We recently connected with Erica Lawrence and have shared our conversation below.

Erica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

When I decided to start my own business, I was a 23-year old single mom living in Atlanta, GA. I had been working a full-time corporate job for about nine months, and honestly, I was miserable. I started looking for other jobs and got offered an amazing role with a great company. I was so excited that I gave my two-week notice before even signing the official offer letter. But then things went downhill. My current job decided to let me go before my notice period ended, and the new job offered me way less money than we had discussed in the interview.

Instead of settling for the low offer or going back to my old job, I took a leap of faith and started my own business. It was a risky move because I didn’t have much experience as an entrepreneur, and I still had to take care of my daughter. It wasn’t easy, but I knew I was worth more than what those companies could give me. So, in 2014, I launched my first business called 3E Events & Marketing. Thankfully, my first business was a success and I’ve been an entrepreneur ever since!

Erica, 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 have had the pleasure of launching multiple businesses but the one I am most proud of and would like to discuss today, is Bodies in Motion Wellness. Bodies in Motion helps busy women prioritize self-love & self-care by providing wellness products, coaching, special events, classes and retreats. We focus on improving their spiritual, emotional and physical health in a safe & loving environment.

What started as a hobby teaching dance fitness classes, has evolved into a full blown wellness company that has transformed the lives of so many women! I started BIM in 2018 after becoming a certified Zumba instructor. I absolutely loved helping women get in shape while dancing to the salsa beats! I also hosted monthly ladies’ nights as a safe space for women to let loose without the pressure of being judged or criticized by others.

When 2020 hit, in person classes were paused and I also had to undergo major foot surgery. This completely took me away from my passion of dance fitness. As I was on bedrest from surgery, I learned so much about myself and realized my purpose was greater than just helping women improve their physical appearance. My ultimate purpose was to help women become the best version of themselves by ensuring they are healthy spiritually and emotionally as well. I had to encourage women to dig deeper and heal. From my bed, I read and journaled a lot. I went to therapy, worked on my mindset, healed from past traumas and event became a self-love coach. Bodies in Motion then shifted into a wellness company that I am very proud of!

In 2020, I began offering 1-1 and group coaching, virtual wellness events and even launched in-person wellness retreats. BIM retreats are full-service, luxurious and filled with many self-love & self-care activities. I’ve had the honor of guiding so many women on their journey of self-discovery, emotional healing and truly loving, accepting and appreciating themselves.

What sets my business apart from others is that I offer wrap around support for my clients. Not only are my classes and events fun, but they are also therapeutic and healing. Many first timers think they are just attending an event for a night out with the girls but they end up leaving with a new mindset and motivated to do the inner work it takes to become a healthy and healed person. I am also very transparent about my own healing process. Even when I had to undergo foot surgery for a 2nd time, I took my clients on the journey with me. I shared how I had to evolve and learn more about my other, less physical sides. This transparency and relatability is what has really helped me grow the Bodies in Motion community. I always emphasize every BIM session is a safe space for women to learn, be vulnerable, connect with other women, heal and grow.

I am truly blessed to be the founder of a brand that has had such a positive impact in the lives of women!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that passion = profits. I thought because this particular business was a passion project that I would immediately begin earning large profits. The truth is, turning your passion into a business can sometimes make it harder to make logical business decisions. There were times I would price my services so low to better appeal to the masses because I wanted to help so many women. This was a poor business decision and resulted in me taking on too many clients at a low price point, leaving me burnt out and still not seeing a profit. Over the years, I’ve learned to run Bodies in Motion as a true business just like I learned in my MBA program. I still have moments when I want to help women out of the kindness of my heart, I just choose to channel those desires into volunteer opportunities with local charities and non-profits.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me have been beauty service providers such as hair stylists and nail technicians. Many women tend to share how they’re feeling with their service providers and I just love when the provider mentions Bodies in Motion! Word-of-mouth is the best form of marketing because it is free and people tend to believe people they trust. Over the years, I have held wellness events at beauty salons, spas and wellness centers. Meeting my clients in spaces they were already visiting for self-care makes converting them that much easier.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bodiesinmotionwellness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ericaashley_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-lawrence-3e