Client Spotlight
Michelle Sarchiapone & The Peoples Yoga
Michelle Sarchiapone had a dream, a dream in which she and her friends could afford to practice yoga. From that dream and desire for a low-cost place to practice, The Peoples Yoga was born. Since 2008 The Peoples Yoga has done just that, bringing affordable yoga to NE Portland. Michelle's vision was a success and the student demand soon outgrew the original studio on NE Alberta Street. In 2009, needing to expand, The Peoples Yoga partnered with local micro-lender MercyCorps NW to gain the financing needed to support the build out costs of the new space on NE 30th & Killingsworth St.
Fast forward to present day and Michelle is at it again...she's taking The Peoples Yoga mission and vision a bit north, to St. Johns. This March will see the grand opening of The Peoples Yoga North where the same great teachers and low-cost model will be introduced to a wonderful location in the St. Johns Neighborhood. Again, with some assistance from MercyCorps NW, Michelle is able to retain her low-cost model and open yoga access for all.
Since 2009 Michelle has been working with the PSU Business Outreach Program where she has received business advising across many business disciplines and matters. From working one-on-one with BOP Business Advisor, Leslie Croghan to the QuickBooks accounting software training from our Accounting Interns. Michelle has also had the opportunity to work with an undergraduate student consulting team through the PSU Capstone program. The student team met with Michelle over the course of six months to better understand her business model and create a comprehensive business plan for the NE location, complete with in-depth market research to better understand and serve the Peoples customer base. Michelle has also greatly benefited from PSU BOP's legal partnership with Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP as she expands her business.
Learning to be a small business owner is a challenge but with the support of the PSU Business Outreach Program, Michelle is excelling! Her hard work and dedication to the mission of affordable yoga for all is taking off. Kudos Michelle! We look forward to the second The Peoples Yoga North location in St. Johns.
About: The Peoples Yoga is a unique low-cost community-oriented yoga studio located in the lovely Alberta Arts neighborhood. We were established as a direct response to members of our community who feel yoga is financially out of their reach but who wish to be included in the many and varied healing benefits yoga has to offer. Our purpose is to provide classes, workshops and trainings that are accessible to all regardless of economic barriers. Offering over 30 yoga classes per week, with styles ranging from beginner to advanced, we hope to foster a diverse, non-dogmatic, warm and encouraging environment free of competition and expectations to fit within the commercial mold.
Grand Opening: Join Michelle on Sunday, March 13th for Grand Opening festivities at the new St. Johns location. Classes begin on Monday, March 14th. 7334 N Chicago Ave.
The Peoples Yoga | NE: 3016 NE Killingsworth St. | St. Johns: 7334 N Chicago Ave.| 503-877-YOGI (9644) | thepeoplesyoga.org |