Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emily Wisdom. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Emily thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
When I moved to California, my initial plan was to work in a yoga studio, but the universe had other plans. I did not get hired at a single.yoga.studio. Initially I felt some discouragement, then I realized I needed to change my strategy. I started reaching out to private businesses and organizations and offering up my services. To my delight, they were so open to practicing yoga with me and some even signed on contracts to keep my services.
When I didn’t get hired at any yoga studios, I could have given up and gone back to a career in financial services. Instead, I got creative. Changing my strategy opened more doors and gave me confidence in going after what I want. I believe that the groups, individuals, and companies that hire me, can feel the authenticity behind my offerings. And that is priceless. This experience taught me to adapt and be open to the flow of life. If I had gotten hired at a few studios, I wouldn’t have taken the risk of going out on my own. I am so grateful for the rejection.
As I was meditating on my next steps, I realized I wanted to offer more. When I practice on my own, I combine yoga, meditation and breath work. I thought, perhaps there is a way that I could share this expanded offering with others. In July, I launched The Complete Practice, which is a mini-retreat in my backyard studio that combines all of the practices that I want to share with others.
I could have stayed with solely offering yoga classes, but I took the risk of launching something on my own, something different. And it’s been beyond rewarding. I prepare for days before The Complete Practice and am so focused on holding space during the retreat. Even after all of this outpouring of effort and energy, I leave beaming. It is such an honor to witness people heal and grow through yoga, meditation and breath work. The students keep me inspired, engaged and brave enough to keep offering up services from my heart.
My advice is to embrace rejection, it is the best way to be redirected. Embrace risk, it leads to new ways of being. Embrace what is working and flowing, let go of what you think “should happen.”
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?
When I was in high school, I checked out a book of yoga poses and sneakily started practicing while I was at the gym. Something about the asana (physical practice) of yoga, spoke to me. I abandoned my practice for a long time, but reconnected about seven years later when I randomly decided to try a hot yoga session at a studio near my house. One class and I was HOOKED to the energy. It was vibrant, thriving, intoxicating. I became a dedicated yogi and made dear friends. As much as I loved yoga, I never viewed that as a career path. I had a lot of de-conditioning to do before I could embrace living life as a yoga teacher and guide.
In 2021, the career that I was working towards for most of my twenties was suddenly removed as an option. I was deeply depressed and relied heavily on my therapist, supportive partner and somatic practices to bring me back to life. Since we were deep in the pandemic, I thought to myself, ‘why not go through Yoga Teacher Training?” I had always thought about it and now that nothing was standing in my way, I decided to pursue it. Fast forward just a few months and I was officially certified and ready to start teaching. But, as fate would have it, I did not get any jobs working in yoga studios, which is what motivated me to create my own brand and offerings.
Wisdom Mind & Body offers Yoga, 1:1 Guided Meditation, The Complete Practice (mini-retreat), Workshops, Ceremonial Bridal Yoga and so many amazing collaborative events with local entrepreneurs. The mantra for Wisdom Mind & Body is Explore>>Shift>>Radiate. Together we explore through somatic and spiritual practices, so that we can shift to a higher way of being and radiate our truest selves out into the world. My dream is to watch everyone wake up – one at a time – healing, growing, thriving and on fire for life. The true offering of my heart is to guide people so they can heal themselves and create a life they are obsessed with.
I view my business as a mirror for my own practices. What I cultivate, I can share. What is alive and vibrant for me, will shine through in what I offer. I am so excited for the First Annual New Year’s Eve Event (Manifest 2023), which will combine yoga, meditation, intention setting, creativity and wild celebration. AND in 2023, I will be holding my first weekend retreat in Sequoia, which is such a dream! With every step forward, I am encouraged to keep finding my own path and encouraging others to do the same.
To my new clients, come with an open-mind and heart. We will figure everything else out together. You do not need to be a practitioner of yoga, meditation or breath work to participate. All are welcome! All are safe to share! I encourage potential clients to reach out to me in conversation, so I can offer a suggestion of what offering might serve them best.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Connection, Connection, Connection. Reaching out to people to meet up for collaboration opportunities. Attending pop-up market events. Cold-calling. Referrals and creating an atmosphere that make people want to return. Keep trying new strategies and avoid making any decisions based on a feeling of desperation or clinging.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson I am STILL unlearning- “business success is measured by money and prestige”. I think most people grew up receiving the message that career and wealth are indicative of your worth.
As I continue growing and nurturing my business, I carefully measure whether I am making decisions that are aligned with my values or if I am caught up in scarcity mindset, clinging to the ideas of money and success as the measuring stick for success.
To any entrepreneur, I would invite you to define what your success looks like. For me, success is doing the work that I love, living abundantly, contributing to my family, living freely and experiencing tons of joy as I create my dream life!
It is a process to dismantle the ideas of success, money and career. Remember to be gentle as you redefine these things.
After a decade in banking, finance and lending, I was beyond burned-out. I felt like I was a fraud. I felt like I couldn’t fit the mold and that somehow meant something was wrong with me. As I continued to unlearn the programming from childhood, I realized that working a traditional career path was never going to serve me. Acknowledging that the blue print for my life was never going to work for me was very painful at first, but has lead me to more happiness, freedom and abundance than I could have ever imagined. Do not be afraid to leave your old ideas behind. Your future self will thank you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.WisdomMindBody.com
- Instagram: WisdomMindBody
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Steph Guerrero for headshot/posed yoga photos