We were lucky to catch up with Sara Harward and Ashley Gangloff recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sara and Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

When I think about defining moments on the path to launching Bloom with my business partner Ashley Gangloff, I don’t think there was a single lightning-bolt moment — it was more like a slow unfolding. For years, I had been doing everything “right.” I had a successful career in research, was raising three kids with my husband, involved in the community, volunteering, serving on boards — my life looked full, and by many measures, it was. But something inside me kept whispering that there was more. Not more to do, but more to feel. More to connect to. More that I hadn’t quite found yet.

Yoga was one of the few places where I felt completely present — grounded, human, and at peace. It gave me space to breathe, to pay attention, and to connect with myself in a way nothing else really did. I didn’t fully understand it at the time, but yoga was helping me wake up.

Around this same time, I met Ashley Gangloff. A mutual friend insisted we meet — said we had too much in common not to connect. And she was right. From the first coffee, the first walk, the first yoga class we shared, it felt like we had been living parallel lives: both married with three kids, both leading busy, outwardly successful lives, both quietly wrestling with this inner question of, Is this it?

Our conversations became a kind of lifeline. We talked about everything — motherhood, careers, disappointments, fears, dreams. On one of our walks, I remember saying out loud, kind of offhandedly: “The quiet, the strength, the connection I feel through yoga — what if I could create a space for other people to feel that too? What if this is what’s next for me?” Ashley looked at me and said, “What if?”

We agreed to let the idea rest through the holidays, just sit with it. But the very next day, Ashley texted me: “Let’s partner.”

From that moment, things moved quickly. What started as an idea about creating space for honest connection — the kind we were craving more of in our own lives — became something much bigger. We didn’t want to build just another studio. We wanted to create a brand, a way of life, that made room for presence, community, and authentic belonging. A place where people could come home to themselves, not just in movement, but in mindset and spirit. Bloom Yoga Co. grew out of that shared longing for something deeper — and the belief that maybe we weren’t alone in that longing.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

At my core, I’ve always been a connector — of ideas, of people, of purpose. Before launching Bloom, I spent years in research and leadership development, working to understand human behavior, growth, and systems. I loved that work, but over time I realized that I wanted to be part of something more embodied, more heart-forward — something that didn’t just live in theory, but in practice. Yoga had long been a personal refuge for me, and eventually, it felt like a natural next step to build something around it. Something tangible and transformational.

Bloom Yoga Company was born out of that desire — and out of the deep, values-aligned friendship between me and my co-founder Ashley Gangloff. Bloom isn’t just a studio. It’s a living, breathing extension of who we are, what we value, and how we want to move through the world. It’s not a transactional space for fitness; it’s a soulful, intentionally designed experience that invites people to come as they are — tired, messy, hopeful, curious — and leave feeling more connected to themselves and their community.

We offer yoga classes, workshops, community gatherings, and curated wellness experiences — but what we’re really offering is a way of being. A space where people can explore their own evolution, physically, emotionally, and even existentially. We design every touchpoint at Bloom with intention: from the lobby lighting to the playlists we curate for our classes to how we greet people by name. It’s not surface-level wellness. It’s not performative. It’s about presence, belonging, and transformation.

Ashley and I balance each other beautifully — I bring warmth, light, and playfulness into our culture, and she brings drive, edge, and impeccable standards. Together, we’ve created a studio culture where our teachers pitch in, roll up their sleeves, and care deeply — not because they have to, but because it matters. Our clients feel that too. There’s a sense of ownership, not just of the space but of their own process and journey. This isn’t just a place to get a workout — it’s a space to grow.

We’re three months into our journey with our Chapel Hill studio, and what we’re most proud of isn’t scale — it’s depth. Our goal isn’t to add more classes just for the sake of growth. We want to deepen connections, build meaningful collaborations, and create experiences that move people forward, even if just by an inch.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to know about Bloom, it’s that it’s a little rebellious, a little sacred, a little playful — but always sincere. We’re not here to impress. We’re here to invite. To hold space. To create something real.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

More than training or knowledge, the single most important ingredient for succeeding in this season of my career has been the ability to stay present. That means paying close attention—not just to what’s working, but to what’s not. It means listening deeply: to the people who truly know you, to your body, to the community you’re serving, and to those quiet inner nudges that keep tugging at your attention.

Also: relationships. The quality of your relationships, how you nurture them, how you show up for others and allow others to show up for you—it’s everything. That’s what makes work meaningful. That’s what keeps you rooted when things feel hard or uncertain.

I also think curiosity and a willingness to unlearn are crucial. I spent years perfecting efficiency, output, and forward momentum in my previous career. But that didn’t translate directly into running a business rooted in connection and well-being. I had to re-learn what success looks like, and what it feels like.

And lastly, a sense of humor. You have to be able to laugh at yourself, find lightness in the mess, and stay open to the unexpected. It’s humbling work—but it’s also beautiful, sacred work when done with heart.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2023, I found myself standing in the rubble of a career I had built for 20 years. It wasn’t a sudden collapse, but a slow unraveling. I had loved my 9-5 until I didn’t. I kept trying to make it work, forcing myself to stay on a path that no longer fit. The roles, the responsibilities, the praise—all of it started to feel disconnected from who I was becoming.

The real pivot happened not in one dramatic moment, but in a thousand small reckonings. I had to let go of my addiction to the hustle and to being seen as accomplished. I had to confront what I had outgrown—not just in my job, but in the idea I had of who I was supposed to be.

That pivot created space—for more presence, more creativity, more connection. And eventually, for Bloom Yoga Co.

Sometimes the biggest shift isn’t external—it’s internal. And it’s not easy. But it’s worth it. Because now I wake up each day building something that aligns with my values, my purpose, and my humanity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bloomyogaco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloom.yoga.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Bloom-Yoga-Co/61568731439006/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bloom-collective-llc/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bloom-yoga-chapel-hill-2?osq=Bloom+Yoga
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/31xketjzt42sqygzhd7irhesdi4q

Image Credits

All images are owned by Bloom Yoga Co.