What motivated you to start your business and what is your vision for the future of the company?

I identified a couple areas of the market place that were lacking. First was an advanced yoga and/or wellness studio founded on not just classical disciplines, but also modern learning for healing and performance outcomes. Second was a teaching facility involved in professional education and certification within the industry at a standard that would be recognized abroad yet infuse symbiotic aspects of non yoga specific healing and performance modalities. The basis of the business is to provide fitness and wellness classes anchored by various yoga disciplines, that are delivered through a faculty of compassionate and knowledgeable teachers. Classes are curated and informed not only by yoga, but also by a range of teacher backgrounds and expertise that include nutrition, clinical counselling, kinesiology, competitive athletics, trauma therapy and more. Classes and/or workshops are offered seven days a week from morning to evening allowing convenient access for most guest’s schedules. Additionally, a tremendous amount of thought was given to the construction of the facility ensuring the best possible holistic experience. From the time you enter the studio and are greeted by the aesthetics, purified and conditioned air, a genuinely welcoming staff; to the nuanced sensory load you experience during class; to the beautiful change room and retail amenities you can enjoy before leaving; all things were considered and provided with intention and to the highest standard, yet without any pretense. I noticed that the community had a growing elderly base, yet conversely had indications of a growing athletic and recreational sport base. Both of which could benefit from classes and workshops that focused on mobility, functional range conditioning and performance based movement that were approachable and with informal access and participation, but which could be complimentary to any other traditional healing modalities a member or guest may be receiving elsewhere. As for my vision for the future of my company, in my opinion branding should be viewed as a global entity due to the advent of social media and off shore manufacturing. With that in mind the Noble brand has the potential for expansion (and is expanding) across a number of fronts. Our plan is to move toward our own branded (physical) products where we can weigh in more directly on the manufacturing and distribution process with the intention of providing a more conscientious product that positively impacts manufacturing conditions and minimizes distribution affects on the environment. Some of the products we are exploring are technical apparel, performance based nutrition, technical training props and self-care grooming products. We also have plans to create a physical training, workshop and retreat centre; expand the number of physical studio locations (we are in the scouting phase); develop our online services which include classes and micro-workshops, as well as teacher training modules and a digital library. We are also eyeing the development of a sophisticated e-commerce solution and smart device app that can showcase our physical and virtual product offerings elegantly. Within the last year we have delivered our first (YYT200) yoga teacher training certification program, launched our first retreat workshop abroad, fabricated aerial rigging for the launch of our aerial yoga classes (which has expanded the visible profile of our business and expanded membership). We also expect a reasonably steady rise to our membership base (based on current rates and projections) through our continuous local marketing and positive word of mouth.

Why do you deserve to win the Best Youth Entrepreneur Award?

