Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is Tanya Dawe, passionate yoga instructor and founder of the popular studio, Yoga Vieux Montreal. We caught up with her to learn a little more about what inspires her and what advice she would share with other young professionals…
WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I help people find their best selves.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
The yoga mat was the only place where I was happy. At a point in my pharmaceutical career where I was so overworked and unhappy that I was destroying myself and my relationship, the only place I felt like me was on the mat. I knew that no matter how long it would take me, I would eventually make this a career. It ended up taking nearly 14 years to get there.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Celebrating our 1 year anniversary at the studio this past May.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
5 years: Running a studio, organizing at least two international retreats each year, and speaking at local yoga, or health and wellness events.
10 years: Running a studio, organizing multiple international retreats, yoga teacher trainings, and speaking at international events.
20 years: having a studio (or two) in the country but having my own small resort on a beach where I can host retreats however often I’d like. Living on said resort with the man I love, sleeping and waking with the sun, practicing next to the ocean, listening to music, writing, reading, etc.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Don’t forget to take care of yourself. You need a little time off. It’s important to work hard for what you want, but you have to refill your basket. You have to take a moment away from the business and have a dinner with your buds. You need to go for a walk with someone you love. You need to Netflix and Chill once in a while. Burnout is real and it’ll stop you in your tracks.
6. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Starting over at 33. Leaving a successful career to tend bar and start again from scratch. I overcame it by staying honest with myself and what I wanted. Letting go of the things that kept me from being my best self: jobs, toxic friends, and the unsupportive people in my life
7. What does the word notable mean to you?
Someone who is notable is a change-maker, a challenger, a dreamer, a sh*t-disturber, a visionary.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Vin et Papillon is my favourite restaurant in the city right now. The wines are incredible and just what my partner and I are into these days. Vanya and Marc-Oliver are great friends with insane talent. Satay Brothers is another stable. The Laksa has the best soup in the city. No question.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser?
MindBody. It’s an incredible tool for business and every yoga studio should work with it.
3. The most played song on your phone?
Deva Premal. All her songs are on repeat. I use them for classes and for meditation in the morning.
Mazzy Star – Fade into you. Because obviously.
Sting – Fields of Gold. It reminds me of my mom.
Nirvana – Lounge Act. Favourite song of all time.
Sonic Avenues – My boyfriend’s band. They’re amazing and introduce me to the awesomeness of punk.
4. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
Amma, my Guru and spiritual guide.
5. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
My favourite place that I’ve been to so far is Thailand. I travelled alone and felt incredibly safe, the food was delicious and the beaches were breathtaking. I really want to visit Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal … hopefully, I’ll get to one of those places in the upcoming year.
6. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Yogis aren’t supposed to have FOMO because we live in the moment but if I’m honest, it’s when my friends from university get together without me. Kills me a little every time…
7. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Take out Chinese, alone in my room, big comfy sweat pants and a t-shirt, and Netflix.
8. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on?
Taxis / Ubers.
9. What’s something you wish you spent more on?
Visiting family.
10. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
My life in this moment.
