Single mom creates yoga wear business
When Kelly Post had the idea to create a line of comfortable yoga wear and related products, she “worked her yoga booty off” to make it happen, she said.
Despite hurdles — Post is a single mom raising two boys aged 5 and 7, and waited tables for more than a year to earn the funds to start her business — she is now sprinting down the road to entrepreneurial success with her business Peace&OM.
“Right now my company has a fusion of products,” said Post about her merchandise. Lines include a variety of yoga-friendly home-sewn apparel and accessories for women and girls, hand-crafted jewelry and other well-manufactured designer styles.
“In essence, I am a full-blown traveling boutique,” said Post, whose Peace&OM pop-up shop can be found at street fairs, farmers markets, private home parties, and outside wellness-related businesses in Encinitas. Her sales also have a charitable component, and she often donates a percentage of proceeds to nonprofits with which she collaborates.
On Nov. 9, Post produced her first Mini Yogini Fashion Fun Day event. Held at a private residence in Carlsbad, it brought together other entrepreneurs to showcase their products and featured live music by Encinitas local singer/songwriter Luke Williams.
Post staged a fashion show at the event with 33 local girls from ages 4 to 12, dressed head to toe in her yogawear. Local photographer Toby Ogden shot the girls as they walked the runway, pausing at the end to strike classic yoga postures.
“It was so exciting to bring together these local artists, the kids and entrepreneurs,” said Post. Proceeds from a raffle for items donated by event participants will benefit La Hacienda de la Inmaculada, an orphanage in Tijuana.
A native Encinitan, Post has a degree in international business and a background in human resources. She was certified in 2012 to teach yoga by Soul of Yoga in Encinitas. She has been passionate about yoga since she was young and is very involved in the local yoga comm
unity, she said.
Her business concept had been simmering as an idea for a couple of years before it was launched. “I have a business mind and am business-driven, and I also sew,” she said. Bringing these three assets together was the perfect blend for her business. Her lines started with yoga pants and hobo bags, which she still makes, then she added quality merchandise from other manufacturers.
Post can often be found outside the Bloom Natural Health wellness center on Highway 101 in Leucadia, just between Juanita’s Taco Shop and Bird House Grill, and at Leucadia’s Farmers Market. “It’s best to check my Facebook page to see where I’ll be popping up next,” she advised.
Post’s energy, enthusiasm and business mind have inspired others to start their own businesses. “That’s been the best part of this, being able to help others through my advice,” she said. Looking ahead, Post plans to host a workshop through Seaside Spiritual Center in Encinitas to assist others in realizing their business ideas.
Already scheduled is her booth at the Encinitas Fall Festival on Sunday, Nov. 23: Look for her at space #630 in front of Whole Foods on Highway 101. Post will also be a part of Vinyasa Arts’ free Yoga in the Park event in Encinitas at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.