Today we’d like to introduce you to Corinne Wainer.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
SHAKTIBARRE started as Shauny and myself voicing our opinions about the fact 77% of yogis are White and in New York, roughly 44% of them make over $75,000 annually. Before opening, this momentum-turned-business-idea was written about in Elephant Journal, TRIBE de MAMA Magazine, Yoga Digest, Wanderlust, Yoga Dork, Shakti Yogi Journal, Yoga International, and Teach.Yoga. Hoping to change those statistics and use the 82% female-driven yoga world as an opportunity to elevate women and girls, we were accepted on scholarship by Circular Board’s business accelerator as a scalable and innovative hub where boutique fitness meets activism.
Now, just 13 months old and named amongst Brooklyn’s Top Culture Influencers (Brooklyn Magazine) and Nationally-Awarded Wellness Leaders (SELF), Shauny and I are preparing to scale SHAKTIBARRE. Our yoga-barre studio and community space empowering the feminine in everybody with classes, coaching, events, and snacks for accessible, sustainable wellness is ready to serve more communities. We’ll be fundraising this Fall with the intention of opening a second location next Spring.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road in terms of inspiring socio-psychological shifts while operating as a small business. It takes time for consumers to recognize adversity in the wellness world as well as within themselves, and during that time it is harder to make a high volume of sales. However, we became profitable in the first six months and have been able to slowly and mindfully build our growth strategy from there – both monetarily and community impact-wise.
What has made challenges seemingly easy (on the other hand) is Shauny and I’s professional partnership. We have never wavered from being a collaborative entity giving equal time and intention to both of our ideas and expertise.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the SHAKTIBARRE story. Tell us more about the business.
In short, we are a yoga-barre empowerment hub. More than our classes, coaching, events, and snacks, we’re the space where boutique fitness meets activism — where creative power and isometric ballet workouts coexist — some of our ongoing initiatives include sliding-scale prices for those who qualify, using body positive and chakra-forward dialogue in class, donating annually to YoGirls Program, and upholding a brand whose colorful logo represents full-spectrum inclusivity, expression, and love.
I’m most proud of the abundant “aha!” moments and messages of gratitude we receive many times a day. I’m proud, and humbled by each of them. I went into my emails just now to pick the first two of the week for you to
read:
“I wanted to thank you so much for the space you’ve created, both within your classes and SHAKTIBARRE as a studio. Having just moved to a new city, there was a lot that felt unfamiliar and overwhelming (much of which went unnoticed and unprocessed by me!), and attending SHAKTIBARRE helped in a way that I struggle to put into words – but I guess it felt a bit like strengthening from the inside and a release (there was the occasional tear!). I always used to say to my partner afterwards that it felt less like a workout and more like physical therapy.”
“I just wanted to send you a note to say thank you for all your hard work. SHAKTIBARRE has become such a place of comfort for me, and such a place I enjoy being as it helps us ladies know and learn who we are. Also, your drive to provide and make yoga and Barre something that can be attainable by everyone is so powerful to me. I had no idea how much it would impact my life. So thank you. And keep on keeping girl. I support you.”
What are your plans for the future? What are you looking forward to or planning for – any big changes?
I hope we can be one of many pioneering a new fitness revolution where there’s less emphasis on trend and appearances and more focus on measurable, meaningful change. If anyone is curious about how to authentically do that while still making money, please reach out to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.shaktibarre.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/shaktibarre
Image Credit:
Diego Bazan
Jorja Hudson
Alexis Mera
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
