“I felt like I had stepped into ‘my world’ – one that resonated with my values, beliefs and ideals.”
Lydia Dyhin of Calma Lifestyle has always been fascinated and intrigued by the world of Spirituality. As a young adult, Lydia became involved with yoga and meditation and was hooked! Over the years, this passion grew and Lydia dreamt of sharing her knowledge, her understanding, the practices and their benefits.
Lydia had been teaching for several years in a high school and loved the interactions with the students, but the call to do this kept coming back over and over. 25 years ago, after a big move, Lydia grabbed an opportunity to get started and discovered that she just couldn’t get enough. “I loved the idea of nurturing calm, after all, that’s what the practices meant for me and I couldn’t wait to share how easy transformation can be! I felt like I had stepped into ‘my world’ – one that resonated with my values, beliefs and ideals.”
Lydia had run small side-businesses before, and grew from teaching to running a team and expanded her business to online global programs and Spiritual coaching.
At Calma Lifestyle, Lydia offers holistic solutions for stress, overwhelm and burn out with free YouTube resources, online self-paced programs and spirituality coaching for deeper meaning, purpose and transformation.
“Joining HerBusiness was one of the best decisions I have made for my business. It can be isolating as a solo entrepreneur – it’s so reassuring to have community, encouragement, support and inspiration…”
Lydia says about joining the HerBusiness Network “Joining HerBusiness was one of the best decisions I have made for my business. It can be isolating as a solo entrepreneur – it’s so reassuring to have community, encouragement, support and inspiration from Suzi, the HerBusiness team, my Growth Group and the online HerBusiness community.”
Lydia makes the most of all of the Network’s resources, including; quarterly strategy meetings, accountability groups, the Library of over 300 trainings, and the online community (where Lydia loves to immerse herself in the collaborations, wins, offers and recommendations from other business owners).
Lydia also finds extra inspiration in the HerBusiness Podcast – “They open the door to new solutions and creative ideas.”
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
My favourite entrepreneur is Suzi Dafnis. I have been in Suzi’s sphere for many years and have always admired her as a role model-she shows incredible dedication, not just to her own highly successful business, in particular-HerBusiness, but to all those under her guidance. Suzi is incredibly hard-working and sets an example as someone who knows no ‘glass ceiling’ and is more than happy to show others how to get there! That is gold in itself! Suzi has shown great leadership and resilience in the businesses that she has created, bearing many of the risks and enjoying the rewards. There is also a real authenticity, vulnerability and astounding creativity to all that she does. Her approach is wonderfully comprehensive in all aspects of business and inclusive of every member who walks with her. You really feel that she has your back and would absolutely love you to succeed in whichever way you choose. Even so, with a plethora of entrepreneurial wisdom, she will get right to the point quickly and makes astute assessments of which direction will make real progress. Best of all, Suzi’s entrepreneurial approach instills a self-belief and call to action!
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I have always been fascinated and intrigued by the world of Spirituality. As a young adult, I became involved with yoga and meditation and was hooked! The benefits of the practices, techniques and spiritual foundation were music to my body, mind, emotions and spirit. Over the years, this passion of mine grew and I dreamt of sharing my knowledge, my understanding, the practices and their benefits.
I had been teaching for several years in a high school and loved the interactions with the students. But the call to do this kept coming back over and over, yet I kept pushing it away, seeing it as a pipe dream. Then one day, I had the opportunity 25, yes 25 years ago! after moving states. I picked up a flyer at a reception desk-and thought – this is my moment – Just do it! Once I started, I just couldn’t get enough. I loved the idea of nurturing calm -after all that’s what the practices meant for me and I couldn’t wait to share how easy transformation can be! I felt like I had stepped into ‘my world’ – one that resonated with my values, beliefs and ideals. I had run small side-businesses up till then, so I wasn’t afraid of a new one, starting out teaching from home, then expanding into a commercial premises with a team of very talented yoga & meditation teachers, along with a team of natural therapists. Since that time, I moved states again! and expanded my business to online global programs and Spiritual coaching. On reflection, starting with one student in a home Studio to where the business is now, was a natural and expansive progression.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
I enjoy sharing my insights, skills, practices and wisdom gathered from years of self-study and my ever-growing qualifications! I love the people I come in contact with-clients is way too clinical a word-we share a much deeper connection on all levels, so ‘co-seekers’ is a more apt description. It’s the interactions and stories that are so fulfilling. I love that my online programs can make a huge difference for those who are struggling with things like Caregiving or Memory decline–even the simplest practices can be so powerful. The Spiritual Coaching arm allows me to share my knowledge and deep connection with Source/The All That Is-it’s so enjoyable to nurture meaning and purpose in peoples’ lives. I love that this can really make a difference at the deepest levels for us all. I am passionate about nurturing and connecting with Spirit and I get excited when others do too. I gain as much inspiration as they do.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
Firstly, to trust in my own personal and direct experience when it comes to sharing my knowledge, practices and skills-that they are really valuable and can assist and inspire others. This means letting go of the wish to compare yourself or feel smaller than someone you might look up to-we each have our unique ‘signature’, frequency and inner wisdom as humans on the path.
