Natasha Roggi

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Age: 32

Title: Owner & Director

Company: Hartford Sweat LLC, Bikram Yoga Downtown Hartford

Location: Hartford

Hometown: Hartford

College: University of Connecticut

Bio

Natasha Roggi prides herself in creating an exciting, energetic space where people from all over Greater Hartford come to practice Bikram Yoga, transform their lives and be among friends. Under her leadership, Bikram Yoga Downtown Hartford has become a unique place. From beautiful, spa-like amenities to award-winning class instruction and customer service that has landed the studio in the “Best of Hartford” rankings in Hartford Magazine every year since opening in 2012.

Roggi's team serves up a healthy dose of yoga and vitality in the Capital City. With her passion for fitness combined with her love for entrepreneurship, Roggi continues to grow her business while giving back to the community. Since 2012, the studio has hosted dozens of local nonprofit organizations for their Sunday Funday series, where 100 percent of the proceeds for these donation-based classes benefit the charity-of-the-week. After three years, Bikram Yoga Downtown Hartford has given thousands of dollars, school supplies and food.

Roggi was named the U.S. Small Business Administration's Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Connecticut for 2015. She lives in Hartford with her husband.

Q&A

If you gave the next commencement speech at your alma mater, what would the message be? In my eyes, the most important message that I can send to the aspiring entrepreneurs out there is, 'Go For It.'

Nike didn't create a winning campaign based on 'Wait til tomorrow.' It's called 'Just Do It!' Don't hesitate on your dreams. Don't sit around on the sidelines, working a mediocre job (which may pay the bills quite nicely but does not 'fill your cup' in any way). The only regret you'll have is missing out on the life you could have created for yourself but were afraid to try. Let me just say that nobody ever played into a big life by watching from the comfort of the stands. Life happens on the court.

And just in case this was starting to creep into your mind, I'm going to say it. Listen very carefully. You are not a failure just because your plan didn't go according to the way you envisioned it. Playing big means going all out with 100 percent of everything you've got and absolutely no attachment to the way it looks in the end.

If you could have four traveling companions (alive or dead, real or fictional) throughout your life's journey, who would you pick? My four traveling companions would be Ernest Hemingway, Anthony Bourdain, Carmen Sandiego and Mr. Scott (from Star Trek…for his teleportation abilities).