An interview with young entrepreneur Lydia Siebenga of Grow With the Flow Yoga.
Describe your business.
There is not too much to my business: it is simply me. I teach yoga classes in the
Quinte area working for a few studios as well as on my own. Everything I do
independently is ‘pay what you can’ because I really want yoga to be accessible
for everyone! With so much hustle and bustle these days, yoga can bring a
sense of peace and calmness, which I think everyone deserves no matter your
experience level or pay grade.
All of my classes are open to the public and I am always on the lookout for new
places to host classes – whether it be outside under the sun or in a corporate
setting. Yoga can be practiced anywhere.
My classes may be a little different because at the very end of class I often allow
time for students to be still, with their eyes closed, in silence, focusing on the
breath (call it meditation if you want). Our brain and our body crave time to relax, with no stimulation. It is essential for our well-being and allows us to perform at our best, improving our focus as well as our mental health!
What brought you to the region?
My family has lived north of Belleville for over 13 years now on a dairy farm.
After finishing my business degree I moved back home to Belleville and saved up
money so I could pursue my Yoga Teacher Training in Bali, Indonesia (which had
been my dream for years!). Since my trip, I have been working to create a little
business for myself – and what better place to do that then in a community you
are already familiar with?!
What makes the Bay of Quinte a good fit for your business?
The biggest reason is because Quinte is my home. Another reason is it’s such a
growing area! I have been blown away by the amount of new housing and
construction going on. Opportunities have been jumping at me out of nowhere
and I still feel like I am just getting started in the industry.
What was the hardest thing about starting a business?
The hardest part for me is finding the time to grow my business. I work two jobs
and then teach yoga on top of that so it is always difficult to set aside time to
achieve my personal goals. There are so many opportunities out there, but it can
often feel like I might be missing out on some of them because of this.
What advice do you have for entrepreneurs in the area?
1. Don’t try to get everything done all at once, take on each task one at a time.
2. Be flexible. Not everything will fit into your schedule when you want it to –
creating a business sometimes means dropping everything to meet someone last
minute, late nights, or sacrificing some of your social life/personal time.
3. Be easy going, don’t make the little things a big deal, go with the flow.
4. Be grateful. Every opportunity that comes your way, be thankful for it!
5. Don’t be afraid to ask. If you never ask, you never know. Whether it be for
time off, a business opportunity, meet-ups, anything. Contact people and get
yourself out there.
What surprised you about starting a business in a smaller community?
The opportunities. I never imagined to be teaching the amount that I do in this
short amount of time. I wasn’t even sure if I would teach right away after my
training, but the opportunities arrived and I just went for it.
Describe your perfect day off.
Honestly, anything outside under the sun. Whether it be practicing my long
boarding (I’ve been trying to learn), hiking, swimming, biking or practicing yoga
(shocker, I know).
What’s your secret to surviving winter?
A cozy wood fireplace at my parents’ house, skating in the backyard, visiting
family, staying active so I don’t feel like I am turning into a icicle myself, or when it is feeling really long: taking a trip to someplace warm with a loved one.
If you were to have one word tattooed on you, what would it be?
Faith.
Check back with us as we discover more BoQ Young Entrepreneurs.
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