Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dina Kaplan, founder and CEO of The Path, located in New York, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I run The Path, your meditation community. We are the place for people who want to have an impact on the world and also be mindful, to become a happier, lighter, and freer version of themselves — join us!
Tell us about yourself
I teach meditation and spend a lot of time teaching people to become meditation teachers, but I also have fun, love meeting new people, and love learning. I got into meditation after helping run a tech company and being very stressed but also afraid to really be myself. That led to panic attacks — and a lot of fear in all areas of my life. Meditation really helped save me physically and also slowly gave me the confidence to be myself.
Now I feel like it is my life mission to help others, so they don't have to go through what I did. And now, I will add, I feel more happy and free than ever before in my life. I work a lot, but I also have fun and continually work on carving out more freedom in my mind.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a business owner, my biggest accomplishment is learning to run a company as myself — while being funny and vulnerable and taking time off when I need it. I'm also proud to have a huge impact — I help other people live with more lightness, kindness, and freedom.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things with being a business owner is knowing when to keep working and grinding — and when to take time off to give yourself the time and space to think strategically and also to have fun because I think we do better at a business when we're happier, and we're certainly more pleasant to be around!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If you are starting and growing a business, I would say take at least a full day off all digital communication once a week — so you keep thinking strategically and also continue enjoying your life.
- Find people to do the things you are not good at or don't enjoy doing.
- Find a product that makes money so you don't keep having to raise money - this keeps you close to your market and keeps you honest as a business leader - does my product fit the market, and are people willing to pay for it? If you run a sustainable business, that gives you much freedom, so you can focus on your company and not just raise money continuously (unless you're in biotech or deep tech!).
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
It's important to keep good relations with your family and friends and to have fun in life, even when you're running a business. I try to do something nourishing each day, like dancing or swimming or meeting up with a friend — this keeps me happy and engaged in all areas of my life and makes me a better, happier leader for my team.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.thepath.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepathmeditation/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dinakaplan/
https://www.instagram.com/the.path/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dinakaplan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinakaplan/
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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