We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Allison Gonzalez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Allison below.

Allison, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea for my yoga studio, YUJ, took shape shortly after the lock down of a global pandemic. With many individuals facing isolation and mental health issues on the rise, it became evident that there was a strong need for in-person connection, support, and community. As a dedicated yoga teacher, I began teaming up with local business owners to organize community events in rented spaces. It was a wonderful way to reunite people, but as I encountered challenges in securing venues, a lightbulb went off: why not create my own studio?

Thanks to a touch of divine inspiration and some amazing connections in Fargo, I discovered an ideal location and officially opened our brick-and-mortar studio in May 2022. Just like that, we’ve built a caring team and an inviting space, where students can come together to breathe, grow, and thrive!

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?

I discovered “real” yoga in 2018 while living in St. Cloud, Minnesota. At the time, I was feeling unwell and completely burnt out from my retail career, but it was there that I met a yoga instructor who introduced me to the transformative power of breathwork and mindfulness practices. Her wisdom and genuine kindness motivated me to enroll in a 235-hour yoga teacher training program. I completed that training in 2018, and during the global pandemic, I furthered my education by finishing my 500-hour certification.

Today, I have the joy of teaching yoga classes at my studio, and I’m excited to begin training new teachers through Devanadi School of Yoga this fall. I am grateful that my journey has had many highs and lows because it allows me to create a safe and supportive space for all students, no matter where they begin.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Five months prior to the grand opening of YUJ Yoga Studio, I hosted a team photoshoot and launched our Instagram with the goal of generating outstanding brand recognition. Today, we’re committed to expanding our social media presence by hosting giveaways and exploring other engagement initiatives. I recommend positing high-quality photos that reflect your services. I’d also highly recommend collaborating with like-minded businesses who will share your profile and work with their friends.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Community events. In-person events are a goldmine for new client acquisition. We can build relationships face-to-face, have authentic interactions, and receive insight on what new students enjoy or want to try.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yujyogafargo.com
• Instagram: @getagrippe @yujyogafargo
• Facebook: @yujyogafargo.com
• Linkedin: @allisongonzalez