Jolene Cherry is a certified and experienced yoga instructor and personal trainer based in Portland, Oregon. Combining her passion for travel, physical fitness, and meditation, Ms. Cherry studied with renowned yoga instructors in Thailand as well as Hawaii. She excels in a variety of yoga styles, especially Vinyasa Yoga, traditional Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga, as well as meditation-oriented Yin Yoga. Cherry believes that striking a balance in life is the key to wellbeing and aims to help her clients reach that balance through physical activity, mindfulness, and healthy nutrition. When she is not working, she likes to travel, hike, and enjoy the best espresso in town. She also volunteers at Yoga in the Park and is a big dog lover.
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Jolene Cherry and I live and work in Portland, Oregon. Apart from being a passionate advocate for fitness and health in general, I operate my own business as a personal trainer and yoga instructor. While I invest the majority of my time and efforts into in-person sessions, thanks to tech, several of my clients take advantage of my services when they travel for work or pleasure. I’m humbled that I can help people in my career and believe that everyone can achieve well-being via exercise, mindfulness, and proper nutrition.
What makes you different than other professionals in your field?
I’ve been fortunate enough to train under some truly amazing people. It’s my intention to pass on that knowledge to clients in a manner that respects their needs and goals.
How much potential market share can you achieve in the next 3 years?
First and foremost, I want to provide excellent service and believe that expansion will occur organically. Growth is a necessary aspect of any business; however, my mantra is always to put the client’s needs first. That being said, I look forward to carving out a niche online by utilizing video platforms and live broadcast technology.
What was the most important part of your professional journey?
Hands down, building relationships, and a community with active conversations, whether it’s online or in-person.
What are the best and worst purchases you’ve ever made?
Running shoes. My feet have benefited and suffered as a result of my purchasing abilities. Buying the appropriate exercise gear is vital since it reduces the risk of injury and enhances your training. I recommend my clients take the time to get correctly fitted for training and/or running shoes by a professional to ensure their feet are getting the proper support. Long-term, this can make all the difference, especially with endurance.
What takes up too much of your time?
The administrative side of the business. When you’re first starting as an entrepreneur, you wear various hats, which can be fun as well as exhausting. Since delegation may not be an option at first, trial and error a system until it is clean as a whistle to save you time, money, and headaches.
What three pieces of advice would you give to college students/new startup business owners who want to become entrepreneurs?
- Stay curious about everything! Curiosity leads to passion; passion leads to action; action leads to a fulfilling life.
- Find a mentor. Having someone you trust to bounce ideas off of is invaluable.
- You will never be 100% ready to start a business, so trust your instincts and dive in.
Who has impressed you most with what they’ve accomplished?
Despite the trend in the news, there are so many inspiring people today. I’m personally impressed with Bill Gates and his conviction for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Though remarkable people aren’t just on the world stage, look in your local community, and you’ll be happily surprised by the efforts of several individuals.
What drives you to keep going when it’s really tough?
As a fitness trainer and yoga teacher, I find daily inspiration in my clients. Their hard work and ultimate growth to transform their lifestyles is a rewarding experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.
How should people connect with you?
The best way to connect with me is at www.jolenecherrywellness.com