Secondly, to always be my authentic, real, vulnerable self-especially online! It’s ok to just be yourself. You don’t need a persona- people are looking for someone they can identify and align with, so they can feel good in their own skin too. It’s so empowering.
Thirdly, never underestimate your ability to learn new things, no matter how daunting they seem-so many parts of your business need practical knowledge such as social media, IT, budgets, marketing-all can be learned, understood and implemented and they are not that hard-they just need a different mindset and focus.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
The first thing I would say is that if you thought of it, it’s because the Universe is tapping you on the shoulder (as it did me). Check how you feel internally if it’s right for you-if you feel contracted inside and try to talk yourself out of it, then I would wait. But if you feel excited, uplifted, inspired and expanded when you think of it, then don’t hesitate. Start slowly if you prefer, as a side-project. There are also always the opinions and expectations of others around you. Certainly, mull over ideas with them but it’s all about being true to yourself and listening to your own intuition. You could also jump right in and take action! -plan, envision and implement.
When I started thinking about my business at the start, it was all about my passion, my enthusiasm, my joy and my wish to share my knowledge- what was within me that I wanted to offer? and how I was going to express it?-from that, came the name, the style I wanted to imbibe, the colors I wanted to use and where it was going to begin! This is priceless as it provides the impetus for growth, expansion and from there asking: what else can I offer? I would say, journal about those things-fall in love with what you do first-the rest will follow naturally. When I decided to expand into a commercial premises, I had no idea, how it was going to happen-it was a matter of researching and trusting and the most amazing teams literally landed on my doorstep. Yes, you have to deal with the practical aspects, but the right people appear to assist you, the right venue and structure, all unfold. Abundance follows because your heart is in the right place (your head follows your heart then). So, trust and explore your own inner world first. Then you can move to the next step which is to start to think about your ideal client, get clarity on that and then move to the organizational aspects.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
When you’re starting out in business, it seems like there’s a huge to-do list. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of preparation and the internal systems that need to be put into place but there are certain skills that help move you through with ‘smoother sailing’.
Starting out can feel daunting as it highlights the skills you need to be able to manage the day-to-day running of your business. What strikes you first, is the number of decisions that you need to make. Once you have your Vision, Mission (why you want to embark on this) and Business Plan set out, it’s vital that you back yourself when making decisions to move forward with. Along with decision-making skills, issues will arise at the drop of a hat or out of left field, and problem-solving skills need to come to the fore- to create ease and flow within your business right from the start.
For some reason, we can think that because it’s a business per se, that we may not have the skills needed to embark on our project, especially if we have never set one up before. One of the best ways to overcome this, is to think about perhaps a travel experience or a big social event that you needed to organise and use that as your confirmation of the skills that you already demonstrated to make it a success. You actually have a lot more in-built wisdom than you think! So, this is where leadership skills and team management become the next step.
Seeing yourself as a leader can be both empowering and nerve wracking. Your passion and love for what you do need to come into play, so you can move forward with clarity and a sense of calm. If you were just working by yourself and with yourself, then the tasks become somewhat easier. If you’re employing staff, it means taking the reins and thinking about leading and inspiring them to work with you towards your vision. This means stepping up with your communication skills-you might need to negotiate, express yourself clearly, pitch ideas and eventually interact with customers in a clear, professional and self-assured way. Once again, leaning on previous experience of a business or an organised event in your life, allows you to move forward with confidence. Amongst all of this, it’s easy to get lost in the number of hours that you need to spend on all this it’s vital to be able to think about time-management skills to be able to prioritise your tasks and manage any deadlines that need to be met. Each day, it’s a great idea to acknowledge and congratulate yourself for what you’ve achieved, implemented or negotiated. Planning ahead and keeping things simple will allow you to feel like you’re more in control.
