We were lucky to catch up with Anastasiia Shulha recently and have shared our conversation below.

Anastasiia, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

My journey to starting a business began long before it actually launched. I knew from the age of 15 that I wanted to create something of my own, but it took a long path to make it happen. I’m from Ukraine, and everything started on the day the war began. For the first month, my family and I lived outside the city due to heavy shelling; it was safer there, but I knew that living this way was unsustainable. One day, I was offered the opportunity to study in France, and that’s where my story began, along with my first attempts at building a business. France was an important stage of my growth, where I began to explore yoga and its impact on mental and physical well-being. But I realized I needed to move forward, and when the opportunity arose, I relocated to America.

America is a country built for business, and I knew that once I made this move, there was no turning back. I had countless questions about how I could start a business without capital or major investments—only with an idea and the inner conviction that I would succeed. Life was kind to me: on my very first day in New York, while I was searching for housing, I unexpectedly found a job in real estate. I took it as a sign and understood that I needed to remain open to any opportunities that could help me move forward.

This realization grew stronger as I immersed myself in yoga. I discovered how yoga could help clear the mind and build the inner resilience needed to pursue my dream. I knew it was time to start taking action!

One day, I attended a networking event for business professionals in New York, where I made valuable connections. Someone invited me to an AI training course. At first, I didn’t see the connection with my idea—yoga and AI seemed like completely different fields—but something inside me told me to give it a try. The training cost $800, which was a significant sum for an immigrant, but I decided to take the risk. There, I met a business owner who asked me what I wanted to achieve. I shared my idea of creating Spirit, a yoga studio. He appreciated the idea and offered steps that could help me get started.

With his guidance and advice, I began building the business step by step. First, I created a website, then started searching for Kundalini yoga instructors—a challenging task. I found a girl teaching yoga in New York, and it turned out she was married to my cousin! She was incredibly supportive, and together we planned our first event. That time, we didn’t gather enough participants, and the event had to be canceled. But I didn’t give up. The next time, we held an amazing event and welcomed our first clients.

This is how my journey began. I found a space and launched classes, and a year after arriving in America, Spirit was born. This project is for people who are searching for themselves and their path, just as I once was. That’s why I truly want to help others find their true selves.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Anastasiia, and I’m originally from Ukraine. I’m someone who has always dreamed of helping people, and that dream led me to a spiritual journey. Along the way, yoga and meditation became invaluable tools for my own growth. Inspired by the impact they had on me, I decided to create a space where others could find inner harmony as well. Strength of spirit is essential to face life’s challenges, which is why my studio is called Spirit—representing the indomitable force within us. It’s a place dedicated to both the soul and body.

Our studio offers services that focus on physical strength, such as Vinyasa yoga, stretching, and Barre, as well as Kundalini yoga and meditation to support inner balance. Additionally, we host workshops that guide self-discovery through art and various practices. As a former professional track and field athlete, I deeply appreciate the balance between mental resilience and physical well-being. I genuinely love what I do, and I believe that passion is the key to building a meaningful business.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

To be honest, demonstrating resilience is essential in business at all times. I’m 23, and people often underestimate young entrepreneurs. You will frequently hear that you may not succeed due to your age or lack of experience. However, it’s important to understand that failure only happens when you stop trying. For example, when we organized our first event, it was supposed to take place in Central Park. We booked the venue, invested in advertising, but we couldn’t gather people. I viewed this situation positively because failures are a crucial part of success that eventually leads to results. And the second time, everything went perfectly!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been through word-of-mouth referrals and community engagement. When clients have positive experiences in my yoga studio, they often share their stories with friends and family, leading to organic growth. Additionally, participating in local events and collaborating with other businesses, such as wellness fairs and community health initiatives, has helped raise awareness about my studio, Spirit. Social media has also played a significant role, allowing me to showcase classes, workshops, and testimonials from clients, which has attracted new participants who resonate with my approach to yoga and self-discovery.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://myspiritspace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spirit.nyc?igsh=NGRxOHlqNjJqajdu
• Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556961928658&mibextid=kFxxJD