We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lauren Chaitoff. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lauren below.
Lauren, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, what do you think about family businesses? Would you want your children or other family members to one day join your business?
My husband and I run our company together, which has been an incredible journey. Our children are still young, so it’s hard to say whether they’ll want to join the business someday, but for now, we’re enjoying building something meaningful as a team.
Working with your spouse is an amazing experience, but it also requires careful boundaries around work and life since the two can overlap so often. We’ve learned the importance of setting aside time that’s purely for family or ourselves, separate from business discussions, to maintain balance and harmony.
One of the reasons we work so well together is that we have complementary strengths and weaknesses. What one of us may find challenging, the other excels at, allowing us to bring different but equally valuable perspectives to the business. This balance not only helps us run our company efficiently but also strengthens our partnership as a couple.
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.
My bio is below: Lauren Chaitoff is the founder and chief visionary of Yogi Beans, a yoga and wellness technology company for children.
Already steeped in the modern fitness world as a Pilates instructor, Lauren’s perspective shifted when she was taught about yoga’s mind-body-heart connection, catalyzing her pursuit of higher yoga education. After moving back to New York City, Lauren completed her 200–hour yoga certification through YogaWorks and became a registered E–RYT Yoga Instructor and member of the Yoga Alliance. Lauren is also certified to teach Postnatal Yoga through Yoga Mom, Buddha Baby with Jyothi Larson.
In 2007, Lauren designed a novel curriculum that plants the seeds for authenticity and authentic expression in children. With the help of her husband Brian, the yang to her yin, they created a framework for well-being that is the basis for uniquely enriching wellness experiences for children through both content and activity. See our values visualized in the Yogi Beans Manifesto.
Lauren is a graduate of Northwestern University, wife to an amazing husband, and mother to her own two beans, Vivienne Bell 💜 Juliette Rose.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Early on in my journey, I faced significant challenges from an unexpected source—another woman in the yoga industry, ironically enough. She actively tried to undermine me, turning other leaders in the field against me and speaking disparagingly about my business in front of potential clients. It was deeply disheartening and left me battling a great deal of imposter syndrome.
Eventually, I found the courage to confront her and stand up for both myself and my business. This pivotal moment was not just about protecting Yogi Beans but also about reclaiming my confidence and belief in what I had built.
Adding to the challenges, I experienced two failed business partnerships that tested my resilience. At one point, I even stepped away from my business entirely, overwhelmed by the weight of these setbacks. When I returned, I had to buy back the very business I had created from an ex-partner—a humbling and transformative experience.
I often think of Yogi Beans as the “rat that survives the atomic bomb.” It’s a symbol of resilience and determination. There have been countless opportunities for me to quit or give up in the face of hardships, but I’ve always held steadfast in my belief in the mission and vision of Yogi Beans.
Today, with my husband and me as the full owners, our business is thriving. The energy and passion we pour into the company fuel its success. Every challenge we’ve faced has only strengthened our commitment to creating something truly impactful, and it’s that perseverance that has carried us to where we are now.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
The best advice I can offer for managing a team is to shift your mindset: don’t think of yourself as a “boss.” Instead, think of yourself as a leader who works with the team, not above them. Leadership is about collaboration, respect, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.
In my 17 years of running Yogi Beans, some of my most rewarding moments have come from the gratitude my team has expressed. When instructors write me letters or share heartfelt words about how much they enjoy working with me and for Yogi Beans, it means the world to me. I treasure these messages and keep every single one.
A true testament to our workplace culture is how often my team members refer friends and colleagues to teach with us. This speaks volumes about how much they enjoy being part of the Yogi Beans community. I believe this level of loyalty and enthusiasm comes from prioritizing genuine appreciation and mutual respect.
It’s so important to never place yourself on a pedestal above your team. The moment you think you’re “better” or more important than them, you lose the connection that makes a team thrive. Instead, lead with humility and always recognize that your success is a shared effort.
Celebrate their wins, listen to their ideas, and acknowledge their hard work. A simple “thank you” or genuine appreciation can go a long way in fostering trust and motivation. At the end of the day, the strength of your business lies in the strength of your team, and the more valued they feel, the stronger your company will be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yogibeans.com
- Instagram: @yogi_beans
- Facebook: @yogibeans
