Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Saunders.
Kim, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My mission has always been to inspire, enrich and lift others up, and I’ve been doing that for over 20 years as both a licensed Psychotherapist and a yoga educator.
I have a passion for helping others to find their strength, joy, and serenity through movement and therapeutic techniques that help them balance their nervous system and feel embodied and vibrant.
My undergrad is in business finance, and I worked for 12 years corporately and as a national account manager for American Express. This taught me a lot about working with people, listening, understanding, and negotiating, and these skills later took me into opening a yoga studio with a counseling office in it to provide total mind body wholeness.
It grew 30% year over year over year, and when I was approached by two corporate chains and a business broker to sell, it was a tough decision, but it made financial and lifestyle sense at that time. My daughter was in high school and I wanted to spend time with her before college.
Now I have taken my concept and created what is called the YTT Collective, which is a collaborative cohort of boutique studios who have come together to offer the most advanced yoga training in the area.
My counseling practice is thriving and I feel honored to help so many people to flourish!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As an entrepreneur, you will face many challenges, and by this time I’ve gotten used to that. In fact, the challenges have taught me so much, and you learn about people’s natures, as well. I am a heart-centered leader who believes in autonomy and empowerment. You will encounter people who are jealous and try to do harm. Know your worth, your value, and don’t let small people try to alter your course.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
As a child, I would help my grandmother prepare the food for her hummingbird feeders and we would delight at watching these joyful and colorful creatures. The hummingbird became my logo when I created Lift Yoga in 2010. My studio was a place of beauty, strength, serenity, and my tagline was, let us be “The Lift You Need”.
After I sold my successful studio, my counseling practice now goes by this name. I have to give a shout-out to the truly creative Katie Bush who has created my websites and painted the Sun Room and Moon Room at the studio. She is magic!!
As the Founder of Lift Yoga and the YTT Collective, I’m honored to guide others in their awareness and growth. It has been a creative collaboration with many beautiful people!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Heart-centered leadership
Empower others
Collaborative efforts
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TheLiftYouNeed.
com - Instagram: @kimuplift
- Facebook: Kimberly Snow Saunders
- Other: www.YTTCollective.com
Image Credits
http://www.allencooley.com/
