Interview with Paul Walker, founder and Managing Director of yogamatters
When you launched Yogamatters launched back in 1996, where did you think you'd be 15 years
down the line?
I have to admit there was no grand plan or strategy - we simply loved yoga and wanted to create a thriving yoga community so we started organizing yoga workshops and running the yoga programme at the local YMCA. Yoga was really starting to take off in north London in the mid 90s, and that meant people needed mats and other yoga supplies, which were hard to find in those days. We simply wanted to provide a service.
Where do you attribute the success of Yogamatters?
Hiring great people and treating them well. Liking our customers and serving them well. And lots of yoga practice.
Any particular highlights or proud achievements that stand out?
So many to choose, but here are a handful:
- Our first website's first order in 1999 and the first time we took a hundred orders in one day in 2006.
- Creating good quality jobs.
- Helping a local community group to convert some wasteland near Yogamatters into a beautiful oasis.
- Visiting our main Indian supplier of cotton goods in Tamil Nadu and discovering that they are a wonderful dedicated team who really care about what they produce - in really decent working conditions, too!
What's been the greatest challenge?
Once the business developed some momentum, I soon realized that there are real advantages in creating steady growth: Better value for customers, a wider range of goods, more rewarding relationships with suppliers, more opportunities for staff. So there have been times when I let my enthusiasm to expand the business cloud my judgment. Thankfully we've emerged from a couple of tough periods stronger than ever.
On a personal level, the toughest thing has been to keep a balance between Yogamatters, family matters and my own practice. I am lucky enough to love my job, and I find it quite easy to focus on work to the detriment of other responsibilities. Thankfully my amazing partner and yogini Sandi helps me find my balance, time and again.
How do you see the next 15 years shaping up?
Hopefully, the next 15 years will start with my belly shaping up! On a serious note, it's a very difficult time to be running a business so we're working harder than ever before to make sure that the 'core muscles' of the business stay fit. We'd like to grow Yogamatters internationally, but ensure we continue to offer outstanding customer service, the best value products and stay passionate about yoga.
