I've seen so many coaches & yoga business courses that focus on how to get more clients and grow your following.
While I understand that those are topics many teachers focus on, I think it is doing a disservice to our industry to not also educate yoga teachers who want to run businesses about how to protect themselves & their business.
It's not the pretty stuff - but owning a business comes with risk. Not to mention we live in a time (and a place if you are located in the US like me) that can allow people to take legal action over anything.
This is not to make you scared - just make sure you have yourself covered. That is the best you can do.
Here are 4 simple ways to protect you & your business:
1. Choose the Right Business Entity Type for You
Choosing the right type of business entity type for you and your business is one of the most important things you can do. Understanding the differences between a sole proprietor, an LLC, and a corporation is foundation knowledge I think each and every yoga teacher should understand to ensure that they make a choice based on their life and business reality.
Pro tip: do this as early on in the process as you can so you start off on the right foot
2. Have Waivers for Your Classes
If you've taken a class at a yoga studio, you probably signed a waiver on your first trip in. Maybe you didn't even think about it! But waivers are essential to incorporate into your own business as well.
Maybe you are thinking, I only teach my friends & family or people who really like me. But like & trust doesn't cover you.
Having waivers in place helps cover incidents if they do occur & provides your customers with information about your expertise and the scope of what you are (and are not) providing or guaranteeing.
3. Have Written Policies
Having additional policies for your website (you need privacy policy & terms of use here!) and to cover any other terms for your business is also important.
How can clients pay you?
What type of information do you collect?
What is your refund policy?
How can people contact you?
All of this and more go into these types of policies and are a general and comprehensive way to make sure users (people who may not even take a class with you) understand your business and how they interact with it.
4. Get The Best Insurance
This one can be so enlightening for yoga teachers! There are different kinds of insurance out there & you want to make sure you get one that covers you, everything you offer, and everywhere you teach.
You do not have to go with the 'big name' insurers that some alliances make you think are the only option.
For any type of insurance (home & car included) talking to brokers, getting on the phone to ask questions, and getting educated about how you are covered and to cover everything that you do is so so so important.
Knowing what you are covered for and what you are not is so important.
Feeling a little more prepared? I hope so. That is my goal - to empower yoga teachers to run their businesses in a sound, professional, and legitimate way.
If you're looking for more help to get off on the right foot, join my newsletter below or check out my Yoga Business Course for all the essentials to starting a business of your own!
Any more questions? Drop them below in the comments.
DISCLAIMER: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as legal, financial, or medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis, or the advice of your own attorney, accountant, physician, or financial advisor. Always check with your own physician, attorney, financial advisor, accountant, or other business or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.
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