Rising StarJennifer Oechsner of Warrior Flow is Your Health and Fitness Renaissance Woman
A holistic nutritionist, yoga instructor, martial arts coach, AND personal trainer? Many people can claim one of these titles, but Jennifer Oechsner claims them all. Her company, Warrior Flow, combines the notion of being strong in who you are, while tapping into what you need to become the best version of yourself.
Here’s more from Jennifer:
The spark that inspired the birth of your concept: I am inspired to help people become stronger and more confident. I have been a martial artist for many years and suffered injuries along the way that led me to yoga. I am also an avid traveler. When I began my yoga practice, I saw a way to combine my passions for empowerment, yoga, and travel into a career.
The problem it solves: I help people see that they are more capable and stronger than they think they are. In so doing, I help them infuse confidence into all aspects of their lives.
How you came up with the name: “Warrior” has two meanings for me. It is influenced by my martial arts path, but also “warrior” in the Buddhist sense means to be strong in who you are. “Flow” is about finding your internal balance.
How you differentiate from your competition: I offer a multi-modality/holistic approach to health and wellness. As a nutritionist, yoga teacher, martial artist, and personal trainer, I draw from various areas of expertise when coaching my clients.
The best thing about being an entrepreneur: The ability to be creative and make my own guidelines that can shift and evolve over time. I also enjoy the ability to make my own schedule and not be tied to one physical location all day.
The biggest surprise of your entrepreneurial experience to date: How challenging and integral it is to market your company. Word of mouth isn’t enough, no matter how good you are at your job. Without good marketing, I cannot succeed and grow.
Your biggest success: Leading two international yoga retreats. Making this happen was part of what inspired me to become a yoga teacher. There is a huge sense of accomplishment bringing this dream to fruition.
What keeps you up at night: Client retention, cash flow, and pondering how I can continue to make what I offer unique and interesting.
The best advice you’ve received: If you aren’t failing you aren’t trying hard enough. “Perfect failure” is part of growing a business. Also, be authentic. People are more drawn to authenticity than someone who is or appears to be infallible. This advice comes from Laura Cornell, the head of my business coaching program.
Your #1 piece of advice for a budding entrepreneur: Set concrete, incremental goals. Pursue them with grit. Asses your failures and learn from them, then pick yourself up and try again.
The #1 book you would recommend for a budding entrepreneur: Grit by Angela Duckworth
The song that best describes your entrepreneurial journey: Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
What wild success looks like: Warrior Flow will be a brick and mortar business offering kickboxing, yoga, and guided meditation. I will lead two international retreats per year that include philanthropic missions. Warrior Flow will have a nonprofit arm dedicated to these missions. I will also have a clothing line.
Your favorite local business: Society Nine. Society Nine makes boxing gloves and gear designed for women. The owner, Lynn, has drive, vision and inspiring tenacity. Her message that her products are for “the fight in every woman” really speaks to me.
What did you wanted to be when you grew up: When I was a young child, I wanted to be a dancer and and cooker (as I used to call it). As a yoga teacher and nutritionist, I guess I got pretty close. I do enjoy cooking, but I just do it for my friends.
How Oregon has helped you and the challenges it has posed: I moved to Portland in 2010 to change careers and start a new life. I love how Portland is so open to new ideas and ways of doing things, and how it seems to truly embrace the entrepreneurial spirit. The challenge I face here is what I perceive as a saturated market in the health and fitness field.
Fun facts: My first kickboxing competition was in Japan and my prize for winning was two cow tongues. You’ll have to contact me to learn the story behind that. I have visited 16 countries and plan to add two to that list in 2018.
