your offer going to speak to them?
- Don't be afraid to start. I had zero business experience starting out. Don't be afraid to google your way through the stuff you don't know and figure it out as you go.
- Changing your mind is okay. Just because you thought your business idea was great at first, it's okay if you change it later down the line. Take feedback, and adapt as needed.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.lifestylebydesignstudio.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifestylebydesignstudio/
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.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.