Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fitness & health, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Yamuna Zake, from Yamuna Brand and Yamuna Body Rolling.
Tell us all about your business...
Our customers are people interested in their health and wellness. People who are injured or have suffered in their bodies and unable to get the right help find us. Yamuna creates self help education and products to use that give people self help tools to self heal. Our customers range from the 20s up to the 80s.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a solopreneur?
I started practicing Hatha yoga at fourteen years old. Health and wellness has been a big part of my life. I create all the Yamuna work. It began with me developing a body work called Body Logic that I practiced for over 35 years treating all kinds of structural aches and pains. I have spent over sixty thousand hours doing this healing work. At a certain point I realised I could only reach a certain number of people with this work. I took a ball to see if I could work on myself using my weight into the ball and give myself a session.
This was the beginning of Yamuna Body Rolling. This work has grown over the last 25 years to reach 37 countries with certified practitioners globally. From this work I created the Save Your Body parts series, Yamuna In Bed series, Yamuna Foot Fitness, Yamuna Breath Work and Yamuna Yoga. I have written 3 books and created a line of self help products, and beauty and wellness products.
Every decade I look to see what my body needs to teach me now so I can help more people. I am in my 60s and I look forward to seeing what my body will teach me in my 70s and 80s. Everything I learn I share with those who are interested.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Reaching more people every year and being successful doing what I love every day. And knowing that so many people are making a good living sharing my work and we are all helping other people get better in their bodies and lives daily.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a solopreneur?
Having to make tough decisions. Having to go to court because someone broke a contract as a practitioner and hurt many other practitioners in doing so.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
Love what you do. Put your whole self into at first and that includes your own money, make sure you can do your business online and globally so you do not have to get stuck in any one place.
If there was one thing you could do repeatedly to help grow your business, what would it be?
Find a partner who can do all the things we do not like to do. Repeatedly, I would public speak more and present my work at conferences more but since we are mainly online these days maybe that is irrelevant.
What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance and to keep it all together?
I spend each morning doing a 60-90 minute breath class. I try to write in my journal daily. I spend a couple hours on the mat creating new work but this is both work and life. I surround myself with good friends.
Who are some of your favorite entrepreneurs and best business resources/books?
Basically Yael, my daughter and I have created our brand from the ground up. We have attended some business and marketing conferences but in the end we do it ourselves.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
We spent a great deal of money along the way hiring marketing companies and never gained any benefits. Unless the people you hire really get you and what you are doing they will not be successful getting you to where you want to go. In the end we wind up doing it ourselves.
Where can people find you online?
www.yamunausa.com, Facebook @yamunabody Instagram @yamunabody but I hardly post there because I write a lot.
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.