Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cara Lemus. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Cara , thanks for joining 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, many times but to go back to a regular job? Never. I have wanted this for too long that even if I wanted to, it’s too late to turn back.

I had to learn most of the business along the way and by doing so, I also had to step into this new role that does not come easy. I am a yogi first, and then a boss. I never anticipated the rollercoaster of emotions and challenges I would have to face, I often laugh and tell people, “I just wanted to teach yoga.” Even though it gets demanding at times, I would not change one thing about it.

I left my regular job to follow this dream of owning a yoga studio and being home with my three children. There are times I wish it was easier on my mind and my time, for sure. There are good days and bad, just like any job. It’s not easy managing people. Managing staff, clients, and juggling a family. I have to make sure I am constantly balancing life and making sure everything is running smoothly at work and at home.

I have learned to choose my battles with everything. Take my time on big decisions. Not to take things personally because I can’t please everyone. Making friends with other business owners, hearing their stories, knowing that many are going through the same things, makes me feel a whole lot better. Now I can say, we are aloud to have hard days. We are aloud to need rest. We are aloud to be a mess and no matter what, I choose to keep being myself through it all. The right people will appreciate that.

In the beginning I taught many of the yoga classes myself. I have enjoyed watching my business grow these past years. I am lucky to be in a position now to step back a little bit, choose what I put my mind, time, and effort into doing. I love that I get to be creative all the time. I love that it’s constant growth and a continuous learning process. My mind will never stop thinking of what comes next, (love and hate it) but I enjoy when the work load feels light. When I am having a good time creating, building, and when I know everyone involved is happy and excited for what’s to come.

I believe I have my entire life to keep figuring it out, for my business to keep growing, or to even change paths if I ever want to. But for now, I am happy being a business owner because I am doing everything I said I would.

Cara , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Of course! I am the Owner and Director of Vive L.A. Yoga in San Pedro, a mother of three, a wife, and an accomplished EYT. With over thirteen years of experience, I enjoy sharing my yoga practice and modern teaching styles of vinyasa, yin yoga, and beyond.

I began my yoga journey as an adolescent, hard times in my life led me to find a practice in yoga. Yoga gave me the tools to feel confident, to love myself, to know my boundaries and so much more. It changed my life in many ways and I found a passion in sharing its benefits with others.

During the quarantine stage of the pandemic, I decided to quit my regular job to stay home with my children. I started teaching yoga online and sharing my passion for yoga on Instagram. That’s how Vive started. The name Vive L.A. Yoga literally came to me in a dream. I woke up and decided it was perfect for my private business and website. Its welcoming, multilingual meaning- to live yoga – soon became our studio name.

Three years later, Vive offers over thirty classes in a week with nine other teachers besides myself to choose from. Each teacher sets a unique tone for their class and continues to inspire our community. We provide monthly workshops, events, and have plans to host our first yoga teacher training with yoga retreats to come. If you haven’t checked us out, we have amazing intro. offers and specials.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

My most effective strategy for growing clientele has been networking and making connections in the community. I do some self-marketing on Instagram and started popping up at local events to get the word out about Vive. If I’m going to build a community, I have to get out and be apart of the community. I continue to do that everyday. I try to connect with every client and I encourage my staff to do the same. I enjoy meeting the new names that come in to our studio. I want to know how they found us and how to keep them coming back for more.

As a small business owner, I’ve had to learn what to put money into and what to save money on. So spending money on an ad that most people won’t see, is not a smart move. We are based in a small town on the coast. My goal is not to pull clients from 15 miles away. If I do, thats great. My goal is to get people to fall in love with yoga right where we are.

When I first started, I had only saved a few dollars in my personal bank account, spent it on yoga props, hoped to be able to pay my staff, and held on to my vision. I’m happy to have made it this far. I put in the time to get to know my clients, and what they want to experience. I make sure they are happy and that I’m providing the best possible experience I can. They share it with the people in their lives and boom! It’s word of mouth.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I believe your social media becomes your resume or even your business card. Social media can be fun and an easy way to self-market your brand. You may have to do some research on trends and like anything else, it takes time to build but it’s worth putting time into.

When I first had my idea of starting a business, I didn’t know how I was going to reach people but it wasn’t long before I realized social media gives you the tools to do it all. I created a business profile separate from my personal. I began posting pictures and creating my brand. Everything that you post represents you and your brand, so I make smart decisions about what to share.

There are apps like Canva and InShot that can help with making your posts, branded content, and so much more. They make posting easy and look professional.

For those just starting on social media, let your followers get to know you and what you and your brand are all about. People want to see that you are a professional at what you do but they also enjoy knowing you are human and like everyone else. They want to connect with a real person and be able to relate to what you are posting.

You can’t wait for people to follow you. You must start clicking the follow button also. Don’t be shy, click away. The ones that follow you in return will build your following. Begin connecting with your audience. Easiest way to connect is by liking their pictures and their stories. Always respond and think that everyone is a potential costumer. It’s human nature to want connection, that is why most people are on social media.

Once you know what followers want to see or what posts do well, then you will know what is most relevant to share about your brand. It’s that easy! And have fun with it because this is the world we live in.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vivelayoga.com
• Instagram: @vivelayoga

Image Credits
San Pedro Chamber of Commerce