We had the good fortune of connecting with Yara Kamal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yara, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risks can either open big doors or give you a whole new learning. Taking risks played a big part in the success of my life. There was a period were I had to make a pivot to save my business and in order to do so I would be risking it all. But without making a decision and diving deep I wouldn’t have been able to make it all happen.

Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Building Scoria, a brand offering yoga products that are environmentally sustainable, socially giving and creatively inspiring, was a very tough journey. During the years we went from offering only 3 options of yoga mats to now having over 100 skus of widths, styles, sizes, props and more. We also went from having only 1-2 retailers stocking our goods to now also over 100 retailers and yoga studios carrying our goods. I was passionate about art, yoga, social work and the environment which is how I combined all of these aspects into a brand that now communicates the brand culture of “sparking the inner child” Passion definitely fuelled me along the way, and I owe our success to persevering and never giving up even through the hard times. We are excited about what’s to come for our collections and our giving partners.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have a strong love for organizing and booking cabin trips away. Usually with friends we bring together a small group to connect, experience a new space, new nature spots and do all the outdoor or cozy adventures. If we had to stay nearby, I would take my friend to the best waterfall spots in Hamilton, ON for a hike. We would eat some tacos at a nearby Mexican restaurant and take my friend to an Acro yoga jam at the park in the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My sister deserves a big shoutout! She’s usually the first person I call to hear some encouraging bold words and advice when I’m having a hard time with my business. We are both entrepreneurs, yet she is my total opposite. So her advice balances me out. She tends to be very bold, logical and strong which helps my emotional side that sometimes can lack the boundaries I need to run my business. As for a book that I was inspired by, GIRLBOSS got me through some of my business roller coasters.

Website: www.scoriaworld.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/yarakamal

Image Credits
Once Upon a Mat @onceuponamat , Volerra Creative @tammyswier

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