We recently connected with Elyse Preston and have shared our conversation below.

Elyse, appreciate you joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?

Prior to starting my own business, I worked in the non-profit sector, more specifically in youth development. I worked in community centers and schools and advocated at the local and state level for increased funding for after school and summer programs. While working in this space, I learned so much about the importance of self-compassion, authenticity and relationship building that really served me as a business owner. Working with kids taught me how to make fun of myself, how to not take myself so seriously and to see the ways that my vulnerability was essential for building trust and building strong relationships – especially with middle schoolers and high schoolers. As a recovering perfectionist, it initially felt very difficult for me to laugh at myself and expose my challenges and weaknesses. Spending 5 years in the nonprofit sector, really set the stage for me to be able to be more vulnerable about my journey when I stepped into entrepreneurship. To be more comfortable with mistakes and failure and to be able to connect with my clients and community members in more meaningful ways.

Elyse, 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?

I started my career working in youth development organizations throughout the Greater Baltimore and Washington, DC Region. After experiencing burn out in a direct service role, I enrolled in Yoga Teacher Training to learn how to take better care of myself and to have more tools to share with my community, who was also experiencing stress and overwhelm in their own ways. I received my Jivan Yoga Teacher Certification through Baltimore Yoga Village in 2018 and became fascinated with how to continue to explore wellbeing and spirituality and how to translate my offerings into a sustainable business.

This led me on a journey of participating in a number of programs that supported my growth and evolution including:
1. Johns Hopkins University’s Bunting Neighborhood Leadership Program. A fellowship which provides emerging leaders with the training, mentorship and tools to promote community health and wellbeing.
2. BodyWise Institute 50 Hour Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training
3. Muse Business Academy, Creative Business Accelerator
4. Masters in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Leadership from University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Each of these experiences was extremely instrumental to my growth and evolution as a leader and a business owner. I cannot say enough about how mentorship and supportive community have been the most epically healing components of my journey. Which is why I’m so passionate about coaching and mentorship and building authentic community.

Be More Connected is a coaching practice, consultancy and community designed to support leaders, creatives and entrepreneurs with remembering their soul purpose and finding the courage to pursue it, so that they can increase the purpose, joy and and impact.

My work focuses on centering connection as an essential ingredient for healing and social transformation. In our current culture, we are experiencing a crisis of disconnection, in which loneliness, burnout, anxiety and depression are on the rise.

I believe that all these challenges stem from a deep disconnection from ourselves and from other people. Mainstream culture is steeped in toxic individualism, competition and hustle culture that is harmful and misaligned with our humanness.

We are social beings. We need each other to survive. We also need rest and play and creativity and time in nature to THRIVE. Through the integration of yoga, mindfulness, astrology, human design and spiritual mentorship, I support people with creating a deep sense of mind, body, soul connection & community connection – to live life on their own terms and create the kind of meaningful impact they’re desiring to make in the world.

My offerings for individuals include:
1:1 Mentorship in 4 month and 6 month packages
Human Design Readings
Soulful Business Strategies Sessions

My offerings for groups include:
The School of Soulful Abundance – my 4 month signature group program for creatives and entrepreneurs
Yoga Sessions
Wellness Workshops
Custom half day and full day retreats

My mission is to support leaders, changemakers and visionary entrepreneurs to experience deep healing and support, so that they can learn to love and transform themselves – and be active participants in loving and transforming the world.

The only way that we can begin to heal society is if we do the important work of healing ourselves. I believe that when we intentionally invest in creating healthy relationships with ourselves and others, we are shifting the energetic conditions in our communities and the wider world. It is my joy to support my clients in seeking their purpose, creating community, and living more connected lives.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

My most effective strategy for growing clientele has been building relationships online and in the real world. Through the courses and trainings that I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of, I’ve met some amazing people. And I’ve built relationships where we check in on each others businesses, and share resources and opportunities with one another, including opportunities for podcast swaps, guest teaching and speaking opportunities. And when I show up and deliver great value at these events, I always end up connecting with new clients and meeting new people that are happy to spread the word about my business. It’s very rare that I connect with new customers through social media. It is typically through podcasts, events and referrals.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I cannot say enough great things about Holisticism. They have an amazing podcast called The Twelfth House, which shares invaluable guidance for creative and spiritual entrepreneurs. They also have a free online membership on Mighty Networks called the Holisticism Hub that you can join to gain advice and inspiration from other business owners. Their emails are also phenomenal and packed with value!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elysepreston.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamelysepreston/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elyse-preston-87252a68/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWglsy-sK-xsl2G-9BrxdKQ

Image Credits
(Pics 1-3) Lucas De Britto, Jaguar Soul Media (Pics 5-6) Grant Henry, Grant Henry Media