Semi-finalist Q&A: Let it Flow

Let it Flow helps busy professionals experience "feel-good living" by making healthy living easy and practical. Stacey Shipman provides programs and products for individuals and business organizations designed to relieve stress, present with confidence and take the overwhelm out of exercise for improved health, productivity, presence and satisfaction at home and at work.

Information from their grant application is available here. Read below for more, and if you have questions for our semi-finalists don't hesitate to ask them in the comments section.

Also, don't forget to cast your vote! YOUR vote will determine which entrepreneurs most deserve to be amongst the finalists.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I’ve had a passion for fitness and wellness for nearly 20 years. When I quit the corporate world in 2006 I started with what I knew – personal training and yoga instruction. The more I networked and talked to people, the more I realized people were looking for more time and cost effective wellness resources. Everyone has a right to good health, time and money shouldn’t stop that. I started with what I knew and then listened to what was missing in order to fill the void.

What do you love most about running your own business?
My top three:
The people I’ve met and helped. When clients tell me, “Wow, my shoulder pain is gone after that relaxation exercise.” Or email me to say, “Because of your program I get up 30 minutes earlier in the morning to have some ‘me time’” there is nothing more satisfying than knowing I’m making a difference in someone’s life.

The Creativity. After 10 years in the very logical market research field I now get to use the creative side of my brain. That is challenging and fun!

Flexibility. Working with my own rhythms, rather than working between hours someone else sets for me, results in improved creativity, innovation and engagement in my work.

What makes your business unique?
Three things:
Use of new media - audio, video, ebooks - to help make wellness time and cost effective and more accessible to everyone.

Start where you are, not where you want to be. I often talk to people who are increasingly stressed at the thought of spending 60 minutes a day exercising. I ask, “What do you have time for now? Start there.” In time you increase, but baby steps are necessary to reach a larger goal.

Integrated approach. Good health isn’t just about how you look. It’s important to pay attention to how you feel – physically, emotionally and “spiritually” (which I define as connecting to purpose and passion). My services (yoga, stress relief, confidence building) provide an integrated approach that takes into account the whole person. Because when you feel good, you do look good.

What are some of your top business-related accomplishments, or business lessons learned?

Be patient! Success doesn’t happen overnight.

Surround yourself by supportive people. Joining networking groups in my area and found the personal and professional camaraderie I needed to stay motivated and positive about my work.

It’s ok to “toot your own horn”. After all, people need to know about you!

As a result of my networking efforts I’ve had the opportunity to develop my leadership skills, serving as the President of a 300 member organization in my area.

Why should the Idea Cafe regulars vote for you?
I put my heart and soul into my work and I practice what I preach. I’m up early in the morning because I’m so passionate about what I do and how it helps people. I’m constantly innovating to ensure I provide the wellness products people need. I’m dedicated to what I call a movement to “feel good living”. Because of my own experiences, I know it’s possible. And I’m so excited to share it with others. I’m in this because my passion drives me. And that’s powerful.