Conversations with Jessica Laird

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Laird.  

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the Founder and Owner of Honey Bee Sweat, LLC, a virtual barre and wellness studio. My team and I are artists on the mat with unpredictable flows keeping your mind in the present moment as you experience the physical and energetic movement happening in your space.

I have a passion for teaching and writing, creating wellness resources with a fresh perspective and down-to-earth attitude. 

I was a Barre instructor first, and that will always hold a special place in my heart. This has lead me to teach Power Yoga in a group setting (hot yoga, anyone?) at a local studio in Fayetteville, NC. You can still find me teaching private one on one classes there Monday – Thursday morning and group classes every once in a while. 

I specialize in Adaptive and Therapeutic Yoga and have a bleeding heart for our military service men and women. As a military spouse currently stationed at Ft. Bragg, I know and see every day how much yoga and mindfulness modalities serve them so they can turn around and fulfill their dreams of serving this country. 

When I do step away from teaching virtually with HBS, I work with the Operation Red Wings Foundation serving combat veterans healing and dealing with invisible wounds. I wouldn’t trade this for the world. The connection, the stories, and the healing that takes place within those walls is awe-inspiring and one I am proud to be a part of. 

I am a continuing education provider with Yoga Alliance teaching new yoga instructors how to serve their community. I also do Virtual Assistant work, and brand builds for them to carry the mission further, a true creative passion. 

I have a wide range of skills and emotional intelligence to serve a wide range of demographics. Yoga is for everybody, no matter where they’re at in their life. I’m here to support their first step and beyond. 

Hi Jessica, tell us a little bit more about your story.
I was sixteen and pregnant. I delivered my first baby girl at seventeen years old. I would’ve been a Junior in High School when she was born. With an adamant heart, I would be done with school before she was born, I transferred to a self-pace school and graduated a year early. I walked the stage pregnant. 

I did not marry and began my role as a single mom as a teen. I went to college for three semesters, and as you can imagine, I was being pulled in so many directions something had to give. It was college. I quit. 

I was dating and married at twenty years old. Shortly after, I was pregnant with my second daughter. The relationship was beyond rough with more emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental life-altering experiences I prefer not to reflect on. 

With my faith, I stayed. For my kids, I stayed. One day I realized I had a duty to my young girls to set an example of possibility in their life, a standard, boundaries, and a large sense of self-respect. I divorced at twenty-five. 

Then, I found movement. 

This was one of the hardest times in my life. I was a single Mom again, going through a divorce, being overworked and underpaid, learning to navigate everything at once as a young adult, desperately needing an escape, and knowing I was meant for more. 

I finally got up and started moving my body. 

I started walking and slowly working out more consistently. I had always been an athlete before I became a mom, so I think naturally, my body lead me back. Things became more clear. I was able to navigate my thoughts, breathe through the hard conversations, and make drastic changes in my life. 

I have now found myself married to the man of my dreams with our three kids. I am blessed to be a Bonus Mom to our youngest child, our boy. I have found myself as an active health and wellness advocate, leading yoga teacher trainings, teaching more than 2000 hours of one on one in person private sessions, owning and operating this beautiful virtual barre + wellness studio with amazing people, and continually seeking more knowledge to empower our community and reconnect the lines of communication between our brains and our bodies. 

I believe with my whole heart, people have the power they need to heal physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I also believe that movement is the seed of growth. It was the catalyst in my story, and I am honored to help people use it as a tool to support them where they are in their story right now. 

Their well-being is the reason we’re here. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Building a business is no easy thing when you are committed to doing it DIY style. I took a few online courses in tech at night after my traditional job to understand what would be required of me and if it was something I could manage with the intention of saving money without having to hire a team. It was! 

I implemented all I learned and got everything up and running. I had already been working in the Physical Therapy industry for many years and held a marketing position that taught me valuable skills in acquisition, retention, and customer satisfaction. It also gave me a diverse background in social media management. I was able to harness these skills and apply them to Honey Bee Sweat, LLC and still lean on them today. 

The idea and vision for Honey Bee Sweat Virtual Barre + Wellness Studio had started as just that on January 1, 2018. I was taking my time and planned a launch date for June 1, 2020. 

As we all know, Covid-19 had other plans. When everything shut down in March of 2020, three months before my launch date, fitness and yoga instructors, studio owners, and gyms around the world all went virtual. I was mentally and emotionally crushed. I felt so defeated knowing my big idea was everyone else’s new trend. 

With an optimistic attitude, I waited until launch date and stayed the course. The first few months were great as many people were anticipating the launch … and then things went stagnant. 

Navigating the fluctuating market without the unlimited amounts of marketing dollars was no easy feat. It was a rough few years, but I remained loyal to our mission. What I knew is people needed this more than they ever have. I pressed on. 

January 1, 2022, I decided to hire additional instructors to bring a more diverse range of holistic modalities to our community. It was such a beautiful decision and one that I am forever thankful for. I still have them on staff and we are still holding strong to our mission. 

The journey is never linear, and for us, that is okay. There will always be challenges and obstacles. How we navigate those things will be a beacon of light for all those who come after us. 

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Our industry, the fitness community, is on trend per many social resources to drop hustle and embrace alignment. 

More and more people are looking for low-impact movement and intentional weight training. The previous notion of fast and hard is slowly being kicked out for more mind-body medicine and more internal connection with the self. 

Cardio and fast twitch muscle movement absolutely still have their place. However, there will be no more rushing from one exercise to the next and leaving the gym ready to tackle the day, not even checking in to see how your mind and body are responding. 

Now and in the coming years, it’s all about self-discovery, learning who you are through movement, how to understand the subtle communication of the body, and how to unveil what your body truly needs in the present moment so it can level up at a capacity that has been untapped for years. 

The future is bright, and we’re here for it. 

Pricing:

• $10.99 on-demand monthly membership to our virtual studio
• $8.00 for any live class (members join for free)
• $75 for an initial consultation virtually for private clients
• $45 for every virtual private session after that

Contact Info:

• Website: www.honeybeesweat.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeybeesweat/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoneyBeeSweat
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-laird-1a735968/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Honey_Bee_Sweat
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCykvAG7MqXkh3uEIs3iU4ag
• Other: www.itsjessicalaird.com 

Image Credits
Kristin Guynn
Corry Frazier