We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aubrey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Aubrey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today

I would know my worth. This sounds especially selfish to say when talking about a business that is in the business of helping others discover themselves and reconnect their minds, bodies, and souls, but in the beginning, I didn’t know how life-impacting the business and services offered could be. Now, looking back, confidence and expertise, time and experience, would be reflected in the pricing, and I wouldn’t fall into the fear of scarcity within myself (that I wasn’t good enough) nor that there would be enough clientele (not enough people who wanted what I offered). I would know better how to lead–casting vision, communicating roles, and holding boundaries as employer/employee. I would better understand systems and which ones were necessary and which weren’t to streamline the business and the administrative side of things.
Then again, isn’t this the purpose of entrepreneurism? To jump in to unknowns and create something new. To discover things about yourself that you’ve never known before. Entrepreneurship is the greatest spiritual journey one can ever embark on.

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.

Over a decade ago, I started as a yoga instructor and yoga studio owner. As a general lover of learning and a curious seeker of the inner workings of myself, others, and the world around me, I immersed myself in studying and experiencing ancient wisdom practices and have collected several certifications along the way, compiling a pretty vast medicine bag to embody for myself and to serve clients with. Besides teaching yoga, training other instructors, and owning a wellness collective that involves housing small businesses in the business of wellness, I am an Ayurvedic Health Counselor, a certified Jungian Life Coach, and an energy healer. I’ve taken these practices around the world as a retreat leader and my one-on-one coaching container is the opportunity I have to meet clients deeply, and intuitively put all the facets of these passions into helping them realize their optimal well-being. Today, the public studio and regular yoga classes have been suspended as the business shifts into a more expansive realm, but I continue the multi-disciplinary work of coaching and leading retreats.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Now. I am in a pivot currently. When the yoga studio had been open for 5 years, it was thriving and flourishing. I was given a vision to expand the studio from only offering 60 minute classes into a facility that would foster a lifestyle of well-being with many different services and offerings. I bought a building, renovated it, and we were set to open in March or April of 2020 with a gym, a massage room, two studios for multiple class types, a sauna and a consult room for private sessions. Instead of catching the wave of momentum we had going we had before shut-downs, we opened softly and with fear and many restrictions. I held on for 4 more years trying to adapt to the new world, but really, feeling like I was pushing a boulder up a hill. I was desiring to be freed from the daily management of weekly classes so I could spend more time on the higher-level stuff like retreats and coaching, but the weekly classes just never recouped, so in November, I closed the yoga component down and restructured the remainder of the facility to be a place small businesses can rent out rooms to perform their own offerings. These small businesses are ones centered around movement, well-being, and mind/body connection. I am still in the midst of the pivot and leaning into where I will show up, but so far, it is going well for the brick and mortar location.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

With this pivot (as well as having my Instagram hacked), I’ve really leaned into connecting with clients through writing. In spaces that are not dependent on algorithms but where authentic digital connection can take place. I started a Substack, and I publish about every other week. These writings can be everything from poetry, storytelling, spiritual explorations, to recipes or the latest books or music I’m into. It has felt very good to let that just be about whatever I want and trust that’s what will attract the right people. Email newsletters with events, news, and pertinent information will resume again soon.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aubreyfaye.com
• Instagram: alchemists.muse
• Other: Substack: aubreybates.substack.com