Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Nekita Sullivan.
Hi, Dr. Nekita. I am so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story? How did you get to where you are today?
There were very few ethnic hair salons for students of color when I was an undergraduate at Clemson University. We would travel to neighboring counties for ethnic hair care and products. I was surprised to discover that the problem still existed several years later. That, coupled with my burnout working as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in the traditional healthcare system, nudged me to try business ownership. I opened my first brick-and-mortar business, a multiethnic hair salon, downtown Clemson on Valentine’s Day 2020. We were open 3 weeks before officially closing with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I cried like a baby for months. Then, I put my big girl pants on. I had to find a way to pay the rent of the building I had leased. I had too many obstacles reopening the salon, including being unable to employ and staff cosmetologists, being declined government funding for the economic disaster loan and paycheck protection program, and using most of my funding to stay open during the pandemic. To name a few, this led me to pivot. I sold all my salon equipment and knocked down a room to open the studio space. I combined my skills as a doctor of physical therapy, yoga, and Pilates teacher, and certified health education specialist. I reopened Yoga Therapy Bar to provide holistic physical therapy, yoga, Pilates, and wellness services.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Again, I had several struggles along the way. My biggest obstacle was funding. Unfortunately, venture capital in 2020 was only 0.40% for African-American females. As a result, I made some serious sacrifices. I used my IRA and savings. I rented and eventually sold my home and possessions. I finally received an economic disaster loan from the SBA after applying and re-applying over 1.5 years. One of the crucial components of a successful business is appropriate marketing, promotion, and advertising. Marketing can be costly. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the proper funding to purchase the best marketing services. I had to learn how to market services and reach out to organizations such as the Small Business Development Center, Community Works, and SCORE for assistance.
I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Yoga Therapy Bar LLC?
Yoga Therapy Bar provides holistic physical therapy, yoga, Pilates, and wellness services. Services are available in the studio, via telehealth, and off-site in the community. My career has allowed me to work with various individuals and groups. As a result, I can provide services for youth, adults, seniors, special needs, athletes, teams, and corporations. My unique service is the combination of physical therapy with yoga and Pilates. I am also a certified hand therapist, which allows me to help those with hand and arm injuries due to repetitive use, cumulative trauma, or accidents (such as manufacturing workers, cosmetologists, musicians, and more). I am most proud of being able to brand my unique service combination of physical therapy with yoga and Pilates. This allows me to help improve physical and mental health with the superpowered use of yoga in breath work and meditation. Many physical health issues are due to a lack of flexibility and core strength. Yoga and Pilates are excellent at improving both. Yoga Therapy Bar services the Upstate and reaches globally via telehealth due to virtual technology. I am accessible by my website, www.yogatherapybar.com, and by email at info@yogatherapybar.com. I am also connected via social media on Facebook and Instagram @yogathearpybar, X (Twitter), YouTube @yogatherapybar1, and I am linked to the yoga-therapy-bar. It is my privilege to provide health and wellness services to improve the health of the body and mind. Movement is medicine!
What matters most to you?
It is my privilege to holistically provide health and wellness services that improve the physical and mental health of the body and mind. Movement is medicine!
Pricing:
- Small group classes start at $25
- Physical Therapy sessions start at $185
- 15 minute phone consultations $0
- Hourly consulting for corporations $350
- Public Speaking services for non-profits start at $350 for honorariums
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yogatherapybar.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogatherapybar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogatherapybar/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yoga-therapy-bar/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/YogaTherapyBar1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/yogatherapybar1
