How One Mom Used Innovation To Turn Her Passion for Yoga Into a Successful Business

Now a mom of two kids, ages 7 and 8, Andrea tells us that entrepreneurship is simply in her blood. Her father was an entrepreneur and she says that both her mother and grandfather were entrepreneurial as well.

"I love creativity, business, and relationship building and I think entrepreneurship is a great intersection of these interests," she says. "I've had a deep-rooted desire to integrate my creative and business development passions since I was completing my BCom degree in university," she continues, noting that unlike many of her peers, she never had the desire to work for a big firm. "I always saw myself staying small and hands-on, having the ability to make an impact, and really defining my own unique path!"

"I was working with an innovative type of rubber and quickly realized that the material’s distinctive qualities — durability, sustainability, and a grippy surface — could make the perfect yoga mat," Andrea says, explaining that at the time, she was employed at her family’s fifth-generation manufacturing and technology company. "From the moment I encountered that grippy compound, I knew I had my idea; I could not get the yoga mat concept out of my mind." About a year later, B Yoga, which specializes in those exact mats, but also sells other high-quality yoga accessories, was born.

Just five years later, she purchased Halfmoon, an already successful yoga gear company that had been in existence for 35 years. "Today these brands live together side by side, rooted in shared values, and have grown together globally for five and a half years now," Andrea explains.

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In the past decade, Andrea has become a successful business founder and owner by following her passion, and quite impressively, she's also become a mom during that same time. Her first child was born just a couple of years after the initial idea for B Yoga was sparked, and her second, not long after. Yes, that means she had two under two while getting her business off the ground. That is certainly no small task.

Andrea faces the challenges of being a working mom with realistic expectations and a whole lot of grace. "I believe that balance isn't static. There is not one moment when one is perfectly balanced. Rather, it's an ebb and flow," she says of managing her business with the ever-demanding life of a mom. "When one thing is up, the other is down. I think flowing with life's changes and demands is possible. Surrendering is freeing and this brings a lot of levity."

"I'm a strong planner and time manager and these skill sets serve me a lot," she says. "I also have an incredible support network. My husband is a very active father and my biggest supporter. I couldn't do any of this without him."

But it should go without saying that there are still challenges and, just like the rest of us moms, Andrea sometimes still feels the weight of her perceived shortcomings.

"My eldest daughter, Madison, is 8 years old and was diagnosed with a rare condition called Williams syndrome when she was just 6 weeks old. As a result of this condition, Madison will encounter several challenges as she develops in this world," Andrea tells CafeMom. "Madison is very small in stature, has trouble with spatial awareness and self-regulation and is developmentally delayed. To contextualize this, at 8 years old, Madison is the size of a 5 year old and is just able to write her first name and count to 20."

Andrea describes her daughter as "gifted" and "magical," but her condition is something that is always on her mind. "Despite her magic, Madison will face several untraditional hurdles due to her ‘exceptionalities’ as she grows up in today’s society. This reality is an ongoing challenge in my life but equally, it is a gift," she says.

And sometimes, there's just not enough time to do typical "mom things." "I feel like I don't read enough with my kids. I really need to find space for this. Mom Fail," Andrea admits. "I also never cook! I'm not a bad cook but I never dedicate time towards this. Whoops!"

Don't worry, Andrea. We're certain the kids will be alright.

"My self-care routine is not overly prescriptive," she says. "It's about supporting myself in getting as much sleep as I need. It's about fitting in movement at least three times a week. It's about micro-meditations. It's about nourishing my body with healthy foods while giving myself grace when I eat more than I should or things that I shouldn't! And lastly, it's about time with my family, in nature and with friends, finding moments of light in the everyday!"

Ultimately, it sounds like Andrea has exactly the right idea. Self-care certainly doesn't have to look the same for every mom. Bubble baths and mani-pedis aren't for everyone, but self-care is. And these simple actions done intentionally can undoubtedly benefit all of us.

"Brands these days can do more than sell products; they can advance important worldly causes and missions. I do not take this reality lightly. In fact, we submitted our B Corp application this week which — to me — summarizes our impact goals of giving more back to this world than we take," she tells CafeMom. "Of supporting the globe both environmentally and socially via all of our many stakeholders. Ultimately we want to support our community in connecting with their truths and finding growth, freedom and light in their days."

Much like motherhood, for Andrea, running a business is about the greater good, the bigger picture.

"Entrepreneurship has taught me a lot about leadership. And deep diving into my leadership approach has ultimately taught me a lot about myself. This has been an ever-evolving process of pushing myself to my edge for years now," Andrea says.

Truthfully, isn't that we all must do as mothers? We are pushed to our limits in so many ways, and yet somehow we almost always accomplish the goals we set forth. The kind of persistence and resilience it takes to parent effectively, can be used in business.

"I’ve been studying and practicing mindful leadership for a few years now. Mindful leadership is the concept of being fully present and able to hold space for my team’s thoughts and feelings in an inquisitive, nonjudgmental and compassionate way, allowing me to lead with a clear mind and open heart," Andrea explains, noting that she doesn't claim mastery, but that she's committed to the practice.

"Interestingly, leadership and motherhood overlap tremendously, so for me, the two experiences feed each other when it comes to learning and growing, which is my overarching goal for myself, so I guess I’m on the right track and I’m grateful for it!"