Today we’d like to introduce you to Katye Hegedus.
Katye, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Minimal Shanti stems from the idea that we can live a more meaningful life by living simply, which gives us time and space for what is truly important. I began practicing yoga in 2001 and knew very quickly, I wanted to teach it someday. Then, in 2012, in an effort to live more naturally and healthfully, I started making my own home and body care products, including deodorant and lotions. I also began to learn about and practice minimalism – not in an ascetic sense, but what I call “functional minimalism” – getting rid of the unnecessary while keeping what brings value and joy to our lives. I was finally able to attend yoga teacher training in 2015 and have been teaching since. I went vegan that same year and the idea for my business really started to come together. I always knew I wanted to work for myself and now, I was living a lifestyle that I could use as an example to guide others.
I began preparing and making progress on Minimal Shanti as much as I could while working full-time on a business with my husband, as well as being a wife and mother. Last summer my marriage ended unexpectedly, leaving me out of a full-time job and propelling me forward into entrepreneurship. I now teach six yoga and meditation classes per week and have an Etsy shop where I sell my all natural, plant-based home and body care products. My next step is to get my products placed in local stores and get my YouTube channel up and running. I can’t fully express how excited and grateful to get to share this lifestyle with others.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The inception of Minimal Shanti has been difficult, as creating and manifesting anything important typically is. The biggest struggle I experienced was trying to find the time and energy to devote to my business goals while working full-time to support my family, caring for a child, and trying to heal a challenging relationship. The process has been slow and arduous, but completely worth it. When there is something you are driven to do it doesn’t matter how long it takes, you’ll find ways to keep moving forward. You may have to stop and start, or move in the wrong direction and have to start completely over. But never, never stop moving, creating, struggling through it. We all have something unique to share with the world and it’s our job to get it out there.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Minimal Shanti – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
There are multiple facets to Minimal Shanti. At its core, my intention is to help others live a simpler, more peaceful, more healthful and more meaningful life. I teach yoga and meditation at Core Bodyworks in Acworth and privately, offer corporate yoga classes, sell handmade, all-natural, vegan home and body care products in my Etsy shop and blog about philosophy, minimalism, and natural living.
I am most proud of the fact that, I live what I teach. I refuse to teach or sell something that I don’t practice or use myself. I’m not perfect — I don’t always eat whole foods or practice yoga every day, but I do follow a vegan diet and meditate daily. I know how these practices have transformed my own life and am passionate in my desire to guide others to find that same peace and meaning.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I have three main focuses right now. The first is to get my soaps and body butters into local stores. In addition, I am working on an online intro to meditation course. I believe daily meditation is essential for living our best lives – you can see this just by researching how successful people begin their days – there is almost always some kind of meditative or spiritual practice involved. Lastly, I intend to get my YouTube channel fully up and running, so I can share yoga and meditation instruction there, as well as my best minimalism/natural living tips and recipes.
Pricing:
- Yoga Classes at Core Bodyworks – $15 drop in (packages available)
- Private Yoga/Meditation – $45-60 per hour
- Diet/Lifestyle Coaching – $30 per session
Contact Info:
- Website: www.minimalshanti.org
- Phone: 770-896-5333
- Email: katye.hegedus@gmail.com
- Instagram: @minimalshanti
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/minimalshanti
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