It's always exciting to welcome a new member to the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce community, and it's doubly exciting to get to celebrate that member's ribbon cutting! We were lucky enough to get to do both for new Chamber member YogaSix, who joined us in the beginning of 2021 and whose ribbon cutting we took part in on June 26. In this New Member Spotlight, learn a little more about YogaSix and what they do.
THE BASICS
Who are the owners of YogaSix?
Mike Duhamel and Molly Quinn, husband and wife team.
When did you establish your business in the Toledo Region?
Soft open in April 2021, grand opening June 2021.
Number of employees?
18.
Tell us a little bit about YogaSix's history.
Mike worked for a Fortune 500 company but always wanted to be an entrepreneur and own franchises. It’s why he got his MBA, but with four kids he was reluctant to take the risk. But when quarantine caused his job to be eliminated, Mike knew it was time to start following his dream. Molly has been practicing yoga for many years and had recently introduced Mike to it. They were practicing together almost every day when the franchise broker told him to consider YogaSix. It already seemed meant to be, but after being blown away by the leadership and sales acumen at YogaSix they knew this was an opportunity they couldn’t ignore. Xponential has nine boutique fitness brands and had a very clear vision for success. It was both a great business venture and a business that they were deeply passionate about at the same time. They jumped in with both feet!
What does YogaSix do?
YogaSix offers a vinyasa (flow) style of yoga. They have six different class types from hot a powerful to slow and mindful. We offer a full sensory experience during our class including color therapy lighting, hospital grade air purification and advanced filtered water with electrolytes added. Our goal is to provide a boutique experience that is inclusive and welcoming because we believe everyone deserves to feel alive in the healthiest way.
Who are the owners of YogaSix?
Mike Duhamel and Molly Quinn, husband and wife team.
When did you establish your business in the Toledo Region?
Soft open in April 2021, grand opening June 2021.
Number of employees?
18.
Tell us a little bit about YogaSix's history.
Mike worked for a Fortune 500 company but always wanted to be an entrepreneur and own franchises. It’s why he got his MBA, but with four kids he was reluctant to take the risk. But when quarantine caused his job to be eliminated, Mike knew it was time to start following his dream. Molly has been practicing yoga for many years and had recently introduced Mike to it. They were practicing together almost every day when the franchise broker told him to consider YogaSix. It already seemed meant to be, but after being blown away by the leadership and sales acumen at YogaSix they knew this was an opportunity they couldn’t ignore. Xponential has nine boutique fitness brands and had a very clear vision for success. It was both a great business venture and a business that they were deeply passionate about at the same time. They jumped in with both feet!
What does YogaSix do?
YogaSix offers a vinyasa (flow) style of yoga. They have six different class types from hot a powerful to slow and mindful. We offer a full sensory experience during our class including color therapy lighting, hospital grade air purification and advanced filtered water with electrolytes added. Our goal is to provide a boutique experience that is inclusive and welcoming because we believe everyone deserves to feel alive in the healthiest way.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Tell us about your company culture.
Our main value is that we offer Yoga for EVERYBODY. We strive to create a culture that is warm, welcoming and inclusive. We want everyone to feel like they belong in a yoga studio and that they are part of the community.
What's an interesting fact about your business that most people don't know?
Probably the hospital grade air purification. You can’t really see it, but it creates a clean environment which is so important for a heated studio.
What motivates you to jump out of bed in the morning?
Knowing that we are helping people. So many people find yoga through some kind of trauma, and we know through our own experiences how it can help heal people.
What business challenges keep you up at night?
It’s our first business so it changes every night. But we think a lot about our team and hope they are providing a great experience when we aren’t there. We hope they care about yoga and our members as much as we do.
When you're not working, where in the Toledo Region do you like to spend your time?
On a golf course. We are super excited for the Solheim Cup! We love the zoo and wish we could spend more time there.
Tell us about your company culture.
Our main value is that we offer Yoga for EVERYBODY. We strive to create a culture that is warm, welcoming and inclusive. We want everyone to feel like they belong in a yoga studio and that they are part of the community.
What's an interesting fact about your business that most people don't know?
Probably the hospital grade air purification. You can’t really see it, but it creates a clean environment which is so important for a heated studio.
What motivates you to jump out of bed in the morning?
Knowing that we are helping people. So many people find yoga through some kind of trauma, and we know through our own experiences how it can help heal people.
What business challenges keep you up at night?
It’s our first business so it changes every night. But we think a lot about our team and hope they are providing a great experience when we aren’t there. We hope they care about yoga and our members as much as we do.
When you're not working, where in the Toledo Region do you like to spend your time?
On a golf course. We are super excited for the Solheim Cup! We love the zoo and wish we could spend more time there.
THE BIG PICTURE
What is your advice for new business owners?
Find good people who are passionate about your business.
What trends or insights are you finding in your field or market?
After what everyone went through with the pandemic, people are craving self-care and a community, and we provide both of those things. Yoga and self-care are definitely popular right now and we hope that translates to a long-term commitment to health. Americans have ignored self-care and health for too long and we hope this is a true shift in our culture versus just a fad.
What advice do you have to give to emerging talent in your field?
To folks who want to provide yoga, I would say to remember that EVERYONE deserves to feel alive in the healthiest way. Don’t be a gatekeeper – welcome everyone who is curious. To folks who want to get into a new small business, do your homework as much as possible. Do your pro forma a million different ways so you are prepared for ups and down.
Tell us about other organizations or charities that you are passionate about.
We have partnered with the Toledo Humane Society and plan to find ways we can support the social workers in our community. We have several teachers and employees at the studio who are social workers, and we want to find ways to support the social workers themselves. There aren’t enough of them and what they do for our community is amazing.
To learn more about YogaSix or register for a yoga class, please visit www.yogasix.com/location/toledo. To learn more about becoming a member of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, please contact Member Relationship Manager Josh Lake at joshua.lake@toledochamber.com.
What is your advice for new business owners?
Find good people who are passionate about your business.
What trends or insights are you finding in your field or market?
After what everyone went through with the pandemic, people are craving self-care and a community, and we provide both of those things. Yoga and self-care are definitely popular right now and we hope that translates to a long-term commitment to health. Americans have ignored self-care and health for too long and we hope this is a true shift in our culture versus just a fad.
What advice do you have to give to emerging talent in your field?
To folks who want to provide yoga, I would say to remember that EVERYONE deserves to feel alive in the healthiest way. Don’t be a gatekeeper – welcome everyone who is curious. To folks who want to get into a new small business, do your homework as much as possible. Do your pro forma a million different ways so you are prepared for ups and down.
Tell us about other organizations or charities that you are passionate about.
We have partnered with the Toledo Humane Society and plan to find ways we can support the social workers in our community. We have several teachers and employees at the studio who are social workers, and we want to find ways to support the social workers themselves. There aren’t enough of them and what they do for our community is amazing.
To learn more about YogaSix or register for a yoga class, please visit www.yogasix.com/location/toledo. To learn more about becoming a member of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, please contact Member Relationship Manager Josh Lake at joshua.lake@toledochamber.com.
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