Meet Stephanie Young | Founder/Owner/Instructor

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

Hi Stephanie, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my personal success and the success of my business is leading with authenticity. This has always been a key priority for me; in how I show up and what I’m seeking in any relationship. Authenticity fosters trust which, in my opinion, is what is needed to cultivate a compassionate & honest environment. Spark is a safe space for people to be unapologetically themselves and build confidence through vulnerability.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am the founder of Spark (Yoga & Ride) in San Luis Obispo, CA. Spark pioneered the heated yoga/fitness movement on the Central Coast back in 2013 and has continued to grow over the course of 10 years in business. We now have 3 studio locations in the city! The culture of our community can be described as casual, warm, welcoming, and energetic. We offer a very comprehensive range of modalities which allows us to welcome a wide spectrum of practitioners with diverse intentions behind why they show up. Some show up for mental health, others for physical strength, and some show up simply to be in each other’s company. I’m so proud of the community we’ve built as we are all (the Spark team and the patrons) aligned on the core values of what makes the studio such a special place. We are truly a family that desires belonging and we’re protective of the space that we come to heal, grow, and build mental & physical endurance. Not just for ourselves but so we can show up for others with more intention and humility.

Building a business from the ground up (and without investors or partners) was possibly the most challenging decisions I’ve ever made. I didn’t have any prior experience in management or business ownership so I was forced to learn as I go which was a humbling experience to say the least. That said, it’s also the most rewarding and BEST decision I’ve ever made because I continue to learn and grow so much every day, both personally & professionally. My team and our members inspire me to keep improving and growing and I’m so grateful for their support! The Spark community is very passionate about the studio and I believe a big reason for that is because they’ve all been a huge part of its success so they’re able to take a bit of ownership.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the years is essentially to stay in your own lane. It’s easy to get wrapped up in what/how other people are doing, what you’re not doing, what you think you should be doing based on trends, etc. Ultimately, what matters most is holding tight to your values, showing up authentically, taking care of your staff & members, and trusting yourself. If you start trying to be/do something that isn’t alignment with those things (or yourself) it will come across as forced and dishonest.

What I hope to be the legacy of Spark is — Celebrating who you are without apology. To trust your intuition and lead with compassion.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I highly recommend visiting without much agenda and just go with the flow. There is so much to explore here, from beaches to dining, and you’ll always meet some amazing people where ever you go!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to every member & staff in San Luis Obispo who has helped continue the success of Spark!

Website: https://sparkslo.com

Instagram: @sparkslo

Image Credits
Asia Croson Photography
Tayler Enerle Photography