Entrepreneur Spotlight・Jodi Rose
“Don’t be afraid to pivot! As an entrepreneur, you are very likely a problem solver. Use that skill as you reconsider how your products and services meet the changing needs of your clients.”
Jodi is one of my students and I just love her! We met via Zoom during a couple of Ask Me Anything sessions and her energy, brain power and positive spirit were so inspiring. As someone who has experienced a kind of creative awakening this year I especially appreciate her art therapy approach in business. The way she has organized her courses and free library using Member Areas is awe inspiring and a great example why Squarespace is such a wonderful platform for creative businesses. Thank you so much, Jodi, for this beautiful interview and these words of wisdom: “The other side of uncertainty is opportunity.” So true.
Jodi Rose・Art Therapist, Yoga Teacher, Author & Coach
Jodi Rose Gonzales ATR, NCC, RYT200 is an art therapist, author, yoga teacher and coach who empowers people to achieve lasting personal change and breakthrough professional results.
She is the author of two Amazon #1 New Releases, Drawn to Yoga and the Doodle’s Code. Jodi offers life and business coaching, workshops, and yoga classes, all with a unique fusion of art therapy, positive psychology, and mindfulness.
She has presented three times at the national conference of the American Art Therapy Association; the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association, and at colleges and regional conferences. Jodi has been sourced in over 100 articles and blogs including Bustle, Healthline, ThriveGlobal, Theravive, and the Journal of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association.
1) Tell us about your business
I’m an art therapist, author, yoga instructor and coach. I help people manage stress, life changes, and uncertainty through a unique fusion of creativity and yoga wisdom teachings. My business offers a range of services including art therapy business and/or life coaching; virtual workshops and retreats; and self-help art journals, videos and books.
2) Has Covid changed the way you run your business?
COVID helped me expand my business in several ways. First, my services and techniques are highly effective in helping people manage the stress and uncertainty that presented alongside the pandemic. People really like the refreshingly new angle of art therapy journaling and yoga as resources for self-discovery and self-care. Second, the pandemic normalized virtual programming. I was used to Zoom meetings and group online coaching but previously found it to be a hard sell to the public. Now, I teach classes to students around the country on an almost weekly basis. That’s extremely handy, because I broadcast from a tiny studio in Wisconsin’s north woods!
3) What are the challenges and rewards?
I am a solo entrepreneur. When I wrote my business plan, I explored the various ‘staff’ functions that are needed to manage and operate my business. I realized I perform nine, yes NINE staff roles. I manage a mountain of moving parts—while also constantly shifting roles—and while also providing direct services to my clients and business partners. While that is challenging, it’s also very rewarding.
The greatest reward is receiving notes of gratitude from my students and clients. Their success is my success!
4) What does your self-care look like these days?
As a wellness professional, it’s important to me that I practice what I teach. I use art therapy journaling to consistently monitor my work/life balance. I’ve also been intentionally and incrementally working to slow my pace a bit. I take daily walks in nature, step away from my computer on the weekends, and celebrate the virtual connections that are made in my monthly mastermind workshops. As freebies, these workshops are easy and fun to teach. Instead of thinking of these as ‘work’, I focus on the joy of meeting new people and connecting on a personal level through the shared experience of the events. It’s so inspiring!
5) How has the new Squarespace Member Areas product helped your business?
Member Areas has hands-down been the best investment I have made for offering lead magnets. I launched my Discovery Library in January. It offers a curated collection of yoga videos, art journal techniques, and other resources to improve work-life balance. Within the first month, I more than tripled the number of new sign-ups from the prior year, with all of my other lead magnets combined! I’m excited to expand the use of the Member Areas for courses and an on-demand virtual yoga studio, later this year.
6) Do you have any tips for other entrepreneurs during these uncertain times?
Don’t be afraid to pivot! As an entrepreneur, you are very likely a problem solver. Use that skill as you reconsider how your products and services meet the changing needs of your clients. Give yourself permission to use your creativity as you redefine your solutions to their problems! Perhaps your product or service remains the same, but you must adjust the way you do your sales pitch or the way you deliver your goods.
Remember: ultimately, the other side of uncertainty is opportunity. With your leadership skills and insights, you have the potential to provide breakthroughs to everyone you serve—whether you work B2B or B2C. Your approach (and success) during these times is highly defined by your MINDSET!
