Today we’d like to introduce you to Dorian Lopez.
Dorian, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After suffering from inexplicable back pain for nearly 5 years, in 2014 I was diagnosed with a rare genetic back disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. This disease attacks the back and can cause complete paralysis of the spine. After researching ways to slow down the progression of this disease, I came across a blog of a lady in her sixties who had the same diagnosis. She described her saving grace as the magic that is Bikram Yoga. I have been practicing 5-7 times a week ever since. I view my diagnosis as a blessing because it is what led me to the beautiful practice of yoga. Every time I finish a class, I feel completely rejuvenated, like a new person. Bikram yoga is literally saving my life.
After attending yoga classes for several months, I realized that yoga towels are very plain and boring. Yoga towels tend to be very expensive as well. When I first started practicing, I ordered towels on Amazon and spent over $65 for each one. I thought to myself, there must be a better way. I became inspired to design yoga towels based on the beauty found in nature. After doing some research, I realized that I could offer beautiful, high quality towels at a very affordable price. Since 2016, Yogiscapes is on a mission to bring more peace and happiness to one person, one mat, and one practice at a time.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a first time small business owner, you are inevitably going to face challenges along the road. Like anything in life, when you are doing something for the first time, it can be a bit nerve wrecking and overwhelming. There is an inevitable learning curve as well. For me personally, the biggest challenge has been lack of time. I wear many hats (mother, wife, attorney, and advocate, volunteer) and so for me, not having enough time in the day has been the biggest challenge in growing my business. My goal is to build relationships with yoga studios across Southern California so that more people can have access to these towels. Yogiscapes is a proud supporter of No Silence No Violence, a San Diego based non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence. A percentage of each sale is donated to this wonderful organization. With increased awareness about Yogiscapes and the awesome cause it supports, I hope to see Yogiscapes towels sold in yoga/pilates studios everywhere.
Yogiscapes – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Yogiscapes was founded in 2016 in San Diego, CA by yogi Dorian Lopez. In 2014, Dorian was diagnosed with a genetic back disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. This disease attacks the back and can cause complete paralysis of the spine. Since that day, Dorian began to practice Bikram Yoga and has made a commitment to live a healthy and happy life. Dorian views her diagnosis as a blessing because it is what led her to the beautiful practice of yoga. In an attempt to maximize the mind – body – soul experience yoga provides, Dorian was inspired to create towels inspired by the beauty in nature. Yogiscapes is on a mission to bring more peace and happiness to one person, one mat, and one practice at a time.
Yogiscapes specializes in offering high quality, super absorbent yoga mat towels for a very affordable price. Yogiscapes towels are made of a highly absorbent microfiber polyester/nylon combo. The beautiful designs include a Bora-Bora Escape and a Thailand Mountain Escape. These towels great for any type of hot yoga or heated pilates class. What sets us apart from other yoga towel companies is that we sell our towels at a very affordable price of $25.00 plus s/h. Other towel company towels typically range between $45.00 – $85.00. At Yogiscapes, we believe in making yoga affordable for all.
What I am most proud of is Yogiscapes’ commitment to raising awareness for domestic violence and prevention. As a survivor of domestic violence, it is part of my life’s work to help in this capacity. It is my hope that the contributions made on behalf of Yogiscapes are able to help other survivors not only survive, but thrive.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
One of our most exciting moments was when we closed a deal with our very first yoga studio, Sculpt Fusion in La Jolla, CA. As a first time business owner, this deal meant more than just selling some towels. It meant that someone else believed in me and believed in Yogiscapes’ mission.
Pricing:
- Each towel is sold for $25.00
Contact Info:
- Website: Yogiscapes.com
- Email: dorian@yogiscapes.com
- Instagram: Yogiscapes 2016
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogiscapes/
Image Credit:
Krissy Oaks, Jacklyn Holtz, Souheil,
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