Teresa made The Escape

Today Teresa is here to share how she left her busy corporate job to slow down and create a business as a yoga teacher and empowerment coach.

Tell us about yourself, what you did pre-escape, and what you do now

Pre-escape, I worked for an advertising agency planning and buying media. I was young and the perks that it came with were fun…tickets to shows and sporting events, extravagant dinners, freebies from magazines and newspapers, parties, summer days off more. The media outlets schmoozed the media planners. The spreadsheets were a doozy! Sometimes going into double letters. My head hurts just thinking about it again.

Now, I love, love, love being a yoga teacher and empowerment coach. I empower women to slow down, make themselves a priority, and create a life they want to live. I believe every woman has the power within her to create small changes to feel alive, free, luminous, and vibrant. It’s a passion of mine to help women blossom into what they know in their heart feels right for them.

A very interesting side note: Every summer, my former ad agency hires me to teach yoga on their roof {it’s a really nice swanky roof with tables umbrella’s, speaker system, small trees, and plants}. It’s come full circle for me. I get to walk into the office with a smile on my face absolutely loving what I do. I get to be with people who were just like me, but now, I get to be the one to help them find a sense of ease and take a nice long deep breath. How cool is that?

How long ago did you make the escape?

I officially left my job in May 2004. Wowzers. It sure has been a while!

What roadblocks did you face when preparing to leave your job?

My roadblock was that I didn’t believe I could quit my job without having the same type of job waiting for me somewhere else. Everyone in my family had a traditional job working for {fill in the blank} company. I heard about a few people that did leave to pursue a job that excited them {working for themselves}, but I didn’t think it could ever be me. I had to do some work around that.

TWEET THIS: “I didn’t believe I could quit my job without having the same type of job waiting for me somewhere else.” http://ctt.ec/fsOU1

I also didn’t believe my husband when he said I could quit my job without having another job lined up regardless what it was. He was unbelievably supportive and I honestly wouldn’t have done it without him.

I had no idea what I wanted to do at that time. I enjoyed making jewelry for a little bit, but I didn’t really have a plan. I would NOT recommend leaving a job that way. Make a plan, save money, and have a backup plan. In the end, it all worked out the way it needed to.

After I left, I took some time off to just “be.” Yoga became the focus of my life again and helped me heal from all the stress of my job. One day, in Savasana it hit me. OMG, I want to do this! Then I went full steam ahead. Coaching came later when there was an ache in my heart. I wanted and needed to do more. My business now feels complete.

How did you know you were ready?

I knew I was ready when I finally had enough. I just knew. I felt it. Each week, as I walked into the office, I grew less attached. Less attached to my nice office with a door, to my work, to telling people what I did for a living {working at an ad agency sounded cool to me}, and to leaving my co-workers. I also grew less attached to what I thought everyone would say when I announced I was leaving. That was huge because I use to worry about what people thought of me. Once I didn’t care, I knew it was time to move on.

I remember my heart beating out of my chest the day I was giving my notice. I had made up my mind, but in those moments walking into my boss’s office, I was terrified. I thought about turning around and doing it another day or not at all. My desire for wanting something better lit up, and said, no Teresa, we’re gonna do this! I felt so liberated afterwards.

What is the best part of being your own boss?

There are so many. Ultimately, it comes down to having freedom. Being able to decide how I want to work – when, how long, and with whom I want to work with. Having time open during the day to run errands without crowds or traffic. Being able to dance in my office. Setting up my work environment with beautiful things that inspire me. Taking a break in the middle of the afternoon for a relaxing walk. Knowing that I alone create my destiny and I can create anything I want.

What challenges have come up?

One of the challenges was around money. Prior to doing what I do now, my paychecks were always automatically deposited into my checking account. I knew when and how much. Doing what I do now, the money ebbs and flows. Some months, I make more and other months I make less {one of my yoga classes doesn’t meet in the summer}. I’ve had to learn how to manage it.

I’ve always been good with money. I pay my bills on time and try to make an extra car payment here and there, but it was a challenge for me to manage money coming in from all directions.

Another challenge I faced was charging what I’m worth. Once I became a yoga teacher, I thought if my awesome classes were the most reasonably priced in town, I’d have 30 people or more in each of my classes. This was my crazy business plan. It didn’t work that way. I had to learn to value myself. Once I charged more for my classes, I became a better teacher because I put more into all my classes.

One of the best parts of being my own boss can also be a challenge. I work from home. My yoga classes are at various locations around town. I meet my coaching clients at a café or the sessions are over the phone. Because I love what I do, I have to be very mindful about how long I’m working. Sometimes, I work on Saturdays and Sundays. Three or four months ago, I had to take a look at how much I work and scale back a bit. I work to have complete freedom, not to work all the time.

What are your work days like now?

I make each day fun and challenging in a good way. I’m always thinking of ways to give more to my clients and yoga students. On a daily basis {in general, it varies a bit}, I get up and meditate. Take a walk. Eat breakfast. Teach yoga or coaching session – depending upon the day. Have lunch. Write. Connect with other amazing women running their own business. Take a tea break. Teach another yoga class. Eat a light dinner. Connect with the hubster. Read or work a bit more. Do a little yoga. Wind down. Go to bed. In between all that, I also make sure to express gratitude for all I have, dance a little, laugh at myself, take care of myself {Sunday evening detox bath}, soften into the essence of me, and sprinkle inspiration all around.

Honestly, I’ve struggled a bit with managing my time because I do everything, create, plan, do work {teach yoga coach}, be the marketing person, accountant, and everything else. To stay inspired, I do 3 major tasks a day. What I can’t accomplish, I do the next day. I’ve turned off my phone notifications. I really don’t need to hear a sound every time someone emails or texts me. It’s very distracting. I’ve set up boundaries around my time. It’s helped me to stay focused when I’m working and have fun when I’m not.

Any advice for those working to make the escape as well?

Keep taking action & don’t give up Start your business while you’re still working. Depending upon what you’re doing and what you’re moving into, you might find clients at your current job. Don’t be shy about telling people what you’re working on. Not the quitting part, if you’re not ready just yet. ;-) If you need to quit your current job, find something else so you’re not completely stressed out about money. Been there. Done that. It’s not fun. Think of your job as your business loan. Finding a mentor or a business buddy {someone who’s doing what you want to do} is always helpful.

TWEET THIS: “Think of your job as your business loan” and other great advice on leaving the corporate life http://ctt.ec/BquR1

It’s not always easy, but you can do it! Be confident and believe in yourself. Focus on what you can do right now to help move you forward. Listen to what’s out there, but lead with what you think will work best. Take one small, inspired step each day. That can be as simple as your mindset.

One of my favorite quotes is by Tom Hopkins, “Look at your past. Your past has determined where you are at this moment. What you do today will determine where you are tomorrow. Are you moving forward or standing still?”

If you’d like to read more from Teresa, check out her blog or follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!