How do normal founders start their everyday startup work? How do young entrepreneurs really switch off after work and what do aspiring company leaders wish they had known before they founded their startup? We asked exactly these things. This time answers Maya Mastfounder of Yoga Studio Foxa digital yoga studio from Stuttgart.
How do you start your normal startup workday?
My day starts quietly. Before I go into emails, to-dos and votes, I first need a clear head. This can be a short meditation, a few conscious breaths or simply a coffee in silence. Then I prioritize very consciously: What is really important today, what contributes to the vision of Yoga Studio Fox and what can wait. Structure gives me freedom, especially in the often very dynamic day-to-day life of a startup.
How do you switch off after work?
Best through exercise and nature. Yoga is of course part of it, but also walks, time with my family or consciously doing nothing. It helps me to set digital boundaries in the evenings and not be available all the time. For me, switching off means coming back to myself.
What about being a founder would you have liked to have known before starting your business?
How emotional this journey is. Being a founder doesn’t just mean strategies, numbers and decisions, but also doubts, responsibility and constant learning. I would have liked to have known earlier that uncertainty is part of the process and is not a sign of failure.
What were the biggest hurdles you had to overcome on the way to starting your business?
To let go and trust. At the beginning I wanted to do and control everything myself. Learning to give up responsibility while keeping the vision clear was a big challenge. Also the transition from just a yoga teacher to an entrepreneur.
What were the biggest mistakes you have made so far and what have you learned from them?
Saying yes too quickly. About projects, collaborations or ways of working that didn’t feel quite right. From this I learned to listen more to my gut feeling and to make decisions more slowly and more sustainably.
How do you find the right employees for your startup?
About values, not just about CVs. Professionalism is important, but attitude, personal responsibility and genuine interest in the vision are crucial. At Yoga Studio Fox we are looking for people who want to help shape things, not just complete tasks.
What tip do you have for other founders?
Be patient with yourself. Success is rarely linear. Stay connected to your why, get support and don’t constantly compare yourself to others. Your path can look exactly the way it suits you.
Without which external tool would Yoga Studio Fox virtually no longer exist?
Without our digital learning and organization platforms. They enable us to offer yoga training and further education regardless of location, personally and of high quality. For us, digitalization is not a replacement for proximity, but rather a tool for it.
How do you ensure a good atmosphere among your team?
Through trust, openness and genuine interest in each other. We communicate a lot, provide space for feedback and ensure that work and people remain in balance. For us, humor and humanity are just as important as professionalism.
What was your wildest startup experience so far?
The moment we decided to completely realign ourselves and move from a local studio to a purely digital training provider. This was brave, scary and at the same time one of the best moves for Yoga Studio Fox.
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