Entrepreneurship is often seen as a glamorous pursuit, filled with tales of overnight success and financial freedom. However, the reality is far more nuanced. It’s a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and unwavering belief in one’s abilities. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of entrepreneurship through the inspiring story of Chacha, a yoga therapist, expressive therapist, and aspiring social worker.
Chacha’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Chacha’s journey into entrepreneurship began with a deep-rooted passion for yoga and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. Her experience as a yoga teacher, expressive therapist, and volunteer on the National Suicide Prevention Hotline has shaped her understanding of the power of human connection and self-care.
While initially hesitant to label herself as an entrepreneur, Chacha’s journey has led her to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit. She believes that entrepreneurship is about taking ownership of your life, setting goals, and taking action towards achieving them. Her experience teaching at Soulfire Collective, a collaborative yoga studio, has further reinforced this belief.
Overcoming Obstacles and Finding Inspiration
Chacha’s entrepreneurial journey has not been without its challenges. Self-doubt, a common hurdle for many aspiring entrepreneurs, has been a significant obstacle. However, Chacha’s unwavering belief in her abilities and the support of her community have kept her going.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Chacha’s story offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Embrace the entrepreneurial spirit: Entrepreneurship is about taking ownership of your life and pursuing your passions.
- Find your community: Surround yourself with supportive mentors, coaches, friends, and family who believe in you.
- Believe in yourself: Overcoming self-doubt is essential for success.
- Take action: Start small and gradually build momentum towards your goals.
- Embrace the journey: Entrepreneurship is a journey of self-discovery and growth.
Chacha’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and community. By following her own path and embracing the entrepreneurial spirit, she has been able to make a meaningful impact on the world.
- Who is Chacha?
My full name is Rachaelle, but everyone calls me Chacha, and I honestly think it describes me best. I have been invested in dance and movement all my life and it has shaped the way I interact with the world. I work as an expressive therapist, as a yoga therapist on the inpatient psychiatry units at the hospital. I am a student at University of Maryland, Baltimore at the School of Social Work, and I also teach yoga classes locally here in Bethesda and Gaithersburg. My wonderful husband and I have two huskies that keep us moving, and our little family enjoys walks and lots of treats every once in a while. I spend most days very involved in community connection and advocating for mental health and wellness, whether through my modalities of work or with time with my family and friends, and I hope to continue learning and growing with others as we all find out more about what it means to be well.
- What does entrepreneurship mean to you?
Entrepreneurship is more of a headspace than a title in my opinion. It is the energy, time, and emotional investment of taking ownership of the life you’d like to lead. At first I believed entrepreneurship meant owning your own business, but it has shifted to a broader definition. I think anyone can be an entrepreneur- if you take control of each day working, growing, shaping your goals and taking action toward those goals, you have owned your time and therefore your life- no matter if you’re working independently or under another company. My home studio in Bethesda really taught me this. Soulfire Collective is owned and operated by two wonderful women, Brooke and Kat Wyman, and they are powerhouse models of what heart and soul look like in business. Each teacher is valued and encouraged to make and own their class and the space, and although we are all under the same roof and teach the same class format, everyone’s full personality, experiences, and unique qualities always shine through- we’re all entrepreneurs under one business brand. It’s incredible and extremely powerful what people bring to the table in a business when you are given access to resources and met with whole heart encouragement to be authentically you.
- You’re passionate about Yoga? How did you get into it and how did you turn it into an income source?
I didn’t expect it to be, and I am so grateful that yoga is a big part of my life. I started teaching yoga in 2022, I am only 2.5 years in the teaching journey. I’ve always worked in mental health. While I was working as an Executive Assistant, I started my teacher training while also volunteering on the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (988) and was intrigued how both experiences reflected each other. In order to talk through a crisis, I was asking callers to use breathing techniques I had learned in yoga, and in order to get through my own anxiety in teaching, I had to remind myself to breathe- all of which are the basis of yoga practice. My first few classes were at Squadstyle work and wellness, where the owner Hannah King believed in me and invested in me. I then started teaching at a lovely studio in Gaithersburg, and with more classes and good feedback I auditioned and started teaching more. It’s all been organic and unplanned, and my skill set has grown and evolved with it. In April 2024 I was feeling overwhelmed and ready to leave my executive assistant job, but my supervisor really blessed me and instead, the hospital created a full-time position for me as a yoga teacher in the psychiatric wing. It was incredible. In May 2024 the fitness apparel and activewear brand lululemon formally invited me to be a brand ambassador. It has been a huge honor and phenomenal opportunity. The more styles you can teach, the more you can pull from your toolbox, and public classes become private classes and referrals and recruitments to more studios and spaces you never thought possible. They say if you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life.
- There are other millennials reading this article who may have ideas about a business but are afraid to take the first step. What would you recommend?
It’s ok to feel nervous! I am still figuring this out truly! But the most important day of school is not graduation day, but the first day of class. You take a small step, which can look like getting curious about the business you’re starting or setting up a brief meeting, which turns into more small steps to the larger goal.
- What are 2 or 3 lessons you’ve learned on this journey of entrepreneurship?
I’m still learning, and it still feels hard to call myself an entrepreneur! I am just starting this journey and finding that making time to rest is just as important as going for the goal. I am the most creative when I add space to my schedule to walk, workout, listen to music and dance- which then inspires the theme of my yoga class and has proven to make my teaching a fun and interactive experience.
- Have you experienced any hurdles?
Self-doubt is the biggest hurdle. It takes a lot of bravery to share your gift with the world, especially if it’s in front of an audience. It takes vulnerability and believing in yourself to start, but your exact story can help inspire and support someone else.
- What keeps you going?
Community is key! I have only gotten to a place of truly leaning into my gifts and talents with the support of wonderful mentors, coaches, friends, and family that have told me, “keep going”. Find your community, pour into it, and it will pour back into you.
- Final thoughts?
You can do anything you put your mind to. A little planning, a lot of faith, and a step into your discomfort zone yield incredible things.
Money-Smart Millennials 
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