Knowledge, when running a business, is power! There is a practical side to running a business that needs to met with open eyes (as opposed to head in the sand). It’s important to understand how to put even a modest business model, plan and strategy into place, so you know where you’re heading-like your GPS. This takes care of your short- and long-term goals, your finances, your growth and expansion and your values and ideals. There are many places face-to-face or online that show you how to set this out. Operational skills are much like any other event you may have organised before: you need to be organized and start putting some systems into place, so you don’t keep repeating the same processes and procedures. Decide on a system for your client intake, how your records will be kept and potential accessories for your business (daily items like a computer or recording equipment in my case). Imagine walking into your physical space and how it will look and what you will experience, then go from there. Financial skills such as understanding budgeting, cash flow and pricing will allow your business to flourish. You need to get a handle on how your business will be monetized and put those financial systems into place e.g. payment systems. Marketing and sales skills may or may not come naturally- but it’s important to become educated in knowing how to attract, convert, and retain customers. Practically speaking, this means you will need to have a ‘space ‘online with a website and social media presence – if you don’t know how to operate those, then employ someone. It’s vital to get the word out there! I would highly recommend a networking group as a resource, support, collaboration and inspiration-it can get isolating as a business owner, especially if you’re a solo entrepreneur. Ensure the legal and compliance side of the business is all looked after-what the requirements are for business registration, taxation, licensing, trademarks, copyright, and insurance. Even your business name can become problematic!
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My IDEAL business is very much manifesting! There is enormous reward creating a business that expresses who you are at the deepest level. I have online programs that nurture Calma Living with the knowledge that these helps support, encourage and offer solutions for day-to-day issues and concerns. My Spirituality Coaching Programs help create meaning, purpose and connection to life, others and Spirit-all incredibly fulfilling for us all. As well as this, I have created space within these frameworks for me-time: -we cannot offer from an empty cup! so time away as well as time for self-replenishment in nature and with my own practices are paramount. My Calma Circle membership helps create support, inspiration and community-all close to my heart. As a business owner, being part of the HerBusiness network, provides me with incredible inspiration, support, collaboration and practical solutions to any and all issues that may arise.
My IDEAL business would eventually include a social media manager, as well as someone to look after the bookkeeping which can get onerous (this would give me time to focus on the business, doing what I love most). One of my ideal business dreams has always been to create a Podcast and that is being created as we speak-I’m so excited! Another ideal business dream has been to write a book to inspire and encourage others-and that is already one-third completed. And then-Public Speaking-offering my wisdom, expertise and possibilities for transformation- is something that lights me up as an IDEAL part of my business. I love acronyms so IDEAL involves: Inspiration, Dedication, Empowerment, Action, Learning.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Joining HerBusiness was one of the best decisions I have made for my business. It can be isolating as a solo entrepreneur-it’s so reassuring to have community, encouragement, support and inspiration from Suzi, the HerBusiness team, my Growth Group and the online HerBusiness community. What a gift! It’s all offered very personally, seamlessly and individually which is exactly how I like it. I am able to collaborate with other business owners and get inspired by others’ successes. HerBusiness covers every single aspect of running of a business-no stone is left unturned! There are too many areas to be listed here but if you can think of it, it is offered-practically, consistently and comprehensively. I get so much out of the regular webinars and workshops which allow me to solve any problems I have, as well as get to know other members more individually. The business Resources on offer are astonishing with trainings, videos and downloads. On top of all that, extra inspiration is offered via the HerBusiness Podcast, with topics that can often niggle at you in your business. They open the door to new solutions and creative ideas. The online community is phenomenal as we congratulate each other, make offers to each other, collaborate with each other and share our own wins every step of the way. Business trips away to get more inspiration, collaboration and life enjoyment are the icing on the cake!
Learn more about Lydia and Calma Lifestyle.
