We’re excited to reconnect with some amazing Female Founders from our past programs and share their inspiring journeys. Crystal McGregor, Program Manager of Tech Ready Women, interviews Jennifer Paynter, a Melbourne alumna and founder of 108 Yoga Road. Jennifer has developed a yoga strap that secures your mat to the outside of a backpack for easy transport. After years of development and testing, the strap is now available for pre-order on her website.

The Birth of 108 Yoga Road: A Practical Solution

Jen’s journey started with a common struggle: balancing everyday demands with personal wellness. As a yoga teacher, she often heard, "I’m not flexible; I could never do yoga." To make yoga more accessible, she needed a solution that worked both in practice and preparation.

While attending yoga training, Jen struggled with carrying her mat, books, and journals. As a sustainability advocate who cycles instead of drives, she sought a way to carry everything efficiently. After several failed attempts, she created a versatile yoga strap that not only made carrying her mat easier but also doubled as a stretching tool. “It was purely self-centred, like all good designs,” Jen joked. What began as a personal fix has evolved into a product that helps others overcome their own physical limitations.

Customisation and Sustainability: The Heart of 108 Yoga Road

Jen didn’t stop at making a functional product. She also introduced customisation options for her yoga straps, making them popular gifts and practical tools for yoga studios.

True to her values, all her products are made locally in Australia, with a strong focus on sustainability. By partnering with manufacturers in regional Victoria, Jen supports local businesses while keeping her environmental footprint low. This commitment recently earned her a spot as a finalist in the Clean and Conscious Award, which she proudly mentioned during the interview.

The Tech Ready Women Bootcamp: Fuel for Growth

Jen’s business took a leap forward when she joined the Tech Ready Women bootcamp in Melbourne. Although the program typically attracts tech startups, Jen found it incredibly valuable for her physical product business. The bootcamp didn’t just cover the technical side of running a business; it also delved into mindset, personal impact, and the unique challenges women face in entrepreneurship.

This experience helped Jen refine her value proposition and explore new directions for her business. She’s now expanding her product line to include online tutorials and courses, catering to those who might shy away from traditional yoga classes but still need the benefits of stretching and flexibility exercises.

Onward to London: Broadening Horizons

Jen’s innovative yoga strap and commitment to sustainability are opening up new opportunities. She’s getting ready to showcase her product at the London Yoga Show, a major event that could put 108 Yoga Road on the global map. Back in Melbourne, Jen is also involved in a TV show on Channel 31, where she interviews yoga teachers and breaks down yoga movements, making the practice more approachable for everyone.

A Call to the Community

As 108 Yoga Road continues to grow, Jen is keen to hear from the community. Whether it’s attending her classes, offering feedback, or sharing personal challenges that yoga might help address, Jen is eager to engage and support others in moving more freely in their daily lives.

You can reach her at [email protected]. Jen’s journey is a shining example of how personal challenges can spark innovative solutions. With her passion for yoga, commitment to sustainability, and readiness to learn and adapt, Jen is not only improving her own life but also helping others find balance and wellness every day.

You can reach out to Jennifer via her LinkedIn or website!