I recently watched Lemonade, a documentary about people in the ad world who had been laid off and because of it changed their lives by doing what they loved. They no longer had to worry about click-through rate, the size of their clients logos, or arguing about whether Pantone swatch 109 is really a “happier yellow” than PMS 110.
I could really relate…after working at Renegade, a marketing and ad agency for a mere 2 years, I was laid off over the phone while I was thousands of miles away for Thanksgiving break. I could have been sad, discouraged, and scared or I could view this change as an opportunity to figure out what I really needed and more importantly, what i wanted from my new career. Don’t get me wrong, waiting in line at the unemployment office in the middle of Brooklyn wondering what I was doing with my life wasn’t a high point but I had an opportunity to choose my next move. And of course I didn’t think it was just ironic that I finished my 200-hour yoga teacher training only 1 week before or that the definition of renegade is “to break away from established customs.” Maybe the universe was trying to tell me something?
Fast forward 434 days and here I stand or should I say, in Tadasana, wrapping up my first day teaching a yoga class for my very own yoga studio. I used to be an employee of Renegade, working in a high-rise building in Manhattan. Now I’m in Colorado showing students how to reconnect and enjoy the simple things. I am happier than ever, doing what I love and so thankful for the pink slip that made it all possible.
I had a chance to walk around the RiNo art district yesterday to let our neighbors know about the new kids on the block, The Yoga Mat. It was so encouraging to see how diverse our area is and how genuinely excited everyone is to unroll their mats with us!
Stop by for our first class this upcoming Monday, February 8th for our 7:45am all level Morning Flow class at Green Spaces!
Sign-up for our introductory 2 weeks for $20 and be down dogging with us for 14 days! WhooHoo!
As of Monday I registered my first business as The Yoga Mat, LLC. I had been throwing around names for a year or so but finally got serious and put pen to paper. Everything I heard and saw became unwillingly squashed next to the words Yoga Studio in hopes I would stumble upon the perfect name. I was mentally exhausted.
This whole process reminds me of when my step-mom was pregnant with my sister Blaire. Prior to her birth we had no idea how to refer to her so eventually we went with calling her Baby Sheneneh, as in Sheneneh from the popular 90’s show Martin. Ridiculous I know. How did we ever convince my step-mom to nickname her unborn child after the cross-dressing, sassy weave technician, Martin Lawrence? Needless to say Blaire ended up with plenty of sass…Sheneneh would be proud.
Over the past few weeks I have been thinking about my nameless business as the “Sheneneh Yoga Studio.” I knew it would never catch on and wouldn’t be properly appreciated…much like the 2010 version of Martin Lawrence. So what is in a name?
Oddly enough in my case, after weeks of late night brainstorms I realized I had been sitting on the name the entire time (literally)…The Yoga Mat. Simple, inclusive, minimalist and a blank slate. It was perfect. Each person brings their own story to the mat, their own reason for being there, and most importantly their own practice.
Much like a new parent, I am excited for the future. Elated, proud, and scared to death at the same time. I’m excited for the journey and hoping I don’t screw this one up.
It’s official. I have quit my day job to start my own yoga studio. Let me introduce…The Yoga Mat, LLC.
Here I am the proud owner of a new company. Now what? In between the crazy spurts of flyer making, website changes, logo designing, planning partnerships, managing expenses and time lines, and watching cheesy tutorials about how to write a business plan, I am completely engulfed by my fair share of hell yea’s and holy shits. It would be interesting to see a bar graph of my enthusiasm vs. complete and utter panic.
I have found a great space called Green Spaces in the RiNo art district in Denver. They partner with green entrepreneurs and assist them while starting their business. Lucky for me they have a great mission along with an amazing space (exposed brick, skylights, awesome art everywhere) and surrounded by smart, creative people. What more could I ask for?!
I’ll be posting a lot more often and will most likely have to break down and start a twitter account. Grrrr.
Thanks to everyone for all the support and encouragement. I am humbled by all the help brainstorming, researching, and especially the late night pep talks.
I noticed that I write a lot about time on this blog. It can consume me; even paralyze me from acting at all. Which is a completely ridiculous thought.
I’m in the process of looking for a new job and trying to open my own yoga studio in the vague future. I know I want it. I know I could do it, but it’s damn scary to move.
I’m really curious where the vivacious, overly enthusiastic kid from 1986 went.
At what point did I stop being incredibly excited about the things that seemed so unobtainable? When did I evolve from idealistic and empowered to realistic and overwhelmed?
I used to write letters to the St. Louis Zoo asking them to uncage their animals.
I tried out for the part of Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz at the age of 5 (even though the role of the munchkin would have been much more fitting).
I told my mom I would never live in the same city I was born in when we visited Chicago for the first time.
And when I packed up my things to move to NY alone I felt more secure and inspired by the city, knowing exactly what I wanted and how I was planning on getting there.
Fast-forward 4 years, I’m loving my life but realizing somewhere along the line I lost my drive to be the first, the best, or the most steadfast. I never thought I’d be 26 and working a job to merely “pay the bills.”
So today I’m making a list. I’m tapping into the Erin from 1986 and figuring out what it is that I really want from my career because clearly it’s not showing up on my doorstep marked Urgent.
Webster’s dictionary describes opportunity as:
1: a favorable juncture of circumstances
2: a good chance for advancement or progress
A “favorable juncture of circumstances”? I realize I have been haphazard in my attempt to create the future I envisioned for myself but I am making it a priority and starting a new timeline. I’m starting at 0…I can only go up from here and that is damn exciting.
“Be who you are and say what you feel. Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter, don’t mind.”
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know.”
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
“Be who you are and say what you feel. Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter, don’t mind.”