Welcome to our first blog post! As this year comes to an end, I thought it to be the perfect time to write it — a year of website launches, new partnerships, and turning 50!
It was a year ago this month when someone reached out to help me with branding, marketing, and growing my social media numbers. Although I've not done all of what my brand coach recommended (😅), she has helped me to take Get Even Yoga to the next level! So, I think it appropriate to start with gratitude to Sia Tania and The Design Boutique! Thank you, sis for all you've done, including designing this website. Your vision, style, and creativity are unmatched!
Partnerships
Thank you to my good friend and Founder/CEO of Ingredients Count, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz, who believed in my wild vision to hold a one-day retreat for women of color at her beautiful home on Bainbridge Island. Before having an official name for my yoga business, Tracy and I partnered to cofound Shift: One-Day Wellness Retreats. We piloted our first Shift event in the summer of 2023. For that event, I ordered a number of 100% organic cotton handwoven blankets (as well as yoga mats, for personal/familial use) from a growing woman-owned business in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
That consumer-business relationship led to an unexpected collaborative partnership between Get Even Yoga and Maitreya. In the summer of 2024, Get Even Yoga became exclusive U.S. distributors of Maitreya organic cotton and hemp yoga mats. I appreciate Maitreya's Founder/CEO Nidhi Suryavanshi for her trust in me and Get Even Yoga.
Shortly after, Get Even Yoga became partners with Wonder of Women International, as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at WOW Gallery–Seattle. Much gratitude to WOW's Visionary, Veronica Very Davis, for seeing me...and investing in me. As a WOW partner, we provide wellness services for WOW retreats, as well as private sessions, events, and classes at the Seattle gallery located in Pacific Place Mall in downtown Seattle.
Gratitude for Providence and Family
I could not have done any of this without trusting and knowing the creative force inside of me that I sometimes refer to as God. I am grateful for their providence! I always have what I need and who I need, when I need.
Which brings me to my husband, who has been right by my side this whole time! I could say, "I couldn't have done this without him." But that wouldn't be true. What is true is that I couldn't have done it this way without him! His support has allowed me to move with ease and joy! Our relationship is one that truly "holds invaluable value" (thanks for that one, Ms. Veronica). And for that I will forever be grateful for him!
Turning 50
It's not by coincidence that such major progress in my growing business has happened/is happening this year. It's my 50th Sun Circle. Turning 50 is a remarkable milestone for anyone, but because I'm a woman — a Black woman, I look at it as a trifecta of birthdays!
The shift I'm feeling in my mind, body, and emotions is inexplicable. Where I once doubted or second-guessed many of my thoughts, ideas, decisions, positions, and points of view, I now proceed with a level of confidence I've never experienced before. My "yes," is "yes!" My "no," is "no!" I don't take others' projections personal and I don't make assumptions. I am fully present and aware.
From Uncertainty to Knowing
It'll be three years next month since I left my job as the executive editor at a national magazine. And although I did not doubt that decision to leave, I did experience subsequent uncertainty. That uncertainty has been replaced with knowing.
I know that I am on my intentional path. I know that I am enough. I know that everything that is happening in my life is happening for me, with me, through me, and as me. I know that I ain't seen nothing yet.
The best is yet to come, not only for me, but for all those who experience Get Even Yoga.
Looking Ahead
In future blog posts, you can look forward to updates, new news, and helpful meditations, breath practices, and asanas.
I welcome your feedback in the form of comments, questions, testimonies, photos, etc. I also invite you to subscribe so you won't miss out on all the happenings and special event and product promotions.
Until next year!
With gratitude,
