Connecting to Values
Recently I took time to begin developing a plan for my business going forward. Which included revisiting my values.
When I started my business I didn't have a specific ‘niche’ for who I was keen to work with.
However, I knew I wanted to help people slow down by sharing Yin Yoga with them. I taught my own online classes and in a studio.
Fast forward to now…
I don't teach my regular weekly yoga classes anymore and instead I offer private sessions on request and pop up classes/workshops.
My mindfulness practice and offerings has grown and it has become the main focus of my business.
I share more offerings for children and families compared to before where all my classes were only for adults (other than my digital products).
The core values I have reflected on for my business are:
Diversity and Inclusion
Collaboration
Impact
Authenticity
Below I share more details on how I aim to connect to these values within my business.
Diversity and Inclusion
This is a value that I have always held and been aware of in my personal and professional life.
From my discussions with a few people within the wellness field, we all notice and are aware that it isn't very diverse in Scotland. Similarly in some areas individuals might not feel included or have a fear of not being accepted or included.
With this in mind, I strive to ensure that my services are as inclusive as possible and that I am reaching diverse groups of people.
The ways I have integrated this in my business is by publishing Slow Down Amaya, my debut picture book, which includes racially diverse and neurodiverse characters. The second book will be ready later this year and continues the theme of diversity, representation and acceptance.
I have been in contact with places where I could visit to share book readings with children from varied backgrounds. One example is that I’m visiting LS Tuition this summer for two sessions during their summer school. They support a lot of neurodiverse children and children who require extra support and tailored learning compared to mainstream school.
Training
I now offer diversity and inclusion training to businesses to help support them to ‘Create a Racially Inclusive Workplace’. I am also able to offer individual workshops to companies depending on their needs and interests.
I'm excited to be in discussions about delivering workshops as part of Sarah Madagin’s Spectacular School coaching programme. This will help a new cohort of coaches develop awareness and understanding of welcoming people from diverse cultural backgrounds and how they can be inclusive in their professional practice.
Workshops
This summer, I will be sharing a private Yin Yoga workshop with a group of Black women and Black non-binary individuals at Body Remedy in Glasgow.
Within the wellness space in Edinburgh and Glasgow, I'm unsure about other areas in Scotland, there aren't many yoga classes specifically for Black women and non-binary people. I’m looking forward to being part of the Body Remedy’s programme of workshops this year.
Online Course
I have started creating my first online course for parents of children with Additional Support Needs/Special Educational Needs.
This is a new aspect of my business, however I have a lot of experience supporting parents and children with ASN/SEN in my community education related roles over the last 15 years. I am keen to do more work with this group of people in future. Who knows I might decide to make it my niche at some point!
I'm excited to continue and develop my work relating to diversity and inclusion going forward.
Collaboration
As a solo business owner I don't have my own team. Everything that I do behind the scenes and for everyone to see is done by me.
Therefore, I enjoy working alongside other people to create new and varied offerings. Bringing together skills and talents from other’s working in the wellness space helps reach more people to support their wellbeing.
Over the next few months I will be sharing workshops with:
Pippa from Enrapt Jewellery to offer a Creative Mindfulness: Yoga and Wire Wrapping Workshop for 9-12 year olds and their parent/carer
Faye from Yoga with Faye to share a Family Yoga Morning with creative games.
Nicole from Nicole Schiattino Reiki bringing your our Summer Nourish with N&N Reiki and Yoga Nidra workshop.
If you would like to come together to create a new offering I would love to chat to you. Email me at hello@butterfly-minds.co.uk to discuss how we can work together.
I have aso booked into a few co-working sessions arranged over summer which will be nice to bounce ideas with others.
Impact
In everything that I do I hope to make a positive impact on individuals, families and the general world.
I love hearing about the difference I have made in people's lives by working with them.
Receiving feedback and testimonials is a great way for me to measure the level of impact that I'm making.
I also keep a note of the number of children who attend my author visits to keep track of how many people I reach.
By changing who I work with from mainly adults to now working with children and families I feel that I am able to make a larger impact. I recently taught a yoga and mindfulness session to teenagers at Big Hearts Community Trust, in Edinburgh, which was great!
Authenticy
Sometimes it can be hard to know how much and what to share on social media. It can be a fine balance between sharing and oversharing. Although everyone has different levels of comfort, it’s a personal choice of what they want to share.
I think that I am authentic within my business and what I offer . When it comes to social media, I sometimes don't think I have anything exciting to share or that people will be interested! This could be a limiting belief as I'm sure there would probably be at least one person interested.
I have ups and downs in my energy levels depending on how much (but mostly how little) sleep I have had. I tend to have creative bursts of energy at random times throughout the day, mostly in the evenings, which is when my ideas for offerings, social media, blog and mailing list come through.
‘Authenticity’ is a value that I am keen to work on through becoming more visible on social media, mainly Instagram stories! I think the fear of being judged is the main barrier that I internally face. My mindfulness self-practice helps with this and within other aspects of my life.
Closing Thoughts
It has been a useful exercise revisiting my values. It has allowed me to pause and reflect on what I feel passionate about and how best I can showcase my work while staying true to my values.
It has further helped steer what I would like to do in the future.
What are your values?
I would love to hear from you. Send me a message on Instagram @butterfly_minds_ or email me at hello@butterfly-minds.co.uk