Inspired by the profound effects that yoga had on her own her own struggle with self-worth and self-love, Maudie began Loveyogabum with an aim to offer an overall health experience. Here, she serves her clients through a combination of yoga, healthy eating, travel, inner work and adventure. Her interview inspires us to focus on building business relationships through time and consistency, and to offer valuable free content to keep our community engaged.

What inspired you to become a holistic entrepreneur?

Having always struggled with a sense of self worth and self love and I found that yoga helped me to start to love myself. I have always been into alternative ways to heal especially through the power of food. My Grandmother always used Homeopathy and rarely saw a doctor. I love the idea of taking the responsibility for ones owns health a very empowering concept and I practice it in many forms. I never suffered from any serve illnesses however I do have intolerance to diary which used to make me over weight, lethargic, bloated and irritable. What particularly interests me is the relationship between food and emotions. I use food along with yoga as ways to find balance on all levels. For me being balanced is more of an emotional state of being rather than physical however normally I find when I am balanced I also look balanced! I have always found great pleasure in helping others so marrying my passion with my skills seemed ever so natural. The hard part was finances!

 

Tell us about your business or practice.

I set up Loveyogabum back in 2011 with the aim to offer an overall health experience. With yoga, healthy eating, travel, inner work and adventure. Along with Weekend and Week Retreats we offer Healthy Hens Dos, and Health Days in Schools. Our entire team share the same belief that a healthy life is a happy life. Our company motto is: Humour, Health & Hip Openers! We love to laugh and laugh at ourselves more importantly. We have healthy attitudes and healthy plates! Yoga is our practice and we want to show everyone how simple, fun and abundant true Health & Happiness can be.

 

What is your current business model?

Loveyogabum is a lifestyle brand. We offer Weekend Retreats, Week Retreats, Healthy Hen Do’s and Health Days in Schools. We also have an online shop coming soon. The Loveyogabum team are available for private yoga sessions or nutritional consultations.

 

What has been one of your favorite moments as a business owner thus far?

Seeing transformations on retreats and life over hauls. Many of our students have really opened up and released past blocked emotions or been inspired to follow their dreams. For me this is GOLDEN!

 

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in running your business or practice?

Being able to present our vision and aim in a consistent and coherent way. Not having any funds initially to market ourselves thus reaching a wider audience.

 

How have you overcome those challenges?

By discovering the best free methods to promote the business and what works for us as a team. Taking advice and being savvy as possible in those early days to promote the business with little finance. The best thing I did was a B School which has helped enormously tidying up the business and propelling it into the lime light a few years after a started.

 

How do you find new clients?

Word of Mouth essentially using Social Media and our Website as a promotional tool to inspire and keep us in the lime light on a day-to-day basis.

 

What have you found to be most effective in securing new clients to sign up for your services?

Word of Mouth and building relationships through time and consistency. Offering free content to help our customers stay on the health train every day.

 

What do you do to keep your existing clients engaged in the long term?

We offer a loyalty scheme.

 

As your own boss, what is your best strategy for staying focused and productive during your workday?

Using iCalender and Schedule everything! This doesn’t come naturally to me but it is the key to staying focused and working towards a goal. It also shows a level of professionalism by respecting your own time and in turn your clients time.

 

If you could start your business over again from the beginning, what would you do differently?

I would start with a clearer vision! However I do believe in getting out there and nothing is perfect. Be clear about what you offer and don’t skimp on a good website!

 

What were some of the first mistakes you made that you would tell a new holistic entrepreneur to avoid?

Spending money on advertising that didn’t see any results. Use free methods until you have the cash.

 

What are the top three business tools or resources you couldn’t live without?

iCalender, MailChimp, Social Media Sights that you enjoy using not ones that you think you should use!

 

What has been your most effective method for growing your business?

Being consistent with great content from the heart. Again work with your passions and strengths and sticking to a format.

 

In building your business, was there any specific mistake you made, “oops!” moment, or “I can’t believe I did that!” time that you look back and laugh at now?

I had too many to mention however spending money that I didn’t have was probably the worst! Don’t run before you can walk and as my boyfriend says keep it simple and do the small things well.

 

What is your favorite indulgence?

Travel, sports like Riding and Skiing, Massages and Hammans.

 

Most exotic thing you’ve ever eaten?

All the food on our retreats are insanely delicious and mostly vegan. I do also like to eat organic local meat at home with friends.

 

Most memorable place you’ve ever visited?

Too many places! I adore Suleyman’s Garden on the Turkish Coast which is a eco garden where everything is grown on site. We run 2 retreats there a year luckily for me!

 

Last book you read?

The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho – I adore all his books

 

If you could only have one kind of food for the rest of your life, it would be…

Vegan desserts! I friend owns a company called The Hardihood which produces the best vegan desserts EVER.

 

What is your go-to breakfast?

Avocado on Rye or Sheeps Yoghurt with Homemade Millet Granola and fruit

 

What do you find most fascinating about the human body?

That you are not your MIND! And the power of healing that is possible when we give the body a chance by riding ourselves of toxins. Also the power of self love.

 

What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?

Working for myself and following my passions to help others do the same.

 

Maudie Johnson is a Yoga teacher, Holistic Therapist, Entrepreneur, Health Advocate, Blogger and Traveller based out of Chamonix, France and London, UK. You can find out more about Maudie and her businesses, Loveyogabum and Maudie Johnson, by visiting www.loveyogabum.com and www.maudiejohnson.com.