Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stephanie Romero, founder of Awaken Pittsburgh, located in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The work of Awaken Pittsburgh is to support personal transformation through mindfulness and meditation practices and programs. We support those who serve others to manage their stress, improve their social and emotional intelligence, and increase their wellbeing.
Tell us about yourself
I saw how mindfulness transformed my own life and my work as a K-12 teacher. I also saw how my fellow teachers were getting burned out and, as a result, we were no longer able to support their students -- they had lost their joy. So, after I finished my doctorate (and had written a dissertation on mindfulness in education), I decided the biggest impact I could have was to bring these practices into our educational spaces in a systematic way. Soon enough, we realized that not just educators need our offerings!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is inspiring others to support our work and also join our programs and offerings! Each time one of our participants tells us how they have a new outlook or how our tools have improved their relationships, it motivates me to do more.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There are never enough resources to meet the great need we see in our communities. Having to turn away clients because we don't have funding is the hardest thing.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure you have at least a few co-conspirators that can support you, even if only morally!
- Surround yourself with mentors that have more knowledge and experience than you do -- you don't have to have all the answers/knowledge, but you need to know who to ask.
- Persistence is the key. Nothing happens as quickly as I imagine or wish, but with persistence, you will succeed!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://awakenpittsburgh.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AwakenPittsburgh.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaken_pittsburgh/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/awakenpgh
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/awaken-pittsburgh/
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.
