You and your story are a shining beam of light for someone who is on the fence about whether or not they have what it takes. That has always been the driving force that keeps me doing what I’m doing. I know this is true. I know you have a gift and my entire business is dedicated to helping you share it.
My hope is that by reading the stories of other happy business owners, and how they finally achieved their own brand of happy, you will feel comfortable embarking on the miraculous journey to discover your own.
So, for this second installment, I am sharing my interview with the lovely Missy Balsam. I am honored to call Missy my client and friend. I love you, my shakti sister!
Interview with Missy Balsam
missybalsamyoga.com
What were you doing before you started your business?
In my “past life” as I like to call it, I was in the corporate world big-time, working in sales and marketing as a national account manager for a litigation consulting firm. To say I have done a 180, teaching yoga and singing kirtan, is the understatement of the year!
How long did it take you to feel like you’ve got the hang of this whole entrepreneur thing? Was there a specific “aha” moment?
Honestly, I’m still not sure I’ve got the hang of it. Some days I feel completely bad-ass, like I’m on top of everything, and other days I feel completely overwhelmed. Every day brings new challenges, but I absolutely love being in charge of my own destiny.
What was your biggest challenge/block in regards to launching your business?
Overcoming the fear that I wouldn’t be able to make enough money to survive as a yoga teacher. I was a new mother and unfortunately going through a divorce at the same time that my son was an infant. It was an incredibly hard time of my life, and I had a lot of fears I had to let go of. I was conditioned to believe that you were as good as your resume looked, and it was catastrophic to have a “gap” in your resume if you took a break from getting job after job. I’m so grateful that I believed in myself enough to persevere, and the universe supported me because I kept the faith. It’s like that saying, “leap and the net will appear.”
What has been your happiest moment as a business owner?
The first time I got asked to teach at a national festival, Bhakti Fest Midwest, especially being from Florida and teaching at a Midwest festival. Bhakti Yoga is my passion, and it was a dream come true to be able to share my teachings with an audience that was truly my tribe. A couple of years later, I was both teaching yoga and performing my music on the main stage at Bhakti Fest West in Joshua Tree, CA.
What is your favorite part of being a business owner?
Having the freedom to be able to carve time out of my day to do things that are important to me, whether it’s having lunch with a girlfriend, relaxing at the beach, or spending time my son when he gets home from school. Although lately I haven’t given myself much free time at all, since I have been working non-stop on recording my first studio album! But even so, I am doing what I absolutely love and am passionate about, so it’s all good.
Where is your favorite place to get work done?
I love being home, and I have a little corner set up in my living room with a desk that overlooks the preserve in my backyard, so when I get to spend some time at home during the day I like to work on my computer there. When I’m able to get to the beach, that’s my favorite spot for letting my mind wander and getting inspiration.
What does your morning ritual look like?
When my son is with me, it’s getting him up and ready for school, making his breakfast and lunch, etc. When he’s not, I like to do a little inspirational reading in one of my many books by favorite authors such as Abraham-Hicks, Wayne Dyer and Gabrielle Bernstein before going off to teach my 9 am yoga class.
Do you have a mantra? What is it? Why?
Since I am a kirtan singer, I have many mantras that I love to sing daily! I sing along with my favorite kirtan artists on playlists I create when I teach my yoga classes, and of course I write my own music too. My favorite mantras are the Ganesha mantra to remove obstacles – Om Gum Ganapataye Namaha – and the Shiva mantra for transformation – Om Namah Shivaya.
What is the first thing on your to-do list for today?
It was actually completing this interview with you! I support you and believe in what you are doing to help women succeed as business owners, and I am thrilled that you asked me to share my story! After this, I am off to the recording studio to work on my album!
What do you do when you’re feeling unmotivated/uninspired?
Putting on some of my favorite music, usually kirtan, and singing my heart out generally does the trick! I also like to practice yoga nidra, a wonderful form of guided meditation that puts me back in a calm, centered space.
How do you wind down after a busy day?
Lately I love to chill out at home more than anything. I come home, sometimes pour a glass of Merlot, make some pasta (my fave comfort food) and watch episodes of Inside Amy Schumer! She makes me literally laugh out loud, and laughing is such great therapy!
If you can give one piece of advice to someone who wants to embark on starting their own business, what would it be?
Believe in yourself and your dreams. If you don’t, no one else will.
Have you ever worked with a business coach? If so, why…what for…and how was it?
I have worked with you to help me with my branding*, and I would recommend your services to any woman on a mission to light up the world with her gifts! I am so happy that we met…I value you as my coach and my friend!
*You can go here to learn more about my private Brand Voice Coaching.
Missy’s Bio:
Missy Balsam is a kirtan artist and yoga teacher living in Naples, Florida. During her yoga journey, Missy fell in love with kirtan, or the singing of mantras and divine names, and started on the path of Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of love and devotion. Missy is passionate about sharing her love of Bhakti which has created boundless joy in her life. She infuses this love into her dynamic, spirited yoga classes as well as her inspirational music and lyrics that she sings from the heart. In 2015, she performed on the main stage at Bhakti Fest West in Joshua Tree, California, Bhakti Fest Midwest in Madison, WI and Hamptons Yoga Fest in Long Island, NY, and this summer she will be a featured performer at the inaugural Lovelight Yoga and Arts Festival in Maryland. Missy’s debut studio album “Revealed” will be released in summer 2016.