We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandra Charles and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alexandra, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I fell in love with yoga and meditation many years ago and I would go to different studios to do them. I wanted to create a space that you could get both. I also wanted to create something for myself with a little bit more security than just being a freelance performer and yoga teacher. After a lot of thought, weighing up options, and talking to business owner friends of mine, I decided that I would take the leap and create the business that I wished existed.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I trained my whole life as a professional dancer and performer. When I started working in that industry it took me to many places around the world and I was able to have many great life experiences and accomplishments. Like any highly competitive industry, this wasn’t always easy and definitely had its ups and downs. In my 20’s I found yoga as a way to heal my body from a few injuries I had from performing, and meditation to work on some inner turmoil I was experiencing. I fell in love with it all and spent years practicing 4-6 times a week and trying out different styles. As time went on I decided to do my teacher training so that I could start being a yoga teacher. Teaching for 5 years, I grew more in love with learning and exploring and decided I wanted to create my own studio. Creating a studio has definitely been challenging, and in all honesty, there have been times I wanted to throw in the towel and run away. And also, when I have members at the studio tell me that they have never done yoga or meditation before but since starting at Soul Tribes, they are feeling better about themselves, body, and mind, that is what keeps me going.
I am also very grateful to have such wonderful family and friends that have been there to help comfort and support me when things get hard. I think it is very important for people to have a good community around them so that you can remember you are not in this life alone. Another reason I created Soul Tribes yoga + meditation, was to help build a community for people. Being an ex-pat from Australia I understand the feeling of being alone when I first moved to America. When we feel alone, life isn’t as bright as it is when we feel seen, heard, and part of a community. My hope is that people that join Soul Tribes feel like they can find community there, find friends, or at least find a welcoming safe place for them to come to when they want.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My best friend Kristal Casey is someone who helped me so much in creating my business and helping me feel supported, whether that be someone to run ideas by, a shoulder to cry on when things were tough, or a mentor as she is an incredible business owner herself.
Website: www.soultribeshtx.com
Instagram: @soultribeshtx @alexandracharles_
Facebook: @soultribeshtx
Image Credits
Gilded Sun Photography RS Photography