Sharing an exchange I recently had with the Melrose Commision on Women back in November.  Perhaps I'll be popping up on their FB page soon:) 

The Melrose Commission on Women Facebook page is featuring a series of profiles on female entrepreneurs and business owners in Melrose. We're looking for some insights from you on being a woman in business, what may have changed since you started your business, or what still needs to change, what special challenges you see for yourself or others, advice you'd offer, or other specific ways your business experience is different because you're a woman.

I have lived in Melrose for 15 years. Melrose Boot Camp has been going strong for over 10. It is the success of MBC that inspired me to take on an additional challenge: to open a physical location.  I opened Joy Yoga on Green St. in February of 2014. Now not only am I able to provide physical training opportunities but also yoga and enrichment programs for all ages. I am also in a position to support the dreams of others: local artists, therapist, yoga instructors and many more who need a place to share their gifts.  When I hear someone describe Joy Yoga as a community center, it makes me smile!

Authenticity is key, and my advice to anyone considering opening a small business is to make sure your business aligns with your gifts and that you really, really want to make it happen and truly love what you do. I suggest starting small, being patient, volunteering, offering your services or goods free or at discount and taking the time to get to know the community in which you want to build your business.

As a woman in business, and more specifically, in the business of health and wellness, I face some unique challenges.  The work I do is built on relationships,  which aligns perfectly with the emotional connection I am inherently driven as a woman to have have with people.  However this can sometimes be a hindrance to my making tough but necessary business decisions. 

I am proud of what I do and hope I may serve as a role model for the young girls I teach that anything is possible! I want to be the person for them that I needed when I was younger.  I am grateful for the amazing opportunity I’ve been given and the loyal clients who have entrusted me with their health and well being.  I am blessed to be doing something I love and I never take that for granted.

Well here we are! Today is the second day of 2017! And I'm proud to say I've logged my second day of miles as part of the Marathon Sports Winter Warrior Challenge! I've committed, along with a whole bunch of my MBC teammates, to get outside every day for the month of January for a run or a walk. #WinterWarriorMA
Yesterday I hit the trails with my friend Joanne and covered four miles in the Middlesex Fells Reservation. Today I woke up early and started meal prep for the week.  In just a couple of hours I cooked up a whole bunch of yumminess. For me, preparation is key! When I'm hungry and I want something quick that's when I grab it at a store or order takeout in the evening. When I buy prepared meals, more often than not, they are not the wisest choices.  I want to get healthier than I am now and I want to get back into running after a bit of a hiatus. I have a pretty good idea of how much I weigh right now but instead of focusing on the number on the scale I'm going to focus on my mental health and how I feel in my body.
My fridge is stocked and I'm feeling pretty motivated. And wow the fresh air and sunshine on these fortunately nice winter days has been fabulous for my mental health. We will see how I do on the less then perfect weather days. But I am pretty darn hopeful right now.
​What are you doing to start off your new year right?