Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dina Kaplan, founder and CEO of The Path, located in New York, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I run The Path, your meditation community. We are the place for people who want to have an impact on the world and also be mindful, to become a happier, lighter, and freer version of themselves — join us!
Tell us about yourself
I teach meditation and spend a lot of time teaching people to become meditation teachers, but I also have fun, love meeting new people, and love learning. I got into meditation after helping run a tech company and being very stressed but also afraid to really be myself. That led to panic attacks — and a lot of fear in all areas of my life. Meditation really helped save me physically and also slowly gave me the confidence to be myself.
Now I feel like it is my life mission to help others, so they don't have to go through what I did. And now, I will add, I feel more happy and free than ever before in my life. I work a lot, but I also have fun and continually work on carving out more freedom in my mind.
Do you have daily rituals for work / wellness / fitness / mindfulness?
I have daily fitness and mindfulness rituals that I love, and that keeps my body and mind feeling (mostly!) great and even.
Every day, I guide a client in meditation for 20-40 minutes. Because we have such a nice ritual with this, it almost feels as if I am meditating even when I guide him. I absolutely love this time, and it starts the day beautifully.
After the meditation, I go running and do just half a mile to a mile every day. It may not sound like much, but I feel great afterward, and I love how consistent I am with this!
After the run, I walk for three minutes to make sure my heart rate goes down. Then, I do weights for my arms because I know it's important to build muscle as we get older. After the weights, I do yoga for around 8 minutes, including pigeon, so I'm quite flexible with this now after three years of doing this every day. My hamstrings used to be very tight, but I also do downward dogs every day, so that helps a lot with this.
But that morning routine is sacred, and I try to do that before looking at my phone or at least before looking at emails or texts.
I also have a mindfulness whistle that I wear around my neck, so if I have a moment during the day when I feel impatient or frustrated, I'll use that to bring myself into presence - or I'll rub my thumb with my index finger - this may sound silly, but it brings me from the mind into the body, and even that simple gesture brings me into a place where I can be mindful and choose my responses to people and situations rather than acting in a way I might later regret.
I also try to walk as much as possible each day, including between meetings and calls. I love to move, and this also helps with email addiction, which I know so many people face right now!
And perhaps most importantly, when I'm with people, I don't look at my phone, and I definitely do not check it during meals. I love in-person time with family and friends, and I really don't interrupt this by looking at my phone - I want to look up at them and be present in the conversation!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a business owner, my biggest accomplishment is learning to run a company as myself — while being funny and vulnerable and taking time off when I need it. I'm also proud to have a huge impact — I help other people live with more lightness, kindness, and freedom.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things with being a business owner is knowing when to keep working and grinding — and when to take time off to give yourself the time and space to think strategically and also to have fun because I think we do better at a business when we're happier, and we're certainly more pleasant to be around!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If you are starting and growing a business, I would say take at least a full day off all digital communication once a week — so you keep thinking strategically and also continue enjoying your life.
- Find people to do the things you are not good at or don't enjoy doing.
- Find a product that makes money so you don't keep having to raise money - this keeps you close to your market and keeps you honest as a business leader - does my product fit the market, and are people willing to pay for it? If you run a sustainable business, that gives you much freedom, so you can focus on your company and not just raise money continuously (unless you're in biotech or deep tech!).
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
It's important to keep good relations with your family and friends and to have fun in life, even when you're running a business. I try to do something nourishing each day, like dancing or swimming or meeting up with a friend — this keeps me happy and engaged in all areas of my life and makes me a better, happier leader for my team.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.thepath.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepathmeditation/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dinakaplan/
https://www.instagram.com/the.path/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dinakaplan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinakaplan/
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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