We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katie Bond. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katie below.
Katie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
Yes, I have felt that way and can relate. Owning my own business was the best decision I ever made. Yet, there are times I think having a regular job would feel easier. I think most small business owners have those thoughts every now and then. Speaking of a regular job, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to do just that. I went back to corporate work in a regular job and I quickly knew it was not the right fit. So in some ways, my failed corporate job jaunt reminds me on those tough days how lucky I really am to be working for myself. Owning my own business is pretty amazing.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi everyone, I’m Katie – the owner of Laguna Beach Yoga + Fair Trade. I am also married and the proud mom of two little girls, ages 3 and 5. I started my professional career in higher education. It was in the university setting I started teaching yoga and working in the fair trade circle. 16 years ago I became yoga teacher certified and taught yoga classes at the university… 10 years ago I also started my own non-profit called The Peace Exchange Sustainable Fair Trade traveling to Africa and supporting women in the art of fair trade. From there it has been a beautiful journey to where my family and I have opened up our own yoga studio & fair trade store. We offer a community space for people to connect, relax, tap into mindfulness, and have a peaceful experience. Whether it’s a yoga class, buying a fair trade artisan item, or exploring one of our events, we offer something for everyone. Laguna Beach Yoga + Fair Trade is unique with a focus on the healing arts. We give deep respect and honor to the land in which our space resides and offer a community space for people to come just as they are.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Gentle pivots… that is what a business owner has to do to survive in my opinion. Things change and being adaptable is a key to success. For example, right after we opened up our business we were told we had to move from the home we thought we’d be living in for years to come. I was heart-broken. Scared, nervous, hurt, you name it… I felt all the feelings of what could go wrong. Financial fears of having to increase our payments to the worry of making the overhead of our new business. And to top it off, we were told we had to move the week of Christmas (with two little kids). Yes, the worst timing. I could have in that moment caved, stopped in my tracks and let fear take over. But, I chose to take a gentle pivot in business and in my personal life. I had to learn creative ways to increase income streams and to be open to moving to a new location. And so now fast forward, we have moved and we are enjoying things we never had before and the business is growing. All because I made a choice to pivot and go with the flow rather than fight against it.
How’d you meet your business partner?
My business partner is my husband. We met online! Our first date was quite a story (I’ll save that for another interview). We have had our ups and downs yet we are really committed to each other. I honestly think that makes us a wonderful team because we know how to really support each other. We are in it together and have the best for our family and the business in mind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lagunabeachyoga.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagunabeachyoga/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lagunabeachyoga.fairtrade
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/NszT__qQSjtHhtlHErrqdQ
- Other: https://www.thepeaceexchange.com/