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

Hi Cara, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

In the summer of 2019 I bought a community yoga studio. This was my first time owning a brick-and-mortar retail business. In previous years, I worked as the Director of Operations for the studio which had two locations and although I knew how to run the business, it was a huge risk. One of the locations was losing money so the previous owner closed it and sold the remaining location to me. The studio was one of the best in the city and had a 10 year track record, but there was no guarantee that we would make it with retail expenses quickly rising.

Another risk came when the pandemic started just 6 months later and I decided to pivot the business rather than close it. Almost every other studio in town closed permanently within a few weeks. Instead, we navigated the challenges of a new business model with virtual, outdoor, and hybrid classes. In 2021 when the lease ended, we closed the retail studio and I founded a new online collective to continue serving the community. Be Yoga Collective is still operating today under new ownership.

Though it was an incredibly challenging few years, I’m grateful I took the risks. I learned a lot about listening to the needs of my community and following my intuition.

Cara, 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 help others to connect to their intuition and find the freedom that only living your most authentic life can bring. In the Art Of You community, you’ll come as you are and leave as more of who you are. .
My business started in 2005 when I began working as a professional makeup artist. I quickly realized that I wanted to help others to embrace their authenticity from the inside out and used makeup as a way to help women grow in self-love. I soon began exploring yoga, meditation, and intuitive movement as a pathway to self-trust and found profound personal healing. This led me to build the Art of You community where I lead transformational retreats, Qoya Inspired Movement classes, and community gatherings where you can slow down and find connection.

Specifically, my offerings center on 3 areas of connection:
-Connection to the physical sensation of truth in your body – your intuition.
-Connection to nature to support you in being grounded and mindful of your inner wisdom.
-Connection to an inclusive community where your authenticity is celebrated.

These things will catapult you to truly embrace your authenticity, conquer self-doubt, and allow your intuition to become your guiding compass to your true north.

When I’m not speaking at a conference or leading a community event, you’ll find me spending time with my husband and two young children at my home in Fort Mill, South Carolina or escaping to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Keynote speaking has recently become a priority in my business. Over the years, I’ve spoken to countless small groups and large audiences alike and I really enjoy engaging with people in that way.
Once I decided to make public speaking more than a side-hustle, I got supported. I hired a public speaking coach and joined a community for speakers.

As with anything worth doing, it takes work, consistency, and resilience. But when audience members approach me with tears in their eyes after I speak to tell me how my story helped them, I’m always grateful I took the leap.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Dare To Lead by Brene Brown had a huge impact on the way I lead and manage people. I bought a copy for each person on my leadership team and hosted a retreat in my home where we laid out our company values following Brene’s system. I highly recommend it for any entrepreneur, especially if you are leading a team.

I also love Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. It helped me to follow my curiosity, redefine my success as an entrepreneur, and keep my perfectionism in check.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artofyouretreats.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caratruitt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caratruitt/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-truitt-3a42837a/

Image Credits
SweatNET Charlotte