Building an Online Business From Passion and Persistence (with Ann Swanson)

💡 Guest bio

Ann is a passionate yoga instructor who found her calling after a transformative trip to India. Her own journey from dark, anxious stages of life to feeling lighter and more creative fueled her desire to share the benefits of yoga and meditation with others. Starting with teaching at local yoga studios, retirement communities, and community centers, Ann eventually moved her practice online to reach those dealing with chronic pain, arthritis, and disabilities. Despite skepticism, she continued to pursue her mission and eventually completed her master's degree in yoga therapy while expanding her online presence. Her dedication to helping others find wellness and peace through yoga is a testament to her unwavering commitment to her practice.

ℹ️ Introduction

In this episode of the Frugalpreneur podcast, we feature Ann, a bootstrapped entrepreneur who has found success by sharing her passion for yoga, meditation, and mind-body practices. From teaching in yoga studios to moving her business online, Ann has navigated her journey with resilience and resourcefulness. She shares her tips on building a business slowly, hiring the right people, and personally promoting her books. Ann's dedication to her craft shines through as she discusses the impact of meditation on her entrepreneurial endeavors and invites listeners to explore her latest book, "Meditation for the Real World." Tune in to gain valuable insights and inspiration from Ann's frugalpreneurial journey.

📚 Timestamped overview

00:00 Yoga transformed life leading to online teaching.

06:02 Author emphasizes personal approach to book promotion.

07:56 Entrepreneur uses brief meditations to manage pressure.

❇️ Key topics and bullets

Primary Topic: Entrepreneurial Journey

- Ann's transformation from a consumer of yoga and meditation to an entrepreneur

- Starting small by teaching in-person yoga classes

- Transitioning to offering online yoga classes pre-pandemic

- Utilizing her background in yoga therapy to teach and write about yoga

- The impact of the pandemic on her business and the shift to focus on online offerings

- Writing articles online, leading to a book deal and becoming a published author

- Balancing teaching, writing, and self-promotion while managing her business

- The slow growth and evolution of her business, including hiring her first employee after a decade

Primary Topic: Building a Business Slowly

- Starting with teaching yoga classes and being a massage therapist

- Managing all aspects of the business herself initially

- Slow but sustainable growth with a small team of only three members

- Focusing on writing and serving clients instead of growing the team

- Opting for a multimillion-dollar business with a small team rather than managing a large team

Primary Topic: Hiring and Team Management

- The challenges of hiring and issues with previous hires

- Improving the hiring process to find the right fit and maintain a strong team

- The importance of hiring the right people and the impact of a strong team member

Primary Topic: Book Promotion

- Ann's approach to promoting her books without a publicist

- Personalized outreach to readers for reviews and engagement

- Directly reaching out to podcast hosts and using services like podmatch.com for podcast appearances

- Maximizing personalized and cost-effective strategies for book promotion

Primary Topic: Integrating Mind-Body Practices into Entrepreneurship

- The critical role of meditation in managing the pressures of entrepreneurship

- Incorporating meditation into daily routines for decision-making and energy management

- Promoting her book, "Meditation for the Real World," and offering free audio meditations for challenging times

- Collaborating with a Harvard researcher to integrate cutting-edge research on meditation into her book

Primary Topic: Conclusion and Call to Action

- Encouraging listeners to check out her new book, "Meditation for the Real World"

- Providing links to website and free audio meditations for support during challenging times

- Emphasizing the importance of optimizing sleep for better entrepreneurship and financial decisions

❓ Questions

1. Have you ever considered taking your business or passion online, and if not, what would you expect the challenges to be?

2. What are your thoughts on the concept of "bootstrapping" a business, and how do you think it influences the company's growth and sustainability?

3. In what ways has the guest's experience and success with her small team challenged your perception of what is possible when growing a business?

4. How have you overcome setbacks in your own hiring process, and what procedures have you implemented to ensure a better fit for future hires?

5. What are your thoughts on the cost-effective methods the guest used for promoting her book, and do you think similar tactics could be applied to your own marketing strategies?

6. How do you prioritize self-care and mindfulness in your entrepreneurial journey, and how have these practices impacted your business decisions and overall well-being?

7. What factors lead you to believe that direct communication from an author yields a more positive response from podcast hosts and potential reviewers?

8. In what ways do you think the promotion of the guest's book could be tailored to resonate with a larger entrepreneurial audience?

9. How have meditation and mindfulness contributed to the success of the guest's business, and how do you think they could be incorporated into other entrepreneurial ventures?

10. What part of the guest's business approach, from embracing online teaching to keeping a small team, do you find most intriguing or applicable to your own entrepreneurial journey?

Resources:

www.meditationfortherealworld.com

www.frugal.show/emailtooltester

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