Meet Erica Simone | Founder, SACRED Yoga

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erica Simone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erica, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started SACRED Yoga with a really simple idea to create a unique product that didn’t exist — a stylish and functional travel yoga mat and hot yoga towel in one. I was traveling a ton and desperately trying to keep up my yoga practice, but it was proving to be hard to do without shlepping a mat with me, and I couldn’t find anything that was light enough or worked how I wanted. I went through at least 4 different travel mats and was always disappointed, so being the stubborn entrepreneur that I am, I got the fire in me to develop my own.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started SACRED Yoga because there was a total gap in the market at the time for great travel yoga mats and I really wanted to create something special. It had to be highly functional, while also feeling luxurious. It was also important for me to incorporate one of my drawings on it. About 8 years ago, I began channeling highly detailed sacred geometry drawings out of nowhere and it felt like I needed to brand the mats with one of these sacred mandalas.

It was definitely not easy. I started with an idea, $8000, and zero knowledge about e-commerce. I learned the hard way, lost a bunch of money in the process, but also made some. I went through so many frustrating moments, I almost quit several times. I quickly realized that in order to have a successful business, you need help, and money! I was used to always doing everything alone and thought that I could, but I stagnated for a while. And then I met my partners Will and Jon, who have contributed significantly to the growth of my business.

I’m glad I didn’t give up, because I learned so much in the process and I can apply a lot of those lessons to future businesses.

My brand’s slogan is ‘Make every day SACRED’. My philosophy is to encourage people to make every little step in their life sacred, to really be present, and turn the mundane into magical, wild moments. I’ve always liked the idea of paying my respects to the cutlery while washing dishes — I don’t remember where that concept came from, but it stuck with me and I try to apply that way of life to everything I do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m currently living on Maui, Hawaii, so besties coming to visit is one of my favorite things in the world. It’s very exciting to get to show my friends around the Island because there are SO many magical spots. I tend to keep the adventures very nature-related — a trip to Iao Valley to swim in the pristine waters, treks through the rainforests to hidden waterfalls, an 11-mile hike through Haleakala crater — there’s no shortage of epic, stunning landscapes to cruise through.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d have to say my mom! She’s my true hero and was such an amazing role model growing up. She’s an A-type, go-gettin’, can-do lady with a ton of confidence and charisma. She never took dirt from anyone and always went out and got what she wanted. She worked (still does) extremely hard and has built an empire from nuggets. My mom always believed in me and let me explore creatively, without judgment. She’s always been my biggest fan and it’s to her that I owe my self-confidence.

Website: https://www.sacredyogashop.com

Instagram: @sacredyogashop

Facebook: /sacredyogashop

Image Credits
Karine Plantadit
Genevieve Jae
Loan Chabanol
Kendall Marie

(models)