Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Renee Manning. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Renee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

Being in the yoga and wellness business, I was surprised by the negative pushback I received from other studio owners when I first started pre-marketing. I expected everyone to be very “zen” and to have an abundance mindset about a similar business entering the space.

I was taken aback by the negative feedback and mild threats from some studio owners about “protecting” their territory.

At one point, I had to take a lot of deep breaths and consult my lawyer to ensure I was on the right track. I also had to tweak my hiring process and reconsider how I look for partnerships.

It’s worth noting that I did extensive market research before starting this business. Vacation Yoga® caters to two growing markets. The U.S. travel and tourism industry is projected to grow steadily over the next few years, with the U.S. Travel Association forecasting increased travel spending driven by both domestic and international tourism. As for wellness, the fitness and mind-body segment, which includes yoga, pilates, and related activities, is a substantial part of the wellness industry. The fitness industry alone was valued at approximately $33 billion in 2021.

This research shows that there is plenty of room to grow my business without it being detrimental to another entrepreneur’s small business. Plus, competition keeps us on our toes! I want to be the best mobile studio owner—not the only one!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Is there a word for the opposite of an entrepreneur? “Anti-preneur”? Ha! Because that was ME! Raised in a military family that celebrated consistency, reliability, and practicality, I always saw a traditional career path as the only option. It wasn’t until I worked for entrepreneurs for many years that I realized I could also forge my own career path. Venturing into entrepreneurship really pushed me out of my comfort zone because there is nothing consistent, practical, or reliable about it!

After two challenging experiences with the standard healthcare system left me feeling disillusioned and frustrated, I decided it was time to explore alternative healing modalities. I carefully researched acupuncture, nutrition, chiropractic, health coaching, massage therapy, and yoga. This journey empowered me to branch out from conventional medicine and discover healing treatments and preventive strategies that led me and my family to a life of improved health and well-being. Cultivating this sense of personal empowerment and self-reliance is a cornerstone of my work as a Health & Well-Being Coach and founder of Vacation Yoga®.

Initially, I had a business coach tell me that Vacation Yoga® wasn’t a good business idea. She had tried something similar and found it challenging and not viable. Yikes—this stung—and it caused me to put my idea on the back burner for a while because I really respected her experience and guidance. However, the idea never fully left my mind. I believed I could craft a viable business that would fulfill my vision. So, despite the advice, I decided to launch the business in 2022. We’ve grown every year since then!

Vacation Yoga® is all about relaxation, connection, and support. Our classes are unique experiences—they are not what you would get in a studio. To accomplish this, my teachers are not only well-trained as yoga instructors but are also trained in our method of partner poses and using natural spaces as our studio.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

From the beginning, I have wanted to create an empowering environment for yoga instructors where they feel both part of a team and free to bring their own personality into their classes. I achieved this by establishing brand guidelines and class benchmarks. As long as these are followed, teachers have the flexibility to explore additional techniques. I also created a feedback loop so we can share what’s working and what’s not—this is crucial because we are a fully mobile business and lack natural, in-person interaction. I learn something every time we connect, and I know our client experience is better for it!

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I bootstrapped my business.

Funding was a major factor in how I mapped out the business plan for Vacation Yoga®.

Let me step back: I initially explored buying a traditional brick-and-mortar yoga studio. What struck me when looking at businesses for sale was that the #1 expense, by far, was rent. As a recovering “anti-preneur,” this made me really nervous. That’s when I hatched the mobile concept. The startup costs and monthly expenses were considerably lower than those of a standalone studio.

Now, to be transparent, we don’t do the same volume as a studio; however, because we have low costs, there is a lot less risk. Another interesting difference is that I can pay the teachers a bit more than I could in a traditional studio. The flip side is that I can’t guarantee a set schedule of classes, so my team is made up of part-time instructors who are okay with inconsistent income.

This year marks our third year of full operation, and we will have made back our initial investment, which included legal fees, website, professional photos, branding package, and advertising. There are also ongoing fees such as insurance, website and phone hosting, partner development, and team-building expenses.

Depending on a person’s financial situation, risk tolerance, and desired revenue, there are definitely options for starting a new venture! Don’t give up before you try to find a creative solution that works for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vacationyoga.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-manning-a087423/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRX5Q1tdvSMPUfMni4XXD6w

Image Credits

Oriana Fowler