Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stephen Fletcher, Owner of The Yoga Circle, located in Birmingham, AL, USA.

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

We teach in-person yoga sessions, usually in a heated environment, providing physical cues and philosophical musings to inspire growth and moral discipline in our clients. Our clients come from all ages, races, and backgrounds, and we welcome them all.

Tell us about yourself

I was not very big on the school in general and dropped out of Berklee College of Music after two years of not thriving. Not wanting to work in restaurants for the rest of my life, I looked for a trade that I might be good at and where I could be my own boss. I ended up in massage therapy. I ended up working at an Ayurvedic spa for a while, and they started offering hot yoga down in the basement. I started participating and fell in love with it.

Within a year, I went to teacher training in LA, came back, and started teaching at the one and only studio. That studio closed eventually, and there was a void, but people still wanted to practice. I opened up in 2005 on a whim in a very small, somewhat dingy space, and it took off. I stay motivated as I see the benefits people receive and the feedback they give on how it has impacted their lives.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The biggest accomplishment has to be simply that I'm still here 18 years later and how many people's lives we've touched. No single accomplishment but the overall effect on our community.

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

All the red tape of taxes and fees and hoops you have to jump through to keep up.

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

  1. Keep it as simple as possible. It's going to get complicated enough as it continues.
  2. Know what you represent and make sure you love what you are doing. Your love will come across naturally, and it allows you to be yourself, and clients will respect that.
  3. Get a good accountant, and make sure to offload as much of the 'paperwork' type stuff so you can continue to do what you do without feeling overwhelmed.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.theyogacircle.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheYogaCircleAL
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyogacirclebirmingham/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theyogacircle
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-fletcher-6a2633a/

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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