When I first signed the lease for our St Marys studio in 2017, I had no idea what I was doing. The real estate agent looked at me and said, “Beg for forgiveness, not permission.” That mantra has carried me through every step of business — including asking for something simple yet powerful: Google reviews. They make us easier to find, give new students confidence, and truly mean the world to small businesses like ours.

A chance encounter at Bunnings reminded me that even one yoga class can change someone’s life — and that not everyone will fall in love with what you create. Over eight years of building Nin Yoga, I’ve learned that both the people who stay and the ones who leave shape the community. And that’s more than okay.

Social media is borrowed land. Algorithms change, platforms shift, and content disappears in 24 hours. A website is your home base — a place you own, control, and can update anytime. In this post, Annika shares why every business (even the smallest) needs a website, how affordable and simple it can be, and why learning to manage it yourself is one of the best skills you’ll ever invest in.

Three years into business and already feeling impatient? You’re not alone. In this post, Annika reflects on a chat with a fellow Pilates teacher, why success is a slow burn, and what it really takes to stay the course. Spoiler: consistency isn’t sexy, but it’s powerful — and it’s how strong businesses are built.

After eight years of running studios and building Kaya Academy, I’ve learned that no logo, colour palette, or Instagram aesthetic can compete with genuine connection. Community is what carried Nin Yoga through lockdowns, burnout, and growth — and it’s still the strongest brand strategy I know. In this post, I share why connection beats trends every time, plus practical tips for building your own loyal community.

Every business owner needs one thing they refuse to compromise on — a non-negotiable. It’s the anchor that holds steady when everything else feels chaotic. In this post, I share how I discovered mine, the mistakes I made ignoring it, and why defining yours might be the single best move you make for your business and your life.

This is where I share stories — the wins, the failures, the lessons, and the messy in-between. Most people know me as the founder of Nin Yoga and Kaya Academy, but here I write beyond business: family, mental health, travel, new hobbies, and the thoughts that keep me curious.

It’s not polished. It’s honest. And my hope is that somewhere in these words, you’ll find a spark for your own journey too.

The older I get, the more I realise: most of my life is just making decisions — from what tea to order to whether or not to open another studio. Some choices are hats (easy to swap), some are haircuts (they’ll grow out), and a few are tattoos (permanent, so think it through). This post is about learning to experiment, fail, and keep moving — because that’s where the magic really happens.

Eight years of savasanas, spreadsheets, sweaty hugs, and showing up — even when it got hard. From our first classes at Colyton Neighbourhood Centre to now running two studios and a teacher training academy, we’ve learned a lot along the way. Here are eight lessons from eight years of business — the messy, the magical, and everything in between.