Krishna Davenport is the founder of Baobab Wellness and focuses on her paleo lifestyle and a mind/body/soul connection to fitness. Krishna is the mom of two who believes in balance in all things. Krishna has been practicing yoga for 15 years and is the creative mind behind the #yogayogayall hashtag. Read our interview with the lovely Krishna below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
In one word, necessity. I was a corporate carrying member of Wall Street, always busy, always on the edge of burn out. My ability to leave work and go to the gym was my saving grace. The birth of my second child changed that and was the force that helped me create a space for moms to take a step back and refuel.
Tell us about your business.
Baobab Wellness is a wellness space that focuses directly on mothers of color and their wellness journey. There are several layers to wellness and we work to help the moms reach and tap into each of them. We host and curate healthy lifestyle events, that feature the latest in fitness, chef taught tricks to healthy quickie meals and a mind body reboot (i.e. yoga, Reiki, min massages).
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Yes, we are gearing up for our first event in 2017, A Mother’s Wellness Journey in Brooklyn. This event will include two workouts, brunch and two speakers who will focus on the importance of wellness. Follow me on Instagram for more details.
Where is your business based?
We are based in Brooklyn, NY.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
The first step we took was social media. I run a blog where I focus on the many aspects of wellness but more specifically my family and our journey to a PALEO lifestyle. The buzz kicked through social media helping us kick off our first event. The next step was for me to get my nutritional coaching certification to make potential clients feel more secure in the advice I was providing.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
The most effective way has been friends and word of mouth. I’ve been able to gain most of my clients simply from recommendation.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Reaching my direct community. When we see events that are about health and wellness they rarely focus on mothers of color, if mothers at all. And when they do, they tend to be extremely expensive. The most ridiculous times are when they don’t take into account that women actually work!
How did you overcome these challenges?
I began scheduling my events in the neighborhood through schools. That helped because when parents picked up their children they would see the flyer and be intrigued and possibly attend.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
This is going to sound silly, but I dance. I turn up my favorite playlist and create lengthy choreographed pieces. I’ve danced my entire life and the greatest moments, besides marrying my husband and giving birth to #TheBabyGiants, center around dance. Once I’m done dancing my head is clear and I am automatically refocused.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
By focusing on mothers of color. There are so many stereotypes about black women not working out, not caring about their health and being reduced to balls of stress because of poverty etc. I focus on the women that other wellness spaces forget and lift them up, because I’m one of those women.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Stop crying and start doing. I went through a dark period over the last month and a dear friend finally got tired of my tears and told me to get up out of the bed and stop sulking because nothing was getting done.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Despite all the ups and down, stay vigilant, stay open and stay ready. I hear a lot of entrepreneurs declining working with other people because they only want to make money. Some of my greatest collaborations were done without pay, and we all won in the end. I’m not saying give it all away, I’m saying stay open to what could be.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
I would say Wunderlist is my favorite business tool. I have 1,000 ideas a minute and the only way they stay organized and possibly execute them is if I put them in Wunderlist.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @baobabwellness
Twitter @baobabwellness
Facebook www.facebook.com/Baobabwellness
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
I took a break from business books over the last two months. I have been reading “The Art of Happiness” by the Dalai Lama. It has kept me focused and able to come out from under the cloud that was hanging over me.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I’m actually looking for additional ways to connect with mothers of color interested in demystifying our struggles and journey, not just in wellness but in every aspect of life.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
January and February is PRIME TIME for fitness businesses, everyone, everywhere decides to get fit, so I’m going to start building more on IG. My workouts, my kids working out with me, what we eat and where we shop – a real look at what your coach is doing! I’m also doing a lot more public speaking and writing, my first engagement will be at Hollins University, my alma mata!