{Spotlight} Giselle Shardlow. Impacting Kids One Yoga Pose at a Time

Giselle Shardlow

Company: Kids Yoga Stories LLC

Q.

Tell us a little about yourself

I’m the author of Kids Yoga Stories. My yoga books for kids get children learning, moving, and having fun. I draw from my experiences as a teacher, traveler, yogi, and mom to write, and you can find the stories at www.kidsyogastories.com/store or on Amazon (amazon.com/author/giselleshardlow) worldwide. The purpose of my yoga books is to foster happy, healthy, and globally educated children.

Q.

Why did you start your own business? Did you have an aha moment?

I started publishing yoga books for kids when my daughter was nine months old, so that I could read and act out my yoga stories with her. I worked on the yoga books when she was napping in the afternoon. At that time, I referred to Kids Yoga Stories as my “naptime business.” I had started writing the yoga stories about ten years prior to that, and the ideas had been niggling at me ever since. As a new mom, I was determined to do something for myself and fulfill my dreams.

Q.

What’s your favorite thing about business?

My favorite part is the positive and rewarding relationships I’ve created over the years. I’ve also received positive feedback from families around the world who have read the yoga books. Fulfilling my mission of fostering healthy, happy, and globally educated kids is extremely exciting and soul enriching.

Q.

What’s your least favorite thing about business?

My least favorite part is not knowing how to grow bigger and the uncertainty of whether I should be continuing this publishing business or if I’m crazy for trying to be a mom-entrepreneur. Also, the tedious parts of running a website can be frustrating and time-consuming.

Q.

What drives you?

My purpose drives me. Through Kids Yoga Stories, I get to integrate my passion for yoga, travel, people, and books. I’m driven by the difference that I see in my daughter every day as we integrate the principles of yoga into our family life. And the feedback from other families gives me the courage to keep going.

Q.

How do you define success?

First, I look at the numbers, which have increased year after year. Then I see the positive customer feedback. And I feel good about the business—I think that’s an important factor in defining success.

Q.

What do you wish someone had told you about starting a business before you jumped in?

I would have loved to have spoken to a successful book seller before I jumped into the business. Generally, people tell me that no one makes money writing and selling books, but I try not to let that deter me from my work. Nonetheless, having a mentor to provide guidance and a step-by-step guide of how to get started running a business for the first three years would have been invaluable. I’m learning as I go along! I would have loved to hear the top three dos and don’ts with concrete, actionable steps aimed at a stay-at-home mom running an online business.

Q.

What one thing in your life is non-negotiable? And how do you ensure it remains so.

My responsibilities as a mom, wife, and daughter are non-negotiable. My time available to work on my business is extremely limited due to my responsibilities of caring for my daughter or traveling to visit family. As a result, my lifestyle business has grown slowly and organically, and I just have to accept that.

Q.

Ten years ago would you have guessed that you would be where you are today?

Never! Ten years ago, I completed my first yoga teacher training in Sydney, Australia, got married, and started writing yoga books for kids. Today, I’m living in Boston with my husband and four-year-old daughter, spending all my available time when my daughter is in school to write and publish my yoga books for kids. I’ve managed to bring together my experiences as a teacher, mom, yogi, and traveler. It’s a miracle!

Q.

In your opinion, what is the most important skill women need to cultivate to boost their business?

I believe the skill most important to a successful business owner is learning how to cultivate confidence. Self-confidence could lead to positive self-esteem, fruitful relationships and collaborations, authentic communication, and an ability to truly make a difference in the world. Instead of hiding out and playing small (which I’m great at!), working on building my confidence helps me get clear on my message and enables me to ask for help. It makes me feel more grounded in myself, then I’m more able to get out of my own way and spread the message about my business.

Q.

What would you tell your teenage self if you could sit her down for a chat?

I would tell my teenage self that passion + money = balance. I became an international primary school teacher because I followed my passion for teaching children; however, I struggled to pay my bills on a teacher’s salary. Now I’m aiming to do what I love, and hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to support my family financially, as well.

Q.

What are your favorite app/online tools that you can’t live without?

I love using WordPress for my website, PicMonkey for creating images, and Peek Testing to get feedback on my website.

Q.

What regularly inspires you?

I’m inspired by how yoga makes a difference to people from around the world, in all walks of life—and how yoga impacts children’s health and well-being.

Q.

The one word that best describes how you work is:

passion

Q.

Now the real one word that best describes how you work:

scattered

Q.

How do you recharge?

I recharge by practicing yoga, mediating daily, jogging regularly, and socializing.

Q.

What’s your secret business super power?

My passion for my work is my super power. I really want my business to work, and I really believe in the work, so it makes me determined and motivated to give it my all.

Q.

What’s your favorite way to network?

I love to network online with like-minded moms, yogis, teachers, and travelers. I’m in a few private Facebook groups and love growing my social media community. Receiving e-mails from customers also fills my heart and soul.

Q.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

The best advice I’ve received is being inspired by the yoga principle of “effort and surrender.” This yoga sutra encourages us to embrace and balance both times in our life when we put a lot of effort into something and then knowing when to let go and surrender into life. This focus on giving it my all and then slowing down helps me get through the stage of business where there’s a gap between where I want to be and where I am now. I remind myself daily that business is a journey and I need to watch for the miracles that happen along the way!

Where you can find Giselle Shardlow:

https://www.facebook.com/KidsYogaStories

http://www.kidsyogastories.com/

http://www.kidsyogastories.com/shop-yoga-books/

The post {Spotlight} Giselle Shardlow. Impacting Kids One Yoga Pose at a Time appeared first on LearnSavvy.