Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is bravery-driven badass yogi Lauren Rudick, who’s turned her passion into a fulfilling career fuelled by empowering others, travel and recreational spontaneity. We caught up with her to find out what she loves most about being an international yoga teacher and what advice she would share with other young professionals…
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WORK
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
International yoga retreats, global yoga teacher trainings, travel, handstand, make jewelry.
What was the inspiration for your career route?
My career evolved organically. Yoga came into my life by accident. I joined a gym, I tried a class, and soon enough it was a constant in my life. My first teacher training happened in much the same way. Eventually, a passion for travel turned into running retreats and master classes worldwide. A creative outlet turned into a full-scale jewelry line and online store.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
I can think of two. I was pulling off my first successful exotic luxury yoga retreat in Morocco. I had planned, researched and executed the entire thing on my own. It took over 18 months of organizing and marketing, and seeing it come alive made me feel damn proud. The second was teaching a handstand class to over 100 people at Wanderlust. It was a career goal to teach there and I couldn’t believe how many people showed up to play.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
Happy. Fulfilled. Continuing to live based on passions and doing what I love.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
The word “No” means get creative, work harder, and find another inlet. There are a million rejections on the path to success. It only takes one “Yes.” Keep moving.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
I support charities that work to provide clean, safe drinking water to individuals worldwide. We take it for granted in Canada that having access to free water any time we like is a given. Globally, this isn’t the case. Living abroad and realizing how tied I was to plastic bottles and that not everyone has access to something as basic as hydration broke my heart.
I also support charities that offer education to young women in developing countries and resources to take young women off the streets and into the classroom. I feel proud to be a woman who uses her body and mind every day to earn a living. Globally, women are robbed of that fundamental right.
Finally, the SPCA and other dog rescues. Because puppies make the world go ‘round.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge to overcome in my career was doubt from friends, family and sometimes myself. Becoming an international yoga sensation and launching a yoga-inspired jewelry line isn’t something that has a specific roadmap. I’ve struggled tremendously along the way. There have been numerous setbacks, and it took years before my career was viable. I kept going because I couldn’t envision doing anything else. For so long I felt like I was drowning, able to see the sunlight from under the surface but never able to swim enough to get there. The goal was always in sight but it seemed just out of reach. Finally, with determination and confidence I now feel like I can float above the surface, breathe, and enjoy the view (and sometimes even get a wicked tan!)
What does the word notable mean to you?
To me notable means being recognized and respected for talent and hard work. Notable means being a leader, a forerunner, and a bravery-driven badass.
PLAY
Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Food. Just give me the food. I live between Montreal and Costa Rica and travel a ton in between. Every time I’m back in town there’s a new cool spot that just opened up, so that’s awesome. Each visit means a new favourite restaurant.
What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
I listen to Songza. My favourite playlists are “sweater weather,” “golden age of boybands” and “todays male-singer/songwriters.” If I throw in Angus and Julia Stone, Bon Iver and Ben Howard, do I sound cooler? Haha. The most visited website is probably TUSKandCROWN.com – my jewelry store.
Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
TheFatJewish. His humor is totally offensive, and as a yogi this might seem over the top inappropriate, but when I need a good laugh, that’s the one. Also, BetchTexts because they are all completely true. And finally, NatGeo and BBC have amazing instagram accounts! (P.S. Follow me too @LaurenRudick).
What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
That’s not a fair question. They are all my favourites for different reasons. The food in Malaysia, the strangeness of China, the beaches in Nicaragua, the people in Iceland, the culture and coolness of London, the bicycles and flowers in Holland, the decadence of Morocco… to name a few. I’d really like to head to Indonesia and Sri Lanka next!
What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Some days, everything – friends getting engaged, people traveling for pleasure, friends who get to go cool city events when I’m stuck in a dirt road town. Most days, nothing at all. My life is f*cking awesome.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Teen mom. I can’t stop watching it. And “the golden age of boybands” playlist on Songza.
What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
Ooh, good question! I wish I didn’t spend so much money on miscellaneous little things in life that add up. I wish I could spend more money on travelling for pleasure and giving gifts to the people I love.
And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
To me, success is five full yoga retreats per year, two full yoga teacher trainings per year, and a jewelry line bringing me passive income. Success means having enough to feel comfortable and not merely surviving. I’d also love to hire a full-time personal assistant to do my books and shipping. Success means being in a great relationship with someone who encourages me to thrive and who inspires me. Success is building a life I love with someone I love, always working toward better and better; being sounding boards for each other. Success also means having enough disposable income to go on wacky adventures at the spur of the moment, like heli snowboarding, scuba trips, or other random shenanigans, and being able to bring my best friends along. Ultimately, living a life that excites me to wake up to every day is the ultimate success. So in some ways I’m there already.
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