I was first introduced to yoga as a teenager. I had been living on the streets at that time, a survivor of a violent relationship. I struggled in all the ways expected from such circumstances. Not only had my body suffered from trauma, but also my spirit and self-esteem. As a result, I questioned my future and moved along in my life without a discernible path. As fate would dictate, I was invited to participate in a yoga class during this aimless part of my life. This was my first yoga class and I was unsure of myself and what to expect as I got onto my mat. By the end of the class something unfamiliar happened to me. In the safety and conviviality of the room I connected inwardly and got a taste of something that I would learn to share, but that would always be mine - the ‘practice’. My ‘practice’ evolved over time from the initial pursuit of displacing self-loathing with self-love through physical mastery to a realization that healing and development of my whole person involved applying guiding principles to govern all areas of my life whether financially, communally, interpersonally and so forth. How I live my life when off my yoga mat is a testament to the tenets espoused while on my mat. It was 2009 when I had an awakening and commenced a journey of self-discovery through yoga and meditation. What was initially meant as a recreational drop-in class to support healthier choices in my life at the time, resulted in a spiritual shift and eventual immersion into not only yoga, but also the art and means of healing the whole-self as an ongoing practice. My journey literally and figuratively took me on the road across the continent where I studied meditation, anatomy and trauma therapy, as well as trained in various yoga disciplines with some of the most revered contemporary teachers in Canada and the U.S. This experiential evolution has shaped my values, informed my perspective and has laid the foundation for the culture and class offerings at Noble Yoga. My desire to change careers and develop this specific business came through a combination of events in my life as a response to work in a space that had the flexibility and the autonomy to contribute to the community to enhance the wellness of individuals in the community and to provide a working environment that encapsulated a value set… something personal. I founded Noble Yoga; a sensory yoga studio committed to the wellness and fitness of our members and guests through a unique set of values, healing modalities and community events. Part of the Noble Yoga ethos is to be a community hub and communal ground for those who are looking for deep healing, personal growth, empowerment through engagement, and support when needed. Building and supporting community is very important to me and by virtue of that the ‘brand’ carries those values. With all the challenging events and factors each of us face during these current times, providing (or receiving) support and insight to a healing process when needed is critical for the our personal and community well being. We are proud members of the Vernon Community and in addition to leading public yoga classes and hosting community events, we support survivors of trauma and addiction through workshops, fundraising and sponsorship. A few examples of this are: 1. We hosted a special trauma informed yin yoga, reiki and meditation event for survivors of sexual trauma to raise money for an organization named ‘U Grow Girl’ that funds female survivors of sexual assault and child abuse allowing them to attend a 5 day retreat that incorporates, education, somatic release techniques, proven ancient holistic healing practice, equine-assisted therapy, and a powerful survivor community; empowering he individual with the tools needed to catapult a healing journey. https://www.ugrowgirl.ca 2. When CMHA clients use their wellness funds to attend our studio, we match their support by donating double the amount of membership access so we can aid their healing and wellness journey. 3. We are use special events (such as our anniversary party) as an opportunity to raise funds to provide yoga and/or yoga education to selected clients of Turning Points Collaborative Society who attend their Addictions Recovery Program. 4. We sponsor a variety of community events by donating a number of 5-class passes (Vernon School District, The Movement Project and Move4Mom, Turning Points, SD22, Okanagan Indian Band, Maven Lane Daycare, and many other organizations, charities and local businesses). 5. Noble fluidly responds to events in the community that have impacted any resident negatively. For example, the evacuees from the previous years wildfires were provided access to the studio without cost during their transitional period so they could have a place of calm and healing to help management the trauma of such an event. We also provided similar support to the individuals affected by the municipal fire that levelled a city block in Vernon at the start of the summer, 2023. 6. Noble participates in the HOPE outreach clothing drive. https://www.hopeokanagan.com 7. We also provide scholarships to individuals facing financial hardship to allow them access to classes at the studio without further struggle. We do this in-house and through other local agencies and organizations.

Why do you think you should win the Premier’s People’s Choice Award?

Noble is a yoga and wellness studio operating in the heart of the downtown in the City of Vernon, BC. The objective was to position Noble in the community not only as a wellness service business with an elevated level of detail to its design and care to its service, but also as a hub for community engagement and responsiveness. The framework and foundation of Noble’s signature classes and workshops are built upon empathy, inclusivity, a sensitivity to trauma and healing, with the studio construction sensitive to the experience of all our guests including those that may have accessibility or other needs. Our programming is offered seven days a week from morning to evening for maximum flexibility. Noble has an incredible faculty of compassionate and knowledgeable teachers guiding a variety of curated classes informed not only by their experiences in various yoga disciplines, but also by their backgrounds that range from nutrition, clinical counselling, kinesiology, competitive athletics, trauma therapy and more. Noble is also paving the way as a ‘sensory’ studio. This means particular classes and workshops can incorporate unique features built into the studio construction that provide the capacity to stimulate or heighten the sensory experience of guests. Some of what we’ve incorporated to enhance the guest sensory and healing experience are: a focus on air quality and purification by way of zoned dual HVAC systems with advanced air filtration; aromatherapy integration to the HVAC system; a zoned audio and video system capable of delivering unique class engagement as well as binaural stimulation; an architectural grade lighting system with extensive control over luminosity and colour temperature; along with passive infra heating for penetrative warmth and healing. Our design language for the studio is unexpected and strikingly beautiful with a colour palette that is intentioned to instill peace and calm. We also offer a beautiful in-house retail boutique to attend to all guest needs to carry on their practice. This includes a selection of clothing, yoga mats and props as well as a variety of cosmetic and household items all sourced from companies with shared social and environment values. Further to this, the studio itself has been constructed by way of a conscientious selection of materials from companies that exhibit a respect to their environmental impact during manufacture, as well as pre and post construction.