Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Emelia Nidel of Samadhi Yoga Sangha, located in Denver, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Samadhi Yoga Sangha is a Denver studio offering classes, events, teacher training, and retreats. Samadhi describes an advanced state of consciousness; Sangha means community. We appeal to practitioners of all experience levels and anyone seeking wellness and community.
We pride ourselves on being a safe space where humans of all backgrounds can find warmth and an inclusive connection. We tend to retain clients who are interested in learning and benefiting from the deep wisdom found in traditional yoga.
Tell us about yourself
I have served in the director role at Samadhi Yoga for seven years. As a yogi whose background is in educational leadership, it has been a great joy for me to implement profound programming with renowned instructors.
Yoga positively impacts people in many, many ways. The response we get from new and seasoned students alike inspires me to keep creating offerings that stir the soul.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
In fairness, I'm not the owner; I do oversee all day-to-day operations. Samadhi is one of Denver's longest-standing yoga studios, originally founded in 2001. It is arguably the most beautiful, aesthetically and energetically. We have hosted highly renowned local and internationally recognized teachers over the past two decades and therefore drawn a very broad studentship.
In May 2020, we announced the permanent closure of our then-three locations due to the pandemic. Our clients were devastated, as were we. Fortunately, thanks to one heartfelt student who assumed silent ownership, we reopened our beloved, original Uptown location in Sept 2021.
Re-establishing and re-defining "new" business systems after being closed for 1.5 years was a big and extremely rewarding undertaking. Returning members were sometimes moved to tears when they came back to the sacred space we had all mourned and missed so dearly during COVID. We have heard that finding yoga and friends at Samadhi has changed and even saved lives!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Honestly, running Samadhi is an honor, and thanks to our lovely team of teachers, staff, and students, my job feels big but comes naturally with regular shows of support, gratitude, and happy customers. On rare occasions, decisions may be judged harshly, and that can feel difficult.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
If you are passionate about your vision, start somewhere, even if you start small. Emulate success. Keep inspired and continue to make new connections. Be open to new ideas but stay true to your mission.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://samadhiyoga.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samadhiyogadenver
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samadhiyogadenver/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SanghaSamadhi
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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