Hey everyone! I met Caitlin at the Namaslay® Business and Marketing Retreat last year in Scottsdale, Arizona. She’s a go-getter, and since our weekend of workshops, her business has grown exponentially. I’m so excited to see her successes and the growth of the attendees at these retreats. They’re so much fun to lead! We’re hosting another in Austin next month, and I can’t wait to meet the next group of entrepreneurs ready to amp up their business. I’d love to see you there! Read about Caitlin’s experience below, and if you have any questions, drop them in the comments! xo- Candace
A year ago, Candace posted on social media that she was hosting a Business and Marketing Retreat in Arizona. Like most things on social media, I thought “Oh, that would be cool to go to,” and carried on with my day. After a few weeks of seeing it here and there, I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe I should look into it more and possibly attend. Once I sat down to reserve a space, it was already sold out. My spirit was crushed by the fact that I would have to miss it. Having graduated from a Yoga Teacher Training program just a few months before, I wanted to learn more about the business side of yoga. A few weeks later, a spot opened up! If that isn’t a call from the universe, then I don’t know what is.
A few months later I flew from California to Arizona for the retreat. I was nervous about investing the money into the trip and not knowing what to expect, but when I arrived all of those nerves suddenly lifted. I was greeted by Candace and was introduced to the other entrepreneurs attending the retreat. There was kindness and an instant bond amongst all of these strangers who came from across the States for a common goal. Almost a year later, we are all still in contact and supporting each other.
The retreat was packed full of information. We had multiple learning sessions each day about how to market ourselves and our business. Candace encouraged us think hard about what “our brand” was going to be and what makes us each stand apart from all of the other yoga instructors. She gave us tools to determine who we would be serving as instructors in order to market to our desired community.
Candace gave real scenarios on how to host retreats and workshops, create passive revenue streams, pitch ourselves to companies, and most importantly build this beautiful yoga community. We worked individually and collectively to take the information we were being given and put it into effect. The group was given invaluable tips on the lessons Candace has learned along her own journey building YBC®. We broke down social media platforms, so that even the beginners like me, could understand the importance of it. Leaving the retreat with notes and worksheets, I was ready to build my own business.
A few months after the retreat, I was offered to teach corporate yoga for a local company. The company asked me to come in once a week for a month for their company’s annual wellness month. Because of this offer I knew it was time to make things official. I began the process of creating my business name, logo, and merchandise. Four months after the Business and Marketing Retreat, my business was born. That same month I pitched myself to local micro-brewery. We have now had four successful Beer Yoga events together and are scheduled for them to continue every month. Now I’m working for four different studios in my area, marketing myself to a wider audience. My social media presence has grown 30% with engaged followers in just 9 months. The employees from the company I taught corporate yoga for now have me as their on-going instructor two times a week. Co-hosting my very first yoga and wellness retreat later this year, seemed like a distant dream that is now a reality. Opening myself to provide more services to my students, I've become a certified Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga instructor and am studying to take my Personal Training certification. By implementing what we learned at the retreat and having the support of the other attendees behind me, I’m able to grow as a local company.
My business has grown beyond my expectations in less than a year. The success of the start of my business is a direct result of what I learned in Scottsdale and the friendships I made in the process. Building a business from nothing to something is hard, but I’m confident with the process because of the retreat. I now know how to be my own boss, market myself, and make money at something I love.
If you are in the wellness industry and have considered attending a Namaslay® Business and Marketing Retreat or Workshop, I highly recommend it. It has helped change my life, and it could change yours too.
Sign up here to join us in Austin, September 12-15!