Lara Heimann is a successful business owner but this didn't happen overnight and throughout our conversation I was able to understand more of the origin story.
So often we can look at someone who is further along than us and think they have it all figured out but in reality, every entrepreneur is taking it one step at a time and doing the best they can with the information they have.
*This includes you! No matter where you are in your journey, know that you're doing great and there are more great things to come.
We talked about how her business started and where it is now that includes an online platform with 600 classes, multiple trainings and a podcast that has over 3 million downloads.
But at the core you'll read how she had clarity on her definition of success, boundaries and core values. These components guided her to the business and life she has today. You'll walk away feeling inspired and ready to chase your definition of success.
**This was also a podcast episode (episode #195. Use the player below if you'd prefer to listen to this message.
The Language You Use Impacts Your Entrepreneurship Success
Just like when we say something like "I have a bad knee" about our bodies, we can easily fall into this trap about negative self talk as an entrepreneur. We have to watch this language as it truly impacts how we take action and see ourselves and this starts with the very beginning of the journey.
"I often say I was a reluctant entrepreneur meaning it wasn't something that I specifically chose, it kind of chose me." Lara Heimann
Because Lara viewed entrepreneurship through this lens she was able to approach it in a way of one step at a time and a gift to her life. Instead many of us can look at things in entrepreneurship as challenges, she viewed it as an opportunity to learn.
"I didn't say I'm a bad business person, I said 'I haven't yet learned this'." - Lara Heimann
It's also important to know that as an accidental entrepreneur who is following your passion, there are going to be other things that have to get done but that aren't your cup-of-tea. At the beginning you'll likely need to take these actions on yourself but as you grow your business you'll be able to outsource the tasks that don't fit into your zone of genius.
"You're doing something that you have a passion about, that fuels you and you have to be careful to not let all the other things that might in fact drain you, overcome that passion." - Lara Heimann
Entrepreneurs Do Best When You Learn From Your Students/Clients/Customers
Lara was clear throughout our conversation that she knew what she wanted in her business and was willing to do the hard work in order to achieve her success. But she also clarified that she approached entrepreneurship both steady in her conviction but also humble in her willingness to learn along the way.
"I never betrayed myself...my clear mission. But I'm also very willing to listen to what could be done differently." - Lara Heimann
"Be super passionate and super committed and also really humble because that means you're willing to change, you're willing to listen, you're willing to adapt and pivot as needed for the better good." - Lara Heimann
She listened and learned from her students all along the way and it was like she followed the bread crumbs to each step. When students asked "would you do this...." she checked it with herself and if it felt right to her, she would listen and move forward.
"My students were kind of telling me, they were a little voice box for the outside world saying more people need this." - Lara Heimann
"It's like the ball rolled and I just kept answering the need." - Lara Heimann
This combination of determination and humbleness is what lead her to the true success she has today. She attributes this to her devotion to customer service and how she is always willing to listen to her customers as they share information with her and her team.
This is a key component to success whoever you define it in your business. Following your heart and mission is one part but also listening to your audience is the other part you have to balance as you grow your business.
Know Your Strengths & Season Of Life To Succeed In Entrepreneurship
Another component to Lara's success was understanding the different seasons in life and she encourages all entrepreneurs to recognize this too. While you may be ready and excited to grow your business today, if you're trying to wear all the hats, it might not be possible in this season of your life.
"I think it's a load of BS when people say that we can do all the things really well because I would argue you can't. You just decide what are your priorities and then be satisfied with slower growth so that you can manage it all." - Lara Heimann
Acknowledging what season of you life you're in currently is one piece of the puzzle and the other is knowing your personality and how you're wired. I've seen this in the clients I've coached as well that sometimes you want to follow the passion but then realize that you're not quite wired for the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. And we are here to tell you that it's 100% okay to figure this out!
