Where the "Joy" and "Peace" comes from in J&P yoga -- I had been searching for something in my life that will leave a lasting legacy, continue to make the world a better place long after my life.
Something my children can champion and grow in ways I never imagined. Funny how opportunity presented itself. I began taking yoga after my son was born. I needed something other than mundane gym exercises. I walked into my first yoga class over 6 years ago and my life is so much better for it. I was in need of a yoga mat bag and was very disappointed with the selection from which I had to choose. I decided to make my own. I had never sewn in my life. I knew nothing about fabric or even owned a machine.

My first attempts were not pretty. Pretty bad more like it, but I persevered. I began taking my creations to class with me. I would get asked where I bought my cute bag. It was a juggling act of dual duty as mom and entrepreneur. Many late nights spent sewing produced enough bags for me to approach Cleveland Yoga to see if they would carry them in their boutique. They agreed and bought almost all the bags I made.  The demand for more bags left me with little down time and I could only be sleep deprived for so long before I burned out. I began tossing around the idea of having my bags manufactured and growing my basement sewing hobby into a real business. But if I was going to do this, I wanted to do it not only for my family, but somehow have a positive impact on the world community. I came across an ad for The Smile Train.  And that's when it hit me. My bags bring smiles to the people who love using them, now they could smile even more knowing they helped others smile too. A percentage of my sales would go to this organization. Perfect!

My journey is still quite challenging. My company will make a difference in the world. It will get people smiling and feeling good about themselves.