Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sara Merrick-Albano, Founder In Waves Yoga LLC, located in Watertown, CT, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
As a yoga therapist, I help people use yoga techniques to manage their chronic health conditions. I specialize in working with low back pain and autoimmune diseases, but clients come to me with a wide variety of conditions ranging from shoulder and knee pain, to chronic migraines, to fatigue, to anxiety, to eating disorders, to looking for help feeling grounded during life transitions. I work one-on-one with clients to help them develop a yoga practice that is short, accessible, and that works to achieve their goals and ease suffering. Yoga practices might include postures, breathing, meditation, chanting, and/or philosophy. I teach people tools to bring themselves back into balance and help them discover the healing potential within themselves.
Tell us about yourself
I've been practicing yoga for over half my life, and I've found it helpful in managing my depression and autoimmune condition. I started teaching yoga while I was in college. After college, I worked as a chemical process engineer, which satisfied the technical part of my brain, but I knew I wanted to help people and ultimately decided to leave the engineering field. Yoga is an individual path, and yoga therapy uses yoga in a very targeted way to help achieve the individual's goals. This is something that can't be achieved in a group yoga class. I love developing relationships with clients and seeing them learn more about themselves using yoga. Ultimately it's not about me - it's about the client taking the initiative for themselves, doing the practices, and meeting their goals.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I've started getting word-of-mouth referrals!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Everything comes down to me. It's a great feeling being in charge of what I do every day, but sometimes staying on track can be difficult. I've learned to lean on community and mentors and ask for help when needed.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- As an introvert, the "sales" portion of running a business can be scary. Some of the best advice I've received is to remember that I'm just sharing what I've learned after years of training. The scary "sales" feeling goes out the window when I look at a call with a potential client as an opportunity to educate and not as an ask for money.
- Growth takes time! There will be times in the process when you doubt yourself because it looks like you're not growing at the same rate as other businesses around you, or you have a setback. As long as owning your own business is something that you still want, do your work with integrity and keep going.
- Just because an opportunity comes your way doesn't mean you have to take it. Make sure any opportunities you take are in line with what you are trying to achieve in your business and your life.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://inwavesyoga.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwavesyoga/
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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