"You need to know your wiring. I'm wired for this. I'm great with people but I'm really good with my vision and on my own...pretty much any success entrepreneur would say that it's going to be some solo time and you gotta be okay with that." - Lara Heimann
"If you're coming back every day feeling inspired then that means you're wired for this. If you're coming back every day for the most part, feeling drained and overwhelmed, it might not be your thing and that's okay." - Lara Heimann
As you continue down the path of following your passion and turning it into your career if at any point you realized that you don't want to continue, it's okay to let the business go knowing that you didn't fail. However, if you want to continue but you're not enjoying all the tasks, figure out what those tasks are and create a plan to outsource the them to others who have the gift of that skill and knowledge.
Progress Leads To Entrepreneurship Success
"Forward progress of any kind is great. It doesn't have to be large steps." - Lara Heimann
It's so easy to get caught up in wanting to make the big leaps in business that we forget how powerful small steps can truly be. Look back to the times in your life when you made small and steady progress and how far you truly made it. Apply this to entrepreneurship too. It's often the small steps that lead to what seems like an over "overnight success" to others.
"Be patient, push the boulder but know that at some point it's going to get traction." - Lara Heimann
Lara also shared how important it is to know what you're passionate about and go after it in the way that it feels right for you. It's really easy to get caught up in following what others do but the reason you're starting this business is because you do things differently and it's important to highlight that.
"Listen to your hear and then look for the gaps...where the service is not being met to the same degree. Don't be scared to do something different." - Lara Heimann
Define Your Entrepreneurship Success, Boundaries, & Core Values
There are many coaching sessions where I've been asked about how I deal with negativity or how I make decisions in my business and the answer is that I have a filter that these are run through. These are my definition of success, my boundaries and my core values.
Lara reiterated many times in our conversation how she was guided each step of the way in her business by these same things. It's critical as you step into the entrepreneurship space to know what's important to you and what you will stand for as a business.
"Hold a standard to what you want and what you will not accept." - Lara Heimann
Take Away Message / Action
All along the way, Lara knew what she was going after because she knew what success was for her and that guided her. If you haven't defined success on your terms, this is what I highly recommend you do next.
Enter your information below to get my step-by-step guide on defining success on your own terms:
If you know how you define success, then I'd suggest setting aside a few minutes to reflect on where your business and life is currently and if you feel successful. If you do, keep going! If you don't, ask yourself what needs to change to get closer to your definition of success. You might not be able to change it all right away but at least knowing what needs to change will help you move forward with intention.
Until next time give yourself permission to follow your definition of success and grace along the way. I'll talk to you soon.
About Lara:
Drawing from her background as a Physical Therapist, Lara has combined her love of anatomy, creative movement and functional training to develop LYT (Lara’s Yoga Technique) YOGA, a powerful, challenging flow style that emphasizes anatomy, alignment and intelligent sequencing. Movement has always been Lara’s favorite form of medicine, beginning with her early years as an athlete and dancer. She graduated from Duke University with a BS in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy and a Masters in Physical Therapy, worked as a Physical Therapist and began teaching yoga in 1996. With her postgraduate specialization in neurological training, she learned the importance of the brain in remapping more optimal movement. Lara’s passion for yoga transformed into a career and sparked a personal mission to help her students find their source of inner strength and deeper understanding of the brain-body connection. Lara has an online movement platform, LYT Daily with over 600 classes, an online teacher training for both 200 and 500 hours, and a podcast, “Redefining Yoga” with over 3 million downloads.
Lara's Resources:
Lara's Website: www.lytyoga.com
Lara's Instagram Accounts: @lara.heimann and @redefiningyogapodcast and @lytyogamethod
Other Resources Mentioned:
Define Success Free Resource: https://www.amandamckinney.com/success
All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874
Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching
Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book
"Forward progress of any kind is great. It doesn't have to be large steps."
- Lara Heimann
Unapologetically Chase Your Definition Of Success
Now that you've drafted your definition of success, it's time to chase that definition unapologetically.
If you'd like to explore this concept even more, my book Why Not You? An Accidental Entrepreneur's Guide To Success is waiting for you.
Defining success is just one chapter but in the book we will explore many other things that help you create your Y.O.U. Promise that becomes your guide to unapologetically chasing success for you.