Small Business Owner
The other day, a student said to me she visited the studio’s website for the first time and was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to navigate. This turned into a conversation about what small business ownership entails and who is behind all of the administration portion of The Yoga Haven. Sure, you might go to class and see the teacher at the front of the room, but what about the other stuff?
Who creates, manages, and updates the website? Me.
Who navigates the software system, fixes the glitches, updates student accounts and payments? Me.
Who runs the social media pages? Me.
Who cleans the studio between classes and sanitizes the props? Me.
Who provides private classes and continues to reach out to local organizations for collaboration? Me.
Who does the marketing for the studio to make sure our name continues to be spread across the community? Me.
Who balances the books and makes sure taxes get filed? Skeel Bookkeeping. Because Samantha and math don’t mix.
Who makes the updates, changes, and continues to adapt the class schedule? Me.
Who purchases new props and disposes of the old ones? Me.
Who washes, dries, and folds ALL of those blankets? Me [and my husband and children!]
Who offers trainings and recruits new yoga teachers into the studio? Me.
Who answers emails and directs students to understand how to book classes or buy gift cards? Me.
Who answers the phone when any student needs assistance with something? Me.
Who pays the rent and utility bills? Me.
Who decorates the studio and restocks the bathroom? Me.
Who makes sure Samantha is remembering everything all of the time? Marsha [cause let’s be honest, she’s the best!]
Who teaches the classes? Me, and 5 other absolutely incredible women that I could not function without.
When people ask me if I’m worried about training other yoga teachers, who may in turn open a yoga studio down the street from me, I remind them I am absolutely not worried at all. The more, the merrier! Small business ownership is hard. It’s not just dreaming up a beautiful yoga class and providing space to individuals. There is so much more behind the scenes that people don’t get to witness. This studio has continued to grow over such a short period of time, and while my roles continue to grow alongside it, I’m thankful each day that I get to have this job. I have a purpose in life again, and while the creative portion of being at the front of the room is incredible… being the sole individual on the administration team is just as cool. When I tell students this studio wouldn’t be what it is without them, I truly mean it from the bottom of my heart. And when I remind these other yoga teachers how they are the heart of the studio, I’m not exaggerating. Yes, I might be the lady behind the computer making sure all the ducks are in a row, but a mama is no duck without her ducklings.
Next time you visit a small business, thank the shop owner. They are putting in time, sweat, laughter, and tears!
