We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Briana Young-Roane a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Briana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
I decided to start my own studio when I was tired of entering spaces where no one looked liked me. I found the practice of yoga in 1999 and for years I’d attended trainings, workshops, festivals and classes and I’d be the only Black woman in the room. It started to weigh heavily on my soul and my confidence. I started to wonder did I belong in those spaces. In 2009 my father passed away and after working in studios, and gyms where I’d be the entire diversity department I walked out on faith and opened my very first studio. I opened Like Water… Yoga, Art & Dance. It was a tiny studio with 2 rooms in Jackson Ward area of Richmond. I offered yoga classes at just $5. I wanted to create a space where people of color would feel safe, and at a price they could afford. Within 2 years I had to close the doors. I was heartbroken and honestly a bit bitter. I had done the work, created the space, and still “they” never came. After about two years I finally was over the bitterness and tired again but I did it differently. I learned that I under valued myself, what I had to offer, and the space I had created. I learned in business especially as a Black woman you must stand extra tall, and ask for what you need, not lowball yourself to meet folks where you think their at. If I had to give any advice to anyone who wants to start a business it would be go in with the attitude that you are worthy! That you need to ask for what your worth. People will pay for anything they believe in and if you don’t believe in you, they won’t support you. Don’t dim your light because folks get blinded, those aren’t your folks!
Briana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I consider myself a colorful magical star that once lived among the skies and now have fallen to Earth. Playing human means most days I wear many hats: mother, wife, chef, writer, healer, herbalist, dancer, sister, friend and of course teacher. I never planned to be a holistic teacher but the universe had its own plans. After an injury in college I had to face the fact that I would never be a professional dancer, but I never gave up on the need to move my body. I found yoga in 1999 but needed the practice in 2000 as a recovery practice. I didn’t fall in love with the practice for another few years. I have always been the girl who followed her gut. At 15yrs old I became a “vegetarian” on my own. At 26yrs old I became “Vegan” because of health issues, and skin rashes, and at 35yrs old I became “Me”. No titles, no labels, just a women who wanted to live as light as possible on this planet, full of wonder. My journey as brought me here where I truly try to be as authentic with myself as well as my home, belly, family, and clients. My personal goal is to make sure I complete my mission here. That I am the best human I can be, while honoring my soul contract and doing the work I promised before I got here. It seems like a lot at first to be completely authentic to yourself, but if you do tiny steps more often than not, one day you’ll look up and be your highest self without any effort. I do not have it all figured out, and in fact most of the time I am a moving mess, but that’s how I know I can help others. I am not afraid to f*ck up, or try again, and again, and maybe again. That is a gift to experience the ups and downs and still be able to come out; rebuild and redirect and make it look effortless. I want my community to be well, and blessed because if we are all winning imagine the bubble of bliss, we’d all experience. My journey has brought me here to share, aid, and inspire others to be their best selves. I am forever proud of ALWAYS having the bravery to be myself even if that meant I’d be alone. I have never been scared of walking alone and I know that’s a very unique gift.
My business Gypsy Yoga Mama Brand is a lifestyle brand that I created out of sheer need I say in the wellness industry. I wanted to create a space for the wanderlust lovers, the moon chasers, the healers, the failures, the movers, the goddesses, the intuitive, the expressive, and the barefoot explorers who always stand in their own truth. Simply put it’s a practice for the people who feel placeless. My products & my classes always try to make space for the humans and spirits who need freedom.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
No! Being an entrepreneur is extremely hard, time consuming, earth shattering experience on a constant basis. The hours are extremely different from a traditional 9-5, you are somewhere the entire staff from HR, to marketing, the talent and sometimes even the therapist. It’s not for the weak, and even the closest people around you don’t understand the sacrifices you need to make to excel. In addition being a woman makes it extra hard because you’re always proving to yourself and others that you worked to be where you are. If I didn’t have this constant need to grow and exceed I’d love to just be creative writing teacher somewhere in a tiny little classroom. But I’ve never had the ability to just sit down and be normal. It’s not in my DNA.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Honestly and Authenticity! I have never tired to duplicate or fit in anywhere. I have built a clientele simply off being authentic. Students, clients, participants know when they attended any event, class, workshop or retreat with me they will always get something unique. I have always tired to offer what is in my soul that way it can’t be replicated or bought off a shelf. If you want to make sure your business grows just be authentic! Don’t worry about becoming a millionaire or that everyone likes you and your business because that’s impossible. Just do what you’re passionate about and the people that need you will found you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gypsyyogamama.com
- Instagram: Thegypsyyogamama
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GypsyYogaMama?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@GypsyYogaMama?si=6i9VcHdPV2rOxj1t
- Other: Shop website: https://shopgypsyyogamama.com Bio site: https://bio.site/briananicole?fbclid=PAAaYj-e7xvN1bgHBy0BJWGkbx98C8xdbwabpoqhHCSZhxBU1na2MZ56pGmAY_aem_AX7reAaLxT1L1an7yAnqVug6bVQBRWZoGATxmdwMwNEdjvOjomUp_L4HWAJCzu4-5mY
Image Credits
Self