Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hedy Iankelevich, Movement Teacher at Movement for Life, located in New York City, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Movement for Life is a program thoughtfully and creatively designed for older adults. They are movement classes to improve quality of life through body conditioning, mobility training, and building physical confidence. The innovative teachings focus on therapeutic movements that strengthen your bones & muscles, improve balance, mobilize your joints, and uplift your heart.
The current Movement for Life students ranges from age 60-92. The community continues to grow, mostly through word of mouth, as the students share their positive experiences with their friends and families.
Tell us about yourself
I started teaching yoga in 2010, and a few years after that, I became very interested in embodied anatomy and biomechanics. I dove deep into my studies by learning the Franklin Method.
It wasn't until 2016 that my path really began to reveal itself. I started working one-on-one with my father because he was dealing with aches and pains in his body. He was never drawn to yoga, so I brought in some different tools I had been exploring - resistance bands for mobility & strength and massage balls to release tension. He was amazed by how good his body could feel even at 70! I realized that this kind of movement method for seniors was not available to the general public, so I created a class specifically for them. Within months, the good word spread, and people began flocking to my classes.
I decided to call these classes 'Movement for Life' because that is exactly what they are. We practice techniques and exercises that prepare us for everyday living, i.e., carrying groceries, getting up and down from a chair or the floor, and walking down the street, feeling confident in our body to move about the world. We even practice breathing and mindfulness techniques to help with stressors and worries that can potentially develop in our later years.
The motivation to do what I do comes from the joy of teaching this community. It is truly an honor to be able to serve them in this important way.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment so far was to part ways from a successful yoga studio I had been teaching at and start my own business. It wasn't easy. The studio was my safety net for a long time, and teaching there served me in many ways. I grew so much as a human, made soul friends, and my teaching evolved exponentially during my time at the yoga studio, and for that, I will be forever grateful.
However, when the pandemic hit, everything inside of me was telling me it was time to spread my wings and fly. I was strongly called to create my own platform, share my own voice and find and build a new community.
Also, getting Baby Boomers to join an online program is no small feat, but once the technical difficulties were dealt with, many realized the many perks of virtual classes.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a business owner, you have to be prepared for a never-ending conveyer belt of ideas that will (hopefully) be flooding your mind. Don't get me wrong. It's wonderful to feel inspired and to find something you can throw yourself fully into. I truly love it, yet, it can feel overwhelming at times. It can be challenging to tune your business out when you need and want to focus on other things like family, self-care, recreational activities, your relationship, etc.
Your growth and earnings fully depend on your ability to stay focused, clear, and motivated. And for me, I currently am a one-woman show, handling all customer service, tech, accounting, creative brainstorming, and teaching. Challenging? Yes. Worth it? Hell yes!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Being a business owner, no matter the size is a large responsibility if you want it to survive and thrive. Entrepreneurship is something that really needs to call to you.
My top three tips for someone looking to start, run and grow a business today are:
- Stay focused on your mission and learn to take risks, both big and small, without getting too discouraged if something doesn't go as planned. Everything becomes a lesson, never a failure, if you stay the course.
- Connect connect connect to your clients/community/audience. Phone calls, emails, check-ins, surveys/polls, feedback forms, etc. Don't be afraid to hear what they have to say! Listen to what they need and adjust accordingly. Even with our clear vision, we must be malleable and adapt to what our clients actually need and want (which can change over time).
- Be open to understanding all the parts of your business (finances, website design, customer service, etc.), and I'm a big fan of learning to 'Do It Yourself' as much as possible. Eventually, you will be able to find support where support is needed, but I think it's important to have a really good grasp on all aspects of your business before you delegate responsibility. I have only just recently hired a branding coach who designed my beautiful logo!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://movementandyoga.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hedy.iankelevich
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hedyalicia/
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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