Spotlight On: Sara Avant Stover

Name of Business: The Way of the Happy Woman™
Type of Business: Yoga, Meditation, and Life Balance for Women
Web Site: http://www.TheWayoftheHappyWoman.com
Email: sara@thewayofthehappywoman.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/WayofHappyWoman

Tell us more about your woman-owned business.

I help modern women who are struggling with claiming success AND
their femininity by teaching them how to retrieve personal happiness—
beyond their body size, relationships, and careers. I show women how to connect with their inner radiance through yoga, meditation, and balanced living through the workshops, retreats, and trainings that I teach around the world, as well as through the articles that I write for magazines and The Huffington Post. I’m also working on a book called The Way of the Happy Woman™ that compiles all of these teachings.


Why did you decide to start this type of business?

My path has been an evolution—and my inner and outer worlds have developed simultaneously. In 1999 I was about to graduate from Barnard College in New York City. As an African Studies major, I had my heart set on serving in the Peace Corps in West Africa in the realm of health education. Unfortunately (or fortunately!) I went in for a routine check-up at the gynecologist to clear the final screening process for this post. During that visit I learned that I had advanced stages of pre-cancerous cells on my cervix—a condition that would prevent me from going to Africa. Needless to say, I was crushed.

It was a huge wake up call—because although I was practicing yoga, exercising, and eating well at the time, I was also burning the candle at both ends. Working three jobs, having a full course load!

Serendipitously, a few weeks after my diagnosis, I got a job offer to teach at an international school in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I found out that I could get the healthcare that I needed there, so I packed my bags and went. And, in many ways, that’s when my life really began…as I lived there from 1999-2008 (and I moved to Boulder, Colorado after that, where I now live).

I started studying Traditional Chinese Medicine, Buddhist Meditation, Ayurveda (the healing tradition of India), and my devotion to Yoga deepened tremendously. I learned how to slow down, take care of myself, and listen to my inner wisdom. With these tools, I had more courage and support to also tackle some of my deeper, underlying grievances such as anorexia, bulimia, anxiety, and depression. In Thailand I started to taste who I really am, beneath and beyond all of my foibles. And, best of all, I started to taste my essence of pure, unconditional happiness.

Can you share with us the challenges that you have encountered related to starting a business?

My biggest challenge has been keeping a balance—as that’s what brought me on the path in the first place (taking on too much, moving too quickly, not taking care of myself)!

Every day I need to remember what my priorities are; and I structure my time and expend my energy accordingly.

How did you overcome these challenges?

I commit daily to stay connected to ALL parts of myself through my morning meditation practice, journaling, yoga, walks in nature, time with friends, creative projects, appreciating beauty, and generally just checking in with myself to see what I need, what I want, how I can better support myself. Some days that means taking a bubble bath, other days it means going for a long hike, dancing, feeling sexy with my boyfriend, giving myself the time and space to cry, or just cooking a nice meal for myself.

Other saviors for me are occasional pampering—like massages and pedicures; going on vacation just for fun at least once a year; and going on solo yoga and meditation retreats to truly step out of the world and go inside of myself.

What has been your biggest success thus far?

That’s an interesting question. I feel like I have had so many successes. That’s another daily practice—at the end of the day, I write down all of the things that I have done well, that I feel good about. I think this is so important for women because we can be so self-critical.

But if I were to name one big success, I would say that it’s being here, as I am, right now. I’m so proud of myself for overcoming what seemed like insurmountable hurdles in my life—my eating disorders, low self esteem, depression. I can honestly say that I have successfully found self-love and an outlet to express who I am in the world in a way that’s authentic and truly of service to others. I feel truly blessed for this.

That doesn’t mean that I never hit rough spots, I do; and that’s human. I just have a deepened respect for myself and more tools and experience under myself to navigate those turbulent waters.

What is your favorite free business resource?

Girlfriends! Women are so savvy, intuitive, and tasteful. If I ever have questions about ethics, design, or new project ideas, I can always turn to my friends and they set me straight!

What words of advice would you provide to others who are considering starting a business?

Get to know yourself first!! I mean REALLY get to know yourself. Spend time alone in silence, in nature. Go on retreat. Develop a personal practice of self inquiry—whether that’s through yoga, meditation, prayer, dance, poetry, or whatever floats your boat. I think this is the only way that we can truly value the voice of the heart over the expectations of others.

Then, when you feel connected with your purpose and your deepest offerings, trust that. Relax back into a larger, unseen support network, and know that when you are on the right path, honoring your heart’s truth, you’re unstoppable! Even in the most challenging of circumstances, open up to guidance, to being shown the way. Trust yourself. Trust your feelings. And, especially as women, you must learn to trust your intuition and return to it again and again.

Do you have any special offers for those reading this interview?

Yes, I have a wonderful free audio download for you about how to reclaim your core feminine essence. It’s so important for professional women to really remember how to be women, and I think this helps us do just that:
http://www.thewayofthehappywoman.com/feminine-essence-audio


Do you have a small business idea that you want to get "Up & Running?" Pink Heels has a variety of services and resources available for all stages of business development and sustainability. Check out all of your coaching and consulting options HERE and all of your e-book options HERE!

Would you like to be considered for an upcoming "Spotlight On" post? If you have a web site and a business Up & Running story, please email Jennifer Moore at Jennifer@Pink-Heels.com. You can be located anywhere in the world as we are creating a global network of fabulous women!