Meet Ilona Erskine | Inner Freedom & Community Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ilona Erskine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ilona, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
To be honest if you look back at my business journey over the past 4 years it has shifted many times. From mainly teaching online yoga, creating an online yoga course, teaching kids yoga, experimenting with creating homemade body butters/oils and doing many vendor shows, then going back to creating an online course this time for helping women embrace that their life is THE VIBE, to finally taking a leap on hosting my first Unleash Ur Inner Goddess in person retreat, then pivoting and trying out bridal yoga, then getting an opportunity to teach corporate yoga before shifting to Mama’s On The Rise.

I would say collectively my experiences in my business journey has led me to start this new business journey. It’s speaking and getting inspo from different women I have met over the past years. It’s getting the chance to become pregnant and learning from myself and others about motherhood. I’ve heard so many stories from different mama’s. From the “just you waits” to the feeling alone and not feeling like yourself, or that it’s so worth it.

I feel like my business slowly readjusts to what season of life I am in.

With this new business journey I want to help mama’s find themselves again, to fill their cup back up, to know that they have a community even if it’s not in person, but virtually or if they are in a season to meet in person that there are opportunities to. Connecting with other entrepreneurs has been something I’ve always loved doing. So part of my brand is recognizing other entrepreneurs and creating a calendar of events to help women fill their cup up. Maybe it’s a venting session event, something for the whole family, creative outlets, relaxation or just something random and fun.

I guess after having these conversations with other mama’s I want to help fill the gap as I learn through their journey and my own. Afterall, they say it takes a village and I want to expand my village before I need one.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Our vision at Mama’s On The Rise is to create a community where women have access to a sisterhood of support. Kinda like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. We believe that every mama deserves a friend to connect with who is transparent, but also helps her rise up throughout her journey by filling her cup back up with relaxation, fun and some creative energy. This community allows her to be very involved or from a distance depending on her season.

I’m excited that I get to help other entrepreneurs and mama’s by blending the two. There are soooo many amazing small business owners who have awesome events that I want to share this knowledge with others and help create a community, I know that it can be hard to remember who is having what event on what day so to ease the search I created an online calendar of events some online and some in the SWMI area.

Community is what I am most excited to grow.

I got where I am today by past experiences and listening to others along the way.

It deff isn’t easy. Some days are deff less challenging than others. In general it’s challenging when you are frequently shifting your biz. I always think do I start over and try to get a new audience or do I keep the same clientele and allow them to see the shift over time?

Over time I’ve learned to attempt to go with the flow, talk to others who are similar boats, those who are ahead of me, but also step away from social media and come back to my why am I doing this business.

Which isn’t always easy as I feel like I’m always shifting my biz so I never know if I should start new

If this is what you been missing join our email list today to stay connected & our FB community.

We can’t wait to get to know you 🙂

P.S. We have twin babies brewing as new parents so we deff need this community too 🙂

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1 we would probably have a chill afternoon at my house and catch up and get take out.

Day 2 I would take them to South Haven because it’s one of my favorite and calming spots. If she hadn’t seen a sand dune I would take her to the South Haven State Park first and climb the sand dune. Then we would drive to the other part of South Haven beach. We would walk around downtown, chill on the beach and catch up, grab a bite wherever we were craving that day (most likely pizza or a mexican restaurant). Then we would go to an ice cream parlor get our eat our ice cream and take it down to the beach and watch the sunset.

Day 3 Find a walking trail in the kalamazoo area and get some fresh air while chatting.

Day 4 Choose an activity from one of my local small business friends events.

Day 5 Go back to another beach such as Eagle Lake in Battle Creek and have another beach day.

Day 6 Let her decide what sounds good, rest or venture out.

Day 7 Find a breakfast place before she heads back home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh gosh where do I start?

I’d have to start with my cousin, Debbie. She has been one of my main inspirations. She too has shifted her biz many times over the years before I even started any of mine. I always admired her willingness and excitement to try new things. To step outside of the box and find ways to create her own wealth and knowledge. To be honest, if I didn’t know someone personally and someone close to me if I would have even tried to start my own business journey,

Over time, I have read mannny books over the years, but I’d have to say one that I distinctly remember is Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis. I remember reading it and telling my cousin that she should read it or start with Girl, Wash Your Face.

Shortly, after that conversation we found out that Rachel had a Business Conference that upcoming year. My cousin Debbie was like “WE SHOULD GO!” As I sat there looking at her like, girl, we won’t have an actual business lol. We still ended up going as we loved learning new things and finding an excuse to travel.

Attending that business conference I would have to say was pivotal. A few months after that I went to Rachel’s Women’s Conference Solo and that created even more fire within me. So thanks Rachel for creating that environment and your guest speaker line up. Also, shout out to Trent Shelton and his fire podcasts/words of wisdom at both conferences.

Next I would like to say my family and friends. My family has always had my back even if they were unsure of what exactly I was doing 🙂 and that means more than they know. As for friends you know who you are! The ones that support even if it’s from a distance and new friends along the entrepreneur journey. Gosh you have no idea how refreshing it has been to have other like minded people to vent to and literally uplift one another even if we are all like WHAT ARE WE DOING?!

Honestly, anyone who has followed me on my journey or who I have crossed paths with. Each encounter has been a learning experience.

Lastly, gosh anyone who has been a customer! Each transaction seriously gave me a little more confidence and warmth in my heart as I truly remember and appreciate each one of you.

Website: https://865a33b3-4280-4f76-96b2-148794.godaddysites.com/

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