Ivory Howard

Yoga Instructor

Ivory Howard understands that everyone’s relationship with health and wellness is different, and she seeks to honor that with her work. She provides her clients with challenging workouts focused on strength, balance and flexibility to help them reach their health and fitness goals.

She is a certified yoga and Pilates instructor. She also received her Master of Public Health and advanced training in plant-based nutrition.

She’s been seen in US News and World Report, Health Digest, Fit & Well, Weight Watchers, The Zoe Report, Sisters from AARP, Shoutout LA, Men’s Book Atlanta, Voyage LA, and other publications for helping others achieve their health and fitness goals.

What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?

I often block each day off for specific task such as content creation and social media tasks, pitching, writing and teaching. Depending on the focus for the day, start of the work day begins by making a list of things that I want to accomplish. Then, I may pitch a few media outlets and podcasts, schedule social media posts, teach classes and finish the day with a few admin tasks so that I set myself up to have a good day the following day.

How do you bring ideas to life?

A large project can often seem impossible so I break larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks.

What’s one trend that excites you?

We know from a study recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine that whether you choose to exercise regularly or in just one or two sessions a week that you, lowering your risk of an early death. Many people feel that they don’t have enough time to workout. If your schedule doesn’t allow for several sessions a week, you can meet your exercise requirements in just one or two sessions on the weekend. Several exercise session a week can feel overwhelming for many but just one or two yoga classes a week feels achievable.

If you’re having trouble finding the time, start small. we know from other research studies that 10-12 minutes of exercise is beneficial. These exercise snacks are great if you have a busy schedule.

What is one habit that helps you be productive?

I start my day with a a workout. Starting your day with a workout ensures that you exercise before competing priorities pop up and sideline your workout. It allows me to feel more alert and focused throughout the day. Exercise is not optional. It is essential … personally and professionally.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Stop worrying so much about what it looks like and share it with your potential clients.

Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.

Move your body everyday. Movement can take many different forms. It can be deep stretching for 20 minutes. It can be a long, brisk walk. It can be yoga. It can also be a 10-minute exercise snack.

What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?

In health and wellness, there’s a lot of talk about balance. Forget balance and focus on your priorities.

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?

I encourage anyone who’s feeling overwhelmed to begin to take action. Stop thinking, stop researching, stop planning, and just take action. Think of one small step that can move you forward and just take that step. All of the other steps will follow.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?

Last year, I challenged myself to do more free marketing and decided to create a series of free yoga classes to build my email list, develop brand awareness, and market my services. But I didn’t stop there. I challenged myself to do it all for free! I got the venue for free. I printed the flyers for free. I partnered with other businesses to offer prizes and promote the event series. Through these events, I’ve been able to double my email list, improve search ranking, put myself out there in new ways so that I can reach my ideal client, and make more money in my business.

What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?

Although your friends and family love and support you, they may not be able to support you in the way that you need in your business. It’s important to build a network of supportive entrepreneurs in your corner who are rooting for you to succeed, referring clients to you, and open to collaborating with you. I did not always have that until I joined an inclusive community of entrepreneurs. This is the community that I was searching for early in my entrepreneurial endeavors but it did not yet exist. It makes the entrepreneurial pursuit much easier with this kind of support. Be sure to develop and nurture your network of other entrepreneurs.

What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?

The person who can develop a natural, great smelling sunscreen and insect repellent product will win summer.

What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

Zapier. I use it to eliminate repetitive tasks and post content to multiple social media platforms at once. I also use it to add event contacts to a mailing list so that they can receive updates about the event.

What is the best $100 you recently spent?

Probably on a pair of leggings. I can’t remember the last $100 but recently I bought a twenty-dollar tripod for my phone that makes content creation so much easier.

Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?

Cubicle to CEO is one of my favorite podcasts. Ellen, the host, makes makes sure to present an insightful case study of business strategies in every episode.

What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?

I’m currently enjoying the fourth season of Atlanta.

Key learnings:

  • Think of one small step that can move you forward and just take that step.
  • When you’re feeling stuck, challenge yourself to do it for free and see how many creative solutions pop up.
  • Move your body everyday.