Meet Audrey Sze, a yoga teacher, proud parent to a silly dachshund, and a nutrition coach living in Hong Kong. She is passionate about sharing yoga, beauty and wellness tips through her blog, The Olive Yogi.
1 | Tell me about your company… What does your company do?
The Olive Yogi is a digital yoga and wellness platform. I help millennial women cultivate mindfulness and manage stress and anxiety through yoga.
I teach private and group classes throughout the city, so I’m usually running around town from one studio to another. On days I don’t teach, I’m busy creating nutrition and yoga programs for my private clients.
I’ve also launched my first digital product, a 1-month long wellness program – which aims to help people understand mindfulness and learn to manage their emotions better. I incorporate yoga techniques to help others learn to breathe more effectively, move with fluidity, while gaining strength and flexibility in their bodies.
2 | How long have you been working in your industry?
The wellness industry for one year now. Previously, I worked for a multinational beauty company doing digital marketing. A lot of what I learned in my first job was transferrable to what I do now!
3 | What are some challenges you have faced being an entrepreneur?
There are many challenges that rise up when you are running your own business – and as an entrepreneur something I struggle with is prioritising my work. I work alone, and I’ve learned to wear many hats and very often, I feel as if there is never enough time in a day to get everything done.
How I learn to manage that is *drum-roll* by practicing yoga. Yoga to me is more mental than physical. My practice allows me to go inwards, to meditate in motion and to realign myself – and I’ve realised when I say I don’t have time for yoga is when I must make time for yoga. That has helped me stay focused, grounded and motivated.
4 | How much has social media impacted your business?
A lot! When I first started teaching yoga, many industry peers told me I must have a digital presence and promote myself. I didn’t take it seriously initially, but that was how I found a community – and eventually – my first students! I’m thankful for all the friends I’ve made through Instagram, they really encourage and give me that little push to keep going!
5 | What motivated you to take the leap and start your own brand?
After quitting my corporate job due to burnout, I set out to heal myself. Yoga naturally fell into my lap when I needed it most. I’ve tried yoga in the past to no avail, except this time, something shifted. I was able to concentrate on my body, on my breathing and eventually my thoughts. That has helped me tackle a lot of the anxiety and self-doubt I was feeling.
I would share my newfound learning with friends and family, who were eager to try it out for themselves. It made me realise that so many people were able to relate to my struggles. I wanted to help others overcome their mental barriers and live free from fear and self-doubt.
6 | What advice can you give to your fellow millennial entrepreneurs?
You should dream big and pursue your passions, but be responsible with your money. Save enough to pay your bills for at least 6 months, and have an action plan. The worst feeling is regret, so try to eliminate that feeling by listening to your intuition and run with it.
7 | What is your favorite product and why?
Recently, I’ve been loving the Detoxifying Salt & Sugar Body Scrub from African Botanics. It leaves my skin feeling really soft and smooth, and it smells amazing!
8 | Who is your biggest influencer or inspiration?
I am inspired by a lot of people, but Ariana Huffington is definitely on the top of my list. In addition to having an incredibly successful career starting Huffington Post and Thrive Global, she uses her voice to really speak out on issues that she believes in – that I also believe in – and that is the importance of taking care of yourself and living well. She has definitely redefined what it means to be a successful female entrepreneur who also admits to and reclaims her own personal struggles.
9 | Do you have any extra advice you want to give out to the Bossfidence babes?
There’s never a right time to do anything, but now is better than six months down the line. So spend less time in your head and more time doing it. You can dream up the best idea but at the end of the day, it all comes down to execution.
