Today’s CoChic Cool Chick is the warm, energetic, and funny owner of Gratitude Yoga Chicago, Lisa Scurlock. I’ve been taking classes at Gratitude for about a year and it’s one of my absolute favorite yoga studios. Lisa has taken her love of yoga and teaching to the next level, by providing a fun, energetic experience. She has hired amazing people, as well, so it’s always a consistently great experience. Lisa has the biggest heart and I am so thankful that I’ve gotten to know her better recently. Now you will get to know her, too! Read on to find out more about how Gratitude is a unique yoga studio here in Chicago, and some valuable business advice.

If you are new to CoChic Cool Chicks, welcome! CoChic Cool Chicks is an interview series, featuring women entrepreneurs who inspire me, who I am lucky enough to have in my girl boss network. These women are doing great things and whether you aspire to be an entrepreneur or not, I hope that they inspire you to do great things, too. I encourage you to check out their businesses, websites, and social media. And reach out to them, ask them questions, say hello. They’d love to hear from you!

Tell us about your business!

Gratitude Yoga Chicago is located at 501 W. North Ave. Chicago IL 60610. The ultimate goal for Gratitude Yoga is creating a community. I want people to feel welcome, inspired, comfortable and grateful when they come to a class / event. Yoga is much more than about the asanas / poses. Practice GRATITUDE. Practice YOGA.

Gratitude Yoga offers people a community to be grateful in their life and share that gratitude with others. Yoga is experimenting with your mind, body, breath and spirit through curiosity. Gratitude Yoga is a home to find balance between your individual expression and the connections you make with one another. It is important to graciously remind ourselves of the things in life that helped us become who we are today and guide us to become who we want to be tomorrow. Gratitude Yoga provides an inviting environment for people to genuinely connect to themselves and others through mindful movement and awareness of the body, mind, heart, space, breath and spirit.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

What made you decide to take the leap to become a business owner?

I had been practicing yoga for several years and was teaching for about 3 when I realized I wanted to own my own business.  It was the biggest leap I have ever taken in my life and I have enjoyed the ride thus far.  When the studio space was offered to me (as a gift) to rent and use I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. That was a year and a half ago and it was the best decision to begin the baby steps to growing a yoga business.

What do you love about being an entrepreneur?

I love the flexibility my life has. There are some days that are more challenging than others, however I get to create my own schedule. I have control over how many hours I work. I am a very creative person so I love creating new ideas and combining other elements to the yoga world.

What do you love about being a yoga instructor?

I love being able to share my passion of yoga with everyone I meet. I love helping others and offering ways to make their life more vibrant and healthy.

What is the most challenging thing about being an entrepreneur?

Sometimes you feel like the work never stops. Even during my “off” hours I am working, creating, giving and having this sense of being “on”. It has been challenging not having my own space. Shared space is a great efficient tool, however it comes with the disappointment of not being able to use the space whenever I want.

What is your best piece of business advice?

Start small and allow yourself to grow. Have patience in the process.

What makes your business unique?

Gratitude Yoga is unique in the fact that I don’t have my own specific space. It is a true testament to our teachings and the type of classes we offer that people are coming for a great yoga class and not all the “yoga studio” bells and whistles.  This community that we have created is unique. All of the clientele are there for a beautiful reason.

Do you have any tricks of the trade you could share with us?

Social media is huge when owning a business. I don’t think I realized this until about 6 months in, but social media does matter and it has brought in business.

What has been your proudest moment in your business?

I teach a kids & family yoga class every weekend. Sometimes I get autistic children taking the class. When I am able to teach them how to calm down, listen, pay attention and focus it brings so much joy to my life. Oftentimes the parents are able to take these lessons with them and use them in their home setting.  I feel alive and proud.  Helping others is one of my passions.

How would you describe your personal style?

During the week I am always wearing yoga clothes – Athleta, Lululemon and Nike. Rarely do I wear “normal clothes”.

On the weekends is when I like to get dressed up and look my best. A lot of my wardrobe comes from Anthropologie, boutique stores, J. Crew, and Nordstrom. On the weekends you will find me in some type of heel with a cute purse/tote.

What does being CoChic (comfortably chic) mean to you?

Just that – being comfortable in your skin but looking chic – sexy, clean, styled.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I can’t wait to see where this new year takes me in my career as an entrepreneur!

