We recently connected with Kata Bilanchone and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kata thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

Many think that opening a yoga studio was a long time plan of mine, however this all came to happen quite unexpectedly. I had no intentions of opening a studio and much less buying one. But one cannot deny their fate… I was helping manage what was Green Monkey Yoga Studio, at the time, for about 2 years before my life flipped completely.

The owner at the time Eloy De Armas became my mentor and when he offered me the opportunity to buy the business my immediate thought was “I could never pull this off”. We had to relocate the business and the owner, my mentor, had a baby on the way so he felt it was time to pass the torch down to me…

I had less than 2 weeks to decide. I felt this heavy responsibility to keep the business alive and preserve everything we had built together over the past 2 years but on the other hand I was afraid.

Though I’ve taught yoga for more than a decade now, I had no experience whatsoever running a yoga studio.

From the moment I said yes, everything became a BLUR. We rushed to get financing, to find a new location, and to sign a new lease. In the midst of all that, I had to prove to my now team that I wouldn’t fail them nor the clients we adored so much.

We NEVER closed, not even for a day during the transition to our new location. My closest friends and I worked around the clock for 4 days straight before opening day in the new location.

We scrubbed every inch of the new space, painted every wall, and decorated as much as we could for opening day.

I spoke to every client I could, reassuring them that the company was in good hands. Many felt I was too young and naive.

Teachers that I needed most quickly left the team. I had to rebuild a new team throughout this delicate time while renovations were also taking place but luckily there were those who BELIEVED in me.

It’s been a year now that I’ve owned the company. I successfully relocated and rebranded the company, we are now Hanu Yoga Studio. Hanu for Hanuman, Indias cherished Warrior God.

It takes a WARRIOR to fight adversity. That’s who we are, we are HANU.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was 20 years old when I first started my yoga journey, I was seeking answers to very hard questions. I had lost my mother when I was 13 to suicide, as she suffered from addiction. Later at 22 my father unexpectedly passed away. Yoga was my only outlet it felt like. The only thing that could bring me peace. I realized then that if I can bring me peace and comfort than it could do so for SO MANY. I became a yoga teacher and NEVER looked back. It was the only job for me and my utmost calling.

After being certified, I studied in India for a summer where I got to fully immerse myself in Jain culture. I was studying Jainism for a course I was taking in college as I had dived deep into Eastern Philosophy.

Then my home studio where I ended up teaching for 7 years or so closed indefinitely during the pandemic. I was devastated to say the least. I lost my community and the classes I worked so hard to build overnight.

That’s how I ended up at Green Monkey, little did I know that I would be much more than a teacher.

I renamed the company Hanu Yoga Studio and assembled a new team entirely.

I am most proud of our unique class offerings and authentic teachers. We are far from just another trendy yoga studio.

Unlike most yoga studios, we offer a lot more than just Power Classes. We aim to serve our whole community, that is why we offer classes ranging from Breath & Meditation, Stretch & Mobility, to Ashtanga, Budokon, and Power Classes.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In the midst of running a new business and undergoing a massive renovation, a tropical storm hit Miami Beach. I had no idea the severity of the flood zone we were in. Overnight rain gushed in and lifted our freshly installed floors.

Over ten thousand dollars lost in one night. I’ll never forget my disbelief that morning as I walked into ankle high waters all over my studio.

After the anger dissipated, I said ok lets do it again.. and let’s do it better this time.

Even though it was a huge financial loss, the new floors and updated design came out much better.

I soon realized that being an entrepreneur means NEVER giving up, no matter the setbacks.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The biggest pivot of my life was going from an independent yoga teacher to a full on leader running a business. I was accustomed to managing one person and that one person was me.

When I took over the company, I inherited over 20 employees. It went from ME to US. I now have this ecosystem to care for and to keep alive.

Now I have to think twice before every decision I make and every word I speak. Many times I have to put my desires on the back burner to put my team first because that’s what a TRUE leader does- we eat last.

I want each and everyone of my teachers to be successful. I want Hanu to be a springboard for their success.

Contact Info:

• Website: Hanuyogamiami.com
• Instagram: @hanuyogamiami @bilanchone

Image Credits
Photos by Chris Bonilla and Kata Bilanchone