Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicole Hayman-Sherman, Owner of Just Breathe Yoga Studio, located in Rome, NY, USA.

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

Just Breathe Yoga Studio & Registered Yoga School. Individuals who are interested in practicing yoga asana, meditation, and the other aspects of the science of yoga. Plus, individuals looking to become yoga instructors as well as meditation teachers. We also offer continuing education courses and higher teacher training courses for those yoga teachers looking to level up or add to their education.

Tell us about yourself

I was a teacher at Just Breathe Yoga studio 10 years ago when the current owner asked me about purchasing the studio. Her son, who had special needs, was headed to kindergarten the next year, and my daughter was graduating from high school and would be heading to college at the same time. In addition to being an instructor, I was also running my own marketing consulting business, which I had begun in 2002 after being laid off from my job as a regional marketing manager the year before. The owner made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and in January 2013, I became the new owner. I vowed when I turned that key the first time as the owner that I would make it so I could teach yoga to anyone; at the time, I only had 300 hours of yoga teacher training and no specialized training whatsoever. I love yoga and sharing all the great things about it with others, not just the yoga poses but all the rest. It motivates me to continue MY education and offer comprehensive training and courses to others. Yoga is a lifestyle, not just an asana practice.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

If I was asked this question before COVID, I am certain my answer would be extremely different from the one I have today. My biggest accomplishment is having survived 6+ months of being shut down; we evolved the studio and school into what it is today. We reopened at the end of September 2020 as a hybrid yoga studio and have thrived. The online presence that we have developed has allowed us to accomplish many things we would have never thought of before the shutdown. We have students come into our classes virtually from all over; when students travel, go camping, or head south, they still come to class just online vs. in-studio.

Additionally, I have yoga teachers from all over the US who have taken my continuing education courses. I have also mentored other yoga teachers in the UK and British Columbia, Canada. These things I would’ve never imagined before March 2020. I tell everyone today you have to move with the times; you can’t do business the way you did in the past because, in the long run, you won’t thrive or survive.

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

The many, many, many hats you have to wear. I’m the lead yoga instructor and the facilitator of all of our training and continuing education offerings, but I am also the be-all, end-all for all day-to-day operations as well, even though I had a wonderful staff who are willing to help whenever they can. But ultimately, there are some things you just have to do as the owner. You need to be good at multitasking.

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

  1. Be true to the mission of your business. We’re a yoga studio & school; it’s ALL we do. We’re not a fitness center; we only offer yoga and various aspects of the science it is. Never stop learning and growing within your mission. I have since 2013 added 1000 hours of training and multiple certifications myself to do what I can for every student who comes my way.
  2. Be prepared to roll with the times and those punches. We got knocked right down in March 2020 and realized we had to do whatever it took to get ourselves online and fast to stay viable while we could not open our physical doors. We jumped in with both feet and made many mistakes as we did, but we kept learning, evolving and moving forward however we could. And we built a side of the business we never imagined, and it continues to grow and evolve to this day. From January 2021 to January 2022, we quadrupled the number of virtual-only students. Don’t be afraid to try something new, even if you are unsure about it. I know many yoga studios that gave up their online/virtual offerings once they reopened their physical doors because they didn’t see it as worth the income. Keep in mind that the newest thing you offer or do won’t necessarily be the most profitable at first.
  3. Don’t go into business, especially when you first are starting out thinking you’re going to be able to make huge profits; realize you are going to have to crawl a bit first and be willing to put in the time, the work, and the effort to make it work. Being a business owner is not simple, nor is it always easy. You’re ON from the moment your eyes open to you shut them at night. But it can be VERY rewarding.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.justbreatheyogastudio.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustBreatheYogaStudioRome
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbreatherome/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/justbreatherome

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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