MOMpreneur: n. defined as a female business owner who is actively balancing the role of mom and the role of entrepreneur.
Happy Monday Modern Boca Moms! Welcome to our next installment of MOMpreneur Monday, highlighting Florida businesses and brands that were founded by female entrepreneurs and fellow Mommas.
Today’s featured MOMpreneur is…Paige Held, a yoga instructor and founder of The Yoga Joint, which just opened its newest location in West Boca Raton.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your professional background…
Before opening The Yoga Joint West Boca Raton, I became a mom to my daughter, Taylor Grace, and my son, Michael Jai. I am also a stepmom to two amazing young adults in their early twenties, Kella and Mac.
When I was 24 years old, I became pregnant with my son and after my boyfriend at the time found out “we” were having a baby, he left and went down a different path. After being a single mom for a few years, Michael’s dad and I decided to give it a go again and I got pregnant with my daughter. Shortly after her birth, the father and I split for good. Once again, I was a single mom to the most amazing children. I was also busy working full time as a yoga teacher, teaching 17 classes a week, doing workshops, and traveling to share my love and knowledge of yoga.
What led you to starting your own business?
After four years of being a mom and working so much for other people, I realized I was really good at helping people find their greatness through the teaching of yoga. I also realized I had a unique gift to inspire people to be a better version of themselves and live a much better life.
During this time, I was doing a ton of shuffling and multitasking. I was on welfare and didn’t make much money, so hiring a babysitter was not really an option. While I would teach, I would have anyone and everyone help me with my kids. Between family and friends it seemed to be working, but was it????
When my daughter was 16 months old, I met my now husband. He had two kids of his own. It was love at first sight and in the next year we blended our family. That first year was a whirlwind to say the least. Having a 1, 3, 12, and 13 year-old makes for a busy household. Having to take on the responsibilities of two more kids and their schedules made practicing yoga…interesting.
Although I never missed a day of work, I found I could not get on my mat as much as I liked. And as all yogis know, the way I am the best wife and mom is when I am taking care of myself.
When did it finally happen for you?
When our youngest was 3, I DID IT! I opened up my very first 4,500 square foot space with a daycare, beautiful showers, a wonderful boutique and a FULL schedule of classes to choose from. The Yoga Joint was an instant success! The families finally had a place to practice and people without children loved the clean, cool vibe the studio provided. Our first studio became a place where people of all ages and backgrounds could come together and have a sense of community.
We are now SO excited to be expanding our concept into The Yoga Joint West Boca Raton! The studios are full of so much love, family, community, fun events, retreats, trainings and so much more!
What is unique about The Yoga Joint West Boca Raton?
Childcare! After teaching and dragging my kids to sit in the lobby of the studio I was teaching at in my pre-MOMpreneur days, I had the idea to open my own studio that had a “kids club”/ “day care” area. I knew there was a huge need for this. There was nothing like it anywhere.
I thought it would be really unique to be able to take a great yoga class, in a yoga studio and know your children were right in the other room safe and happy. Or even better, know that your kids could take their own yoga class while you were taking yours.
What do you LOVE about living in South Florida?
I was born and raised in beautiful Fort Lauderdale and I feel so honored to be able to have made my passion and my lifestyle my career.
I feel so blessed to have my children be a part of the amazing people we have at the studios. I feel so lucky to be able to raise my kids in this beautiful area. The Yoga Joints bring the energy of the community up, making both parents and children happy.
Visit http://www.theyogajoint.com for more information and class schedules.
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