International Women’s Day

Every year on March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day—a time to honor the progress, strength, and limitless potential of women worldwide.

This day is also a beautiful opportunity for each of us to reflect on what female empowerment means to us as individuals and how we celebrate that as part of a whole.

My definition of “female empowerment” has evolved over the years– and I think a lot of that has to do with how I view myself as an entrepreneur. Being a female business owner is a big part of my identity– and as my approach to business has evolved over the years, so has my relationship to being a woman in business.

My Journey as a Female Entrepreneur

My days at YogaRenew spent researching and engaging with the community!

When I first stepped into the world of entrepreneurship, I carried equal parts excitement and fear. The narrative I had absorbed for years told me that business success required competition, unyielding drive, and sacrifice. It required that I “rise and grind”, “work hard, play hard” and any other taglines that supported the hustle-culture mentality that was and is present in the world of business ownership.

It took time, unlearning, and deep self-trust to realize that there is another way—a way that is heart-centered, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling. And, maybe most importantly, a way that also allows me to be a present mama to my two young children.

Women have historically been taught to shrink, to play small, to seek permission. We’ve been told that we “can’t have it all” but that we “should do it all”.

But I believe that true leadership comes from rooting into our power, from owning our strengths unapologetically, and from supporting one another in ways that create lasting change.

The Unique Strength of Female Entrepreneurs

Women bring something extraordinary to the business world. We are intuitive, compassionate, and collaborative. We see beyond transactions—we build relationships, communities, and movements. Which is truly the essence of the work we do as yoga teachers + leaders. Making a living off of sharing this practice has to be rooted in more than dollar signs, because it requires us to move from our heart first.

And yet, despite all the progress that has been made, challenges persist.

We still face pay gaps, limited access to funding, and the expectation that we balance it all perfectly. But what gives me hope is seeing the incredible shift happening. More women are stepping into leadership, more women are claiming their worth, and more women are choosing to build businesses that reflect their values rather than traditional models of success.

Leading from a Place of Abundance

One of my core beliefs—one that I infuse into every business venture I’m a part of—is that business should feel aligned. That financial success and fulfillment are not mutually exclusive. That when women make more money, they have more power to create positive change, both in their own lives and in the world around them.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to success, and the beauty of female entrepreneurs is that we are redefining what it looks like every single day. We are choosing to lead with intuition, to market with authenticity, and to operate with deep integrity. We are choosing collaboration over competition, flow over force, and faith over fear.

We’re deciding that “full-time” work can be less than 40-hours per week so we can be there to pick up our kids from school. We’re deciding that it’s ok to say “no” to things that may offer a nice paycheck because we’d rather choose something that feels good so we can create space for something even bigger to come our way.

We’re believing that we can do things differently even if “that’s not how people do it”– because maybe it hasn’t been the way it’s been done before, but if it’s up to us– it’s how things are going to be done going forward. And I for one am no longer interested in fitting into what’s been done in the past. I’m much more focused on how I can shape the future– for my life and, most importantly, for my daughter.

A Constant Source of Inspiration

So many women have paved the way for the opportunities we have today. From trailblazers in entrepreneurship to mentors who have shown me what’s possible, I am endlessly inspired by the women who refuse to accept limitations.

Women like Sara Blakely, who built Spanx from the ground up with a dream of helping women to feel more confident, proving that you don’t need outside funding or approval to create a wildly successful business. Women like Brené Brown, who champion vulnerability and remind us that true leadership is about courage, not perfection. Women like the countless yoga teachers, wellness entrepreneurs, and creatives who make up the YogaRenew team, who are showing up, serving their communities, and doing work that truly matters.

A woman-led prenatal yoga class with YogaRenew’s Prenatal expert, and my fellow boss lady friend, Mélie Purdon

How We Can Support Women in Business

This International Women’s Day, I invite you to take action—not just to celebrate women, but to support them in real, tangible ways. Here’s how:

• Amplify Women’s Voices: Share and support the work of women-owned businesses, authors, and leaders in your industry.
• Invest in Women: Whether it’s purchasing from women-led brands, hiring female coaches and mentors, or funding women entrepreneurs, every dollar is a vote for the kind of world we want to create.
• Stand Up for Women: Speak up for your colleague who’s afraid of getting chastised for staying home when her baby is sick. Give a shout out to your incredible coworker in front of the leadership team for the amazing work she’s done. Make sure the women around you are heard and seen– we’re stronger when we do it together.
• Mentor and Uplift: If you’re further along in your journey, extend a hand to those just starting out. The path is easier when we walk beside each other.
• Embody Confidence and Abundance: As women, we set the tone for the next generation. When we show up fully, claim our worth, and pursue our dreams, we create permission for others to do the same.

A Future Where Women Thrive

I believe in a future where women don’t have to choose between success and joy. Where business is built on integrity, impact, and financial empowerment. Where we rise together—not despite our femininity, but because of it.

So today, I celebrate you—the woman reading this who is chasing her dreams, building something meaningful, and rewriting the rules. Your voice matters. Your work matters. And the world is better because you are in it.

Happy International Women’s Day. Let’s keep rising—together. I love you.