Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with E. Annette Yates, Founder of SETAY Dance and Fitness Event Center, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Studios @ Setay offers affordable space rental. Our customers offer community dance and fitness classes, workshops, and events. We also rent space to healthy lifestyle practitioners to offer services such as massage therapy, reiki, reflexology, and other stress-relieving modalities.

Tell us about yourself

Three weeks after relocating to Phoenix, AZ, and being downsized from my IT Career, I joined a fitness center that was next door to my new home. Within the next three weeks, it was closing due to a downturn in the economy.

After interrogating the owners as to why their clients only received a seven-day notice, I unexpectedly offered to purchase the studio. My motivation for being focused on ensuring the success of my new business was triggered by the impact my business model was and still is making as a healthy lifestyle center in South Phoenix, which is considered an underserved community.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has been to successfully execute my business model without employees. I realized when I reviewed the books that I could not afford employees, so I used my technology skills as a Solopreneur to financially sustain my studio through the pandemic in a low-income community for thirteen years.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The hardest thing that came with being an unexpected business owner is that my personal retirement funds have now been totally depleted.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

The top three tips I'd give to someone considering business ownership and growth are:

  1. Prepare financially.
  2. Seek assistance from mentors (Score.org).
  3. Prepare a business plan and develop a budget.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Although my retirement funds have been depleted, my clients and I have been able to maintain a healthy lifestyle as a result of my ownership of Setay. I feel balanced knowing I have been able to pay it forward to many who appreciate what I have sacrificed.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.studiosatsetay.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Setay2014/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/setay2014/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/setay2014
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annette-yates-setay/

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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