What does your business do?
We hold public yoga classes for teens and adults, 7 days a week.
What is “super” about your business? Why is it special?
Everyone who comes into Ahimsa feels acknowledged and cared for. The people are what make my business super and special – everyone is kind, caring, and loving. Everyone is working on bettering themselves.
Tell us a bit about yourself…
I have a strange situation – I opened Ahimsa 6 years ago and moved to California 3 years ago. I hired my dad, Chuck, as a manager and set up the business so I didn’t need to go in every day. Now, I work from home on Ahimsa every day. I go back about 1-2x/month to make some changes. After I moved, my business actually grew. I have a much better life/work balance. A lot of people think that’s strange, but I’m still working very hard on Ahimsa and things are going just fine. However, I really miss being a bigger part of the community and seeing everyone. When I’m not working, I’m taking yoga classes, hiking, hanging out with my friends, my boyfriend, and my boyfriend’s pitbull Bentley.
If you could pick a superpower, what would it be?
I’d love the ability to travel at light speed.
Why did you choose to invest in our community?
I grew up in Oak Park on the 200 block of South Harvey. I went to Beye, Julian, and OPRF. After college, I moved home to find a finance job in Chicago, but didn’t get one, so I started on achieving my dream of opening a yoga studio. I thought Oak Park needed something new.
What local organizations have you been able to support in the past?
We always donate yoga to local organizations and charities. We’ve partnered with the library, the Sugar Beet Co-Op, Moss Modern Flowers, White Lotus Chiropractic, Whole Foods, and we’ve been a Chamber member. We’re rolling out a coupon book for our members to use to visit local businesses.
What’s the weirdest thing you sell or offer? Or have there been any odd customer requests?
We have some pretty interesting workshops and events like ecstatic dance and gong baths!
Name three of your favorite local businesses (besides yourself, of course!)
White Lotus Chiropractic, Gem Jewelry Boutique, Moss Modern Flowers
Visit Kelly Merydith at Ahimsa Yoga Studio
441 South Blvd. in Oak Park
Small Business Super Heroes is a partnership between the Oak Park – River Forest Chamber of Commerce and Wednesday Journal’s www.oakpark.com.
This Super Hero profile was created on September 12, 2017
