We caught up with Aimee who guided us through our January yoga session to hear about how she's set up her own business during a global pandemic.
Name: Aimee Johnston
Business: Aimee Lavender Yoga (Lavender is my mother’s maiden name)
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Tell us about your yoga journey, what led you to it?
I have been practising yoga for around 6 years now and first took it up because I was suffering from what was most likely anxiety at the time and a few people had said it might help. I actually hated my first yoga class! And I certainly didn't leave feeling 'relaxed.' It was at a gym in Crouch End and I just found the whole class quite awkward and stressful and like I couldn’t ‘do it.’ Then I started 'Yoga with Adrienne' on youtube and I really liked her energy (it's all about the teacher!) Anyway I soon became hooked and was doing her online classes everyday, before setting out to take on studio classes in London and settling on a teacher I really connected with! I have been a student of hers for nearly 5 years now. What I love is that Yoga is a practice and a journey, it's really there to pick us up when we need it the most. There's no such thing as being 'bad at yoga’ and there’s no end goal.
What have you learned from trying to build a new business during a global pandemic?
Trying to build a new business during a pandemic sounds crazy right!? Although so many people have been fortunate enough to thrive during this time, including me. I was made furlough by my employer (I work for a TV Agency as an Agent’s Assistant) and Teaching Yoga had always been something I wanted to do but didn't feel I had the time or confidence. The pandemic put everything in perspective for me (as I feel it did a lot of people!) and I decided to go for it without thinking much about what I would do with the qualification, I just wanted to deepen my understanding of the practice and I loved sharing yoga with people.
What I have learned is that it's ok to thrive right now! And also to pull in all your contacts, whether you're learning how to use Mailchimp or need a little bit of sound business advice, I feel like everyone is more than happy to help each other at the moment. I would try not to think too big too soon or put too much pressure on yourself, it’s ok to make mistakes! Don't wait for your business to be perfect before putting stuff out there, just start 'doing.’
What advice would you give to other women who may be looking to set up their own businesses or trying to navigate the business world as a woman?
I would say seek advice from a broad range of people, not just those who are entrepreneurial or business minded. Also if you're thinking about retraining whilst still in full time employment, I would also say, clear the social diary and get into the headspace where every minute of your day wherever possible is going to be dedicated towards the end goal! Just as I started my course my employers brought me back (typical) so things went from zero to 100. I wrote a list of 'Goals' and put this up in my room as a daily reminder, and created morning and evening study schedules which really helped. I look back at these now and can’t believe how much I used to squeeze into a day, but it felt exhilarating to know that I was pushing myself. And if you really organise your time (as well as scheduling in ‘nothing time’ to relax) then you won’t burn out!
To touch back on my key piece of advice to all you super ladies, get your business out there before it’s perfect! And have your personality all over it. Take advice but ultimately make it exactly how you want it and don’t worry too much about what other people are doing.