Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kevin Aylward, Founder of Yogasana, located in Saint Paul, MN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Yogasana is a brand of hand-made, sustainable yoga mats made from organic cotton. Our mats serve yogis in the U.S., Canada, EU, UK, and 30 other countries worldwide.
Tell us about yourself
My previous company made cotton rag rugs in India. Our expertise is weaving cotton. I was asked by a major yoga brand in the U.S. to make a cotton mat under their brand name. We decided instead to develop our own brand, Yogasana. Yog = union | asana = posture. In India, yoga poses are called yogasanas. We are dedicated to serving the yoga community and committed to helping preserve the traditional weaving profession in India and treating our valued workers, partners, and yogis with respect.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Through our foundation, Yogasana Circle, we donate $5 for each mat sold to help educate the children of our production workers in India. These funds are used to purchase school supplies. We believe karma is real.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It's important to stay focused on your overall mission. It's easy to get distracted by the latest social media buzz & e-commerce "gurus' making promises of instant success. Focus. Focus. Focus.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
'Find a niche' and 'own the niche.' Know your most important metrics: traffic, conversion rate, and average order value. Keep your financial house in order. A good bookkeeper and accountant are vital members of the team.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
We try and follow Gary V's advice of "give-give-give - ask." At Yogasana, we try to keep giving, and everything will be in balance. It's the law of karma. Namaskar 🙏
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://yogasanamats.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YogasanaMats
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogasanamats/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/YogasanaMats
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-aylward-7470239/
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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