Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julie Martin, owner of Brahmani Yoga, located in Kamuela, HI, USA.

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

I train yoga and movement teachers to introduce functional mobility and movement pattern exploration and work in a fully embodied practice. I travel all over the world, training facilitators, as well as having an online platform for courses and live classes.

Tell us about yourself

I love movement. I started as a dancer when I was a teenager and knew then that I would be happiest working with people to move and feel free in their bodies. Everyday, I am grateful that I get to do work that I love, that makes others feel good and makes me feel good in return.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I discovered early on that, it's about making people feel good. This goes way beyond the actual work. I know now that people need to be heard, their 'why' matters greatly, and regardless of the service you're offering, you have to be open to hearing why they are interested in what you offer.

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

Sticking with your integrity and not getting sidetracked in order to make more money or have more 'followers'. This sounds counterintuitive, but when you create and provide from a place of truth within yourself, ignoring what the status quo is doing, you open yourself up to go above and beyond what others are doing. You immediately stand out from the crowd. It's not about putting pressure on yourself to be ahead of the game but rather offering what you are most passionate about and staying true to that. Then, the money and the audience appear, and you feel great about what you do every day.

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

  1. No matter what ideas you have, if at least one other person/business is out there doing the same or similar, then it's possible. So don't listen to anyone who says otherwise. If it sets your heart on fire, then go for it!
  2. Don't have a 5 year plan. Again, this sounds counterintuitive to any bank manager. But having a definitive plan of where you want to be can often stop you from moving in a creative direction you hadn't thought about in the beginning. Give yourself an outline, but part of that should allow freedom to explore new directions and opportunities as they arise. Many people regret not acting on something that popped up because they hadn't planned for it.
  3. Failure is positive and encouraged. You can't expect everything to be perfect from the get-go. Life itself is a learning process, so jump into your venture with curiosity and know that when something doesn't work it doesn't mean it's wrong, it me

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.brahmaniyoga.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brahmanijulie/

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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