Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Rust.
Laura, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started BIG Power Yoga in Houston in 2012 when I was 25 years old. My business partner, Nancy, and I chose to say yes to creating BIG and becoming entrepreneurs at a time when many people could have considered us too young, too inexperienced, and lacking the resources needed. We knew at the time that there was a better and bigger way to offer yoga and create community than what was currently happening, and we knew we were the ones that could make it happen, so we went for it! Our teacher, Baron Baptiste, says that “the answer to HOW is YES,” and we just kept saying yes and using our creativity to fulfill on the “how” as we grew our yoga community.
Within one year, we had outgrown a 100-mat space studio and announced our first expansion. As of 2017, we now have three thriving BIG Power Yoga locations and have co-created Out Here Yoga, our sister yoga studio in Steamboat Springs and Live Alive Adventures, our yoga adventure retreat company. All of our expansion has happened because of our company’s culture that is steeped in Vision & Goals work. We are not looking to scale for growth’s sake, but rather to support ourselves and our community members in fulfilling each person’s chosen legacy.
During the first year of our Houston studio, I did a visual meditation where I saw myself living in Colorado 10 years out. It took five years, and here I am living in Denver and traveling back and forth to the mountains in Steamboat.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been more of an adventurous road than a smooth road, for sure!
We are in the business of transforming lives, and that makes for dynamic and exciting business to take care of. Our business is unique in that our people are actually our product. Our style of teaching and leading is highly impactful and it takes an incredible amount of self-leadership for our team members to show up in the way they do every day. It has been challenging, yet so fulfilling, to create the alignment and training necessary to ensure that everyone is providing a consistently extraordinary experience to our community members. There have been times when we’ve missed the mark, or when we’ve had to make really tough decisions to part ways with people. It is also challenging to make sure everyone has the support they need to do the work we do, especially inside the constraints of a small business.
The higher the standards we set for our businesses, the easier it is to fall into the trap of disappointment. Every day, I feel challenged by my own standards for myself and everyone I work with. What makes a difference is our conscious choice to love unconditionally. That choice is at the source of everything we do and makes it possible for all of us to be human and still do amazing work.
BIG Power Yoga – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
BIG is known for the community that we create. That is hands down the thing that makes the biggest difference for anyone who practices with us. While the community is a buzzword that is currently being thrown around a lot in the fitness and business world, we believe that the way we create it is unparalleled. One of the things that we do well is we take people deep into the work of yoga. Our classes are incredibly challenging, and our programs (Teacher Training, 40 Days, etc.) support you in taking a deep, honest look at your life in order to create what you actually want. It is through doing this deep work together that a strong community arises.
One thing that sets us apart is the 40 Days program we offer twice a year. This program is free with your yoga membership and is life-changing. We have about 1000 people participate in each program from our combined studios. The energy we put into it and the transformation that comes out of it is unlike anything I’ve ever seen happen at another yoga studio.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Personally, I define success as fulfilling on what’s most important to you. For my business and for myself, I’m always looking at how people are left after interacting with me/us. While it’s not my goal for everyone to like me/us, it is my goal that people are inspired, empowered or uplifted after our interaction.
Pricing:
- Immerse yourself in a yoga practice with the BIG community, starting with our New Student Special: $40 for 1 month of unlimited yoga.
Contact Info:
- Address: BIG Power Yoga
2470 Broadway
Denver, CO 80205 - Website: bigpoweryoga.com
- Phone: 3039818541
- Email: laura@bigpoweryoga.com
- Instagram: bigpoweryogadenver
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIG-Power-Yoga-Denver-962092040559619/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/big-power-yoga-denver
Image Credit:
Angie Dornier
Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
