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July 17, 2015 40 Under Forty 2015

Natasha Roggi

Natasha Roggi

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).

Life's Journey:

During my off time, I am most passionate about… Seeing the world and enjoying life with my family

What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Na Pali Coast State Park in Kaua'I, Hawaii

Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? I aspire to climb the Seven Summits of the world

Favorite Connecticut Destination: Litchfield Hills

Read the profiles of the other 40 Under Forty for 2015 Winners

Jacquelyn Santiago, COMPASS Youth Collaborative

Kathryn Shafer, Partnership for Strong Communities

Anthony Shannon, Shipman & Goodwin

Steven C. Taylor, Webster Bank

Joseph Turbessi, Finished: What's Next?

Rebecca Wareing, Management Search

Robert Zanlungo, Primary Residential Mortgage

Mark S. Zatyrka, American Homecare Federation

Julianne Avallone, Ford & Paulekas

Stephanie Higgins Bealing, Replacement Lens Express

David Bittner, St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center

Anthony Byers, Hartford Youth Scholars

Michael Byrne, UBS Global Asset Management

Megan Carannante, Pullman & Comley

Rebekah Castagno, The Village for Families & Children

Aidan Charles, Charles Coaching & Nutrition Services

Dan Clark, Clark Insurance

Endia DeCordova, Manchester Community College

Jocelyn DeMaio, The Hartford Financial Services Group

Stephanie Dumont, Comcast

David Elder, ConnDOT

Stephen Frenkel, Cigna

Ryan T. Gardner, Fiduciary Investment Advisors

Jacquelynn Garofano, United Technologies Research Center

Tara Gerber, Travelers Championship

Daniel Gottfried, Hinckley Allen

Jaclynn Hart, Hartford Performs

Jennyfer Holmes, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Elizabeth Johnson, Post University

Jonathan Kaplan, Pullman & Comley

Alex Koenigsberg, Creative Living Community of CT

Melissa Lambright, SIGHT Eye Health

Lori-Ann Marchese, Body Construct

Michelle McDade, The Hospital of Central Connecticut

Kristina Miner, Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance

Karraine Moody, Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity

Quentin Phipps, Charter Schools for Excellence

Kathryn Redican, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Todd R. Regan, Robinson+Cole

Check out the Digital Edition of the 40 Under Forty for 2015

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