After experiencing the “big city” life in Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary and Dallas, Lisa Blanchard recently returned to her hometown of Cornwall – and she couldn’t be happier.
“I really missed home,” said Ms. Blanchard. “Cornwall has really changed, and I think it’s poised to grow.”
Along with reconnecting with her roots, Ms. Blanchard is using her return to Cornwall to embark on a new business venture that has been a personal dream of hers for over 10 years.
Ms. Blanchard has opened Spirit Tree Yoga, a new Yoga, massage and natural wellness studio dedicated to helping people achieve personal wellness and a peaceful state of mind. The studio is located at 117 Eleventh Street West (on the side of the building).
It was a pair of personal experiences that prompted Ms. Blanchard to make the jump into business. She was dealt a big blow earlier this year when her former husband Ray Seguin passed away from cancer at the age of 41. Ms. Blanchard also encountered her own personal health issues.
“That was a wake-up call,” she recalled. “I really wanted to take care of me.”
Through the studio, Ms. Blanchard will be offering a wide variety of Yoga classes for all ages, including toddlers, children and seniors. Starting next year, Spirit Tree Yoga will also be offering a number of workshops including a beginners’ workshop where participants will learn the basics of Yoga.
In addition, Ms. Blanchard plans to introduce a Karma Yoga program where participants will be able to make a voluntary financial contribution to participate, with proceeds going to the Agape Centre.
“I want to give back to the community,” said Ms. Blanchard, who has been practicing Yoga for over 15 years in addition to being a member of the Canadian Federation of Orthotherapists.
In the lead-up to launching her business, Ms. Blanchard turned to a number of community resources for assistance, including the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre.
“Lisa has a passion and dedication for her line of work, and that is a key ingredient for success for any entrepreneur,” said Candy Pollard, Business Consultant with the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre. “Lisa also wants to give back to the community through her business, and that is great news for the entire community. We wish her all the best.”
For additional information on Spirit Tree Yoga, visit www.SpiritTreeYoga.net or call (613) 330-4494.
About the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre
The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre helps small business owners and entrepreneurs succeed in Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry & Akwesasne by offering information, tools and support during the start-up and growth stages of business operation. The Centre also offers seminars, workshops and networking opportunities that are designed with the entrepreneur in mind. Please visit www.BusinessEnterpriseCentre.ca for more information.
The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre is operated by Cornwall Economic Development in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation.
Entrepreneurs in Action
Entrepreneurs in Action is a new initiative by the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre to profile small to medium-sized businesses that have recently opened in Cornwall, S.D. & G. and Akwesasne. To see all of the current profiles, please visit the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre website.
