I am delighted to introduce you to Erin Owen, SA VA's Woman of the Month for May 2013. Erin is a friend, colleague, personal coach (to others and yes, to me), and SA VA fanatic. She is a special kind of entrepreneur with a significant history living in the fast lane of project management and executive development until she transformed her life and began her life's work of helping others to transform their lives. Erin's motto for her work is 'Connecting Eastern wisdom to the idea of Western performance.' In my words, from experience, Erin helps people think differently to live deeper more authentic & successful lives through bringing Eastern philosophy to the Western brain cluster.
So this month, I wanted to share what Erin had to say about her life, lifestyle, life's work and I will also share a little about the work that Erin and I did over the last few months that really helped create a new platform in my life. Here's what Erin has to say....
Q: To start with, you have a calming, welcoming presence. Is that something that you always had or that your experience and education in the East has brought to you?
A: I have to credit yoga primarily. It reminds me again and again to slow down, quiet my busy mind, and open my eyes and ears to take in what's really happening around me.
Q: How do you maintain it so consistently?
A: It's not easy with all the competing demands in my life but I make it a priority to consistently practice what helps me to stay grounded, clear headed, and connected to the joy in my life. Basic and simple things like getting to bed early, drinking enough water, breathing fresh air, minimizing sugar and alcohol, looking my husband in the eyes and catching up on our day. And of course practicing yoga!
Q: You have developed a very unique practice of life and career and health coaching that you call performance breakthrough coaching. What is your inspiration and motivation?
A: Seeing client after client have amazing epiphanies about what's truly important, and guiding them to bring their everyday choices and mindset into alignment with their new awareness of what they want their life to be. Then witnessing them get that new job or build their company to a new level or cultivate a new romantic relationship or drop 30 pounds---it's incredibly inspiring and I feel so grateful to do this work and help people transform their lives.
Q: What is the foundation of your philosophy in your own words?
A: I believe that when one person makes one positive change---it creates a ripple effect that influences her whole life, but also carries over to the most important people in her life and her community and ultimately to the planet. That's why I'm especially inspired to work with clients who are mission-driven, who are more conscious about the way they are living and working.
Q: You have a multi-faceted life, going from client meetings, to teaching yoga and meditation-inspired workshops and leading retreats to Bali, to networking, to all that's involved in raising your two young boys. What are your go-to looks and how would you describe your personal style?
A: "Effortless style" -- I want to look good and feel comfortable in my clothes. And they have to be low maintenance because I avoid dry cleaning and ironing. Sometimes I spontaneously practice yoga in the middle of the day still dressed in my work clothes, so clearly they can't be too fussy!
Q: It seems I have to ask every Woman of the Month this question - how do you keep your life in balance with all of your obligations?
A: I've allowed myself to let go of the "shoulds" and I've created my business to fit into and support my life (rather than my life fitting around my business). I live by the motto that "less is more" and do my best to say yes only to what supports my vision.
I also believe there is no such thing as perfect work-life balance---it's really about dynamically re-balancing and re-integrating and evolving what works.
Q: You are launching a new business incubator for entrepreneurs that is really exciting - tell me about it.
A: It is exciting, isn't it? I can't stop talking about it!
So many people have inspired ideas to do really good work in the world, but they feel stuck. They feel they don't have the time or the support or the courage or the resources to move forward. And I want to change that.
Maybe they feel stuck in a job they don't love and are ready to finally follow a long-held dream; others have hit a plateau in their existing business and want to take it to the next level; and most of us do best with outside structure, guidance, and support and want the positive momentum and inspiration this provides to get their idea "to market" sooner and in a more fun way.
So, this June I'm launching the first wave of a truly unique mastermind incubator for people with a big idea they want to bring into the world. Drawing on Eastern philosophy, along with my two decades experience and the research & expertise of some of the top thinkers in what makes entrepreneurs and leaders most effective, I've created a powerful curriculum and program.
If any one in your SA VA community wants to learn more---or share this information with a mission-driven entrepreneur they know---all the details are on the website at www.YourPerformanceBreakthrough.com/Spring-Into-Being/. The application period for this wave is open May 1st through 31st, and we kick off in early June with a full-day in-person retreat on June 22nd here in Philadelphia. So exciting!
Q: What is an example of personal success for you?
A: I equate personal success with a perfect day in which I worked in a focused and productive way for 3-4 hours, got in a solid yoga practice, cooked a healthy meal for my family, and felt truly present and patient in my interactions with my children.
Q: Favorite ways to spend your free time with your family and - if you manage to get any of your own free time - what do you like to do?
A: The best way we like to have family free time these days is totally unstructured play time. We love to take picnic stuff and just hang out in our neighborhood park with our kids and other families.
For my own free time, I try to block out one full Friday a month to "do nothing", in which I like to just let the day unfold in a totally spontaneous way. Maybe I read a book on a blanket in the park, or go get my nails done, or text a friend last minute to see if she wants to meet for lunch or tea, or go check out a new yoga studio.
Q: Of course, you are a customer and fan of SA VA. What do you love about it?
A: I love that the clothes are beautiful, stylish, comfortable, make me look good (oh yah!) and support my values for treating people and the planet well. Shopping at SA VA is in line with my values to buy local whenever I can and support sustainable brands.
Erin Owen can be reached at
cell: 215-771-8968
You can download a chapter of her book Refuel, Recharge, and Re-energize or sign-up for her "Stress Detox" audio course at www.yourperformancebreakthrough.com