Today’s CoChic Cool Chick is the warm, energetic, and funny owner of Gratitude Yoga Chicago, Lisa Scurlock. I’ve been taking classes at Gratitude for about a year and it’s one of my absolute favorite yoga studios. Lisa has taken her love of yoga and teaching to the next level, by providing a fun, energetic experience. She has hired amazing people, as well, so it’s always a consistently great experience. Lisa has the biggest heart and I am so thankful that I’ve gotten to know her better recently. Now you will get to know her, too! Read on to find out more about how Gratitude is a unique yoga studio here in Chicago, and some valuable business advice.

If you are new to CoChic Cool Chicks, welcome! CoChic Cool Chicks is an interview series, featuring women entrepreneurs who inspire me, who I am lucky enough to have in my girl boss network. These women are doing great things and whether you aspire to be an entrepreneur or not, I hope that they inspire you to do great things, too. I encourage you to check out their businesses, websites, and social media. And reach out to them, ask them questions, say hello. They’d love to hear from you!

Tell us about your business!

Gratitude Yoga Chicago is located at 501 W. North Ave. Chicago IL 60610. The ultimate goal for Gratitude Yoga is creating a community. I want people to feel welcome, inspired, comfortable and grateful when they come to a class / event. Yoga is much more than about the asanas / poses. Practice GRATITUDE. Practice YOGA.

Gratitude Yoga offers people a community to be grateful in their life and share that gratitude with others. Yoga is experimenting with your mind, body, breath and spirit through curiosity. Gratitude Yoga is a home to find balance between your individual expression and the connections you make with one another. It is important to graciously remind ourselves of the things in life that helped us become who we are today and guide us to become who we want to be tomorrow. Gratitude Yoga provides an inviting environment for people to genuinely connect to themselves and others through mindful movement and awareness of the body, mind, heart, space, breath and spirit.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

What made you decide to take the leap to become a business owner?

I had been practicing yoga for several years and was teaching for about 3 when I realized I wanted to own my own business.  It was the biggest leap I have ever taken in my life and I have enjoyed the ride thus far.  When the studio space was offered to me (as a gift) to rent and use I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. That was a year and a half ago and it was the best decision to begin the baby steps to growing a yoga business.

What do you love about being an entrepreneur?

I love the flexibility my life has. There are some days that are more challenging than others, however I get to create my own schedule. I have control over how many hours I work. I am a very creative person so I love creating new ideas and combining other elements to the yoga world.

What do you love about being a yoga instructor?

I love being able to share my passion of yoga with everyone I meet. I love helping others and offering ways to make their life more vibrant and healthy.

What is the most challenging thing about being an entrepreneur?

Sometimes you feel like the work never stops. Even during my “off” hours I am working, creating, giving and having this sense of being “on”. It has been challenging not having my own space. Shared space is a great efficient tool, however it comes with the disappointment of not being able to use the space whenever I want.

What is your best piece of business advice?

Start small and allow yourself to grow. Have patience in the process.

What makes your business unique?

Gratitude Yoga is unique in the fact that I don’t have my own specific space. It is a true testament to our teachings and the type of classes we offer that people are coming for a great yoga class and not all the “yoga studio” bells and whistles.  This community that we have created is unique. All of the clientele are there for a beautiful reason.

Do you have any tricks of the trade you could share with us?

Social media is huge when owning a business. I don’t think I realized this until about 6 months in, but social media does matter and it has brought in business.

What has been your proudest moment in your business?

I teach a kids & family yoga class every weekend. Sometimes I get autistic children taking the class. When I am able to teach them how to calm down, listen, pay attention and focus it brings so much joy to my life. Oftentimes the parents are able to take these lessons with them and use them in their home setting.  I feel alive and proud.  Helping others is one of my passions.

How would you describe your personal style?

During the week I am always wearing yoga clothes – Athleta, Lululemon and Nike. Rarely do I wear “normal clothes”.

On the weekends is when I like to get dressed up and look my best. A lot of my wardrobe comes from Anthropologie, boutique stores, J. Crew, and Nordstrom. On the weekends you will find me in some type of heel with a cute purse/tote.

What does being CoChic (comfortably chic) mean to you?

Just that – being comfortable in your skin but looking chic – sexy, clean, styled.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I can’t wait to see where this new year takes me in my career as an entrepreneur!