What would make a successful actress who has appeared in two theatrical world premiers as an Equity actress and shared in a Tony Award trade all of that in for the hard work of starting her own business? “I wanted to make a difference in peoples’ lives and I was tired of a career in the theatre,” says Jennifer Schelter, owner of The Yoga Schelter.
Schelter had been entertaining and inspiring people for years but now she wanted to do both in a different way. “I wanted to do something with more substance and yoga had made a huge difference in my life so I thought I might be able to share my enthusiasm with others.” Starting her yoga studio in the basement of a church, Jennifer finally got her own space in 2002 and established the Yoga Schelter, making her dream a reality.
Jennifer’s Yoga Schelter strives to improve the quality and kind of living for its customers. It offers various types of yoga classes, including Asana (physical postures), Pranayama (breath work), Dhyana (meditation), and Creative Visualization and also offers life coaching in one-on-one settings or for organizations, retreats, or group classes.
Jennifer knows that while her work makes a huge difference in the lives of her clients, running her own business comes with a lot of hard work. “No other single project or experience has ever been as challenging,” she says. “Running a business is like seeing how everyone and every act matters.”
So what makes all the hard work worth it? For Jennifer, the essential motive is passion. “My business is an evolution of my passions—love of people, mind, body, spirit, humanity, creating my life, creating a living, contributing to happiness and well-being on the planet.” One thing her passion will not allow her to do is to become defeated by the failures and obstacles that frequently threaten entrepreneurs. “I’ve never really seen anything I do as a ‘failure’ because everything I do is what I call a crash course in what’s next. Every single ‘failure’ is a chance to grow and better understand how much I need to open my mind and learn.”
What allows Jennifer to keep this positive attitude? In addition to finding a strong support system and having a solid business plan, Jennifer says, “Believing in yourself is superficial banter. You have to face really hard stuff and get through a lot. Make sure you have enough staying power to love the business even when you hate the business.”
For the future of Jennifer’s passion turned profession, Jennifer has many goals in mind. “We’d like to expand what we offer by sharing with other yoga teachers, teaching in new places, and opening up the ability to offer services to men. We want to find ways to attract more people to caring about their every day health, happiness and well-being and to become the go to studio for Philadelphians.”