We share entrepreneurial stories to inspire great ideas...
Carrie Lehtonen
I’m an entrepreneur and storyteller. I earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and spent over 18 years working in Human Resources. After surviving a heart attack, I attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a Holistic Health Practitioner. I also trained to become a Registered Yoga Teacher and Educator and started my own business, Firefly Community LLC. I published my first book, Pawsitive Perspectives, in 2024.
Connect with Carrie here…
Health Coach & Yoga Teacher, Carrie Lehtonen
- Contributed By: Carrie Lehtonen
Tell us a little something about your business...
At Firefly Community, we want you to ignite your inner light so that you can thrive and shine at your brightest. Firefly provides services and events for individuals and groups. We lead yoga and wellness retreats around the world to help you tap into your passion and purpose. Firefly provides a supportive community and resources, such as a holistic wellness coaching program and group and private yoga classes, so you can thrive when you return home. Firefly serves the corporate community by offering onsite and virtual yoga classes and workshops on nutrition, mindfulness, and stress management. I published my first book, Pawsitive Perspectives, in 2024.
When was your lightbulb moment?
I got my wake-up call at 31 years old when I survived a heart attack. At the time, I was working hard climbing the corporate ladder in a stressful Human Resources job that didn’t inspire me. Even though I was in good physical shape as a triathlete, I felt disconnected from myself. I was stressed out and unsure of what I really wanted in life. My near-death experience opened my eyes to the fact that I needed to change.
After learning that heart disease is the #1 killer of all Americans and 80% preventable with lifestyle changes, I realized too many people needlessly die from heart disease. I wanted to help others start leading healthier and happier lives. I embarked on a long journey that included education in nutrition and life-coaching methods to become a holistic health practitioner and training to become a yoga teacher. In 2018, I left my corporate job to focus full-time on operating Firefly Community so that I could reach more people and help them connect with themselves, others, nature, and food.
What are your three words of advice?
The three qualities that have supported me the most in my journey as an entrepreneur are determination, curiosity, and a love of learning. I’m a self-motivated person who is good at setting goals and breaking them down into actionable steps. I’ve had setbacks in my career and life, but I keep moving forward.
I have a natural curiosity for the world around me. I like to travel to new places and learn about people and cultures. A component of Firefly’s retreats is getting acquainted with the place that we’re visiting.
I love learning new things and am constantly striving to be and do better and expand my knowledge. I believe that when we have an open mind and heart, it leads to greater possibilities. Approaching life with a beginner’s mind, letting go of preconceived notions and ideas of how things are supposed to be, allows us to experience the world in a new way.
Three words of advice...
Determination, Curiosity, and Love of Learning
I’m an entrepreneur and storyteller. I earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and spent over 18 years working in Human Resources. After surviving a heart attack, I attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a Holistic Health Practitioner. I also trained to become a Registered Yoga Teacher and Educator and started my own business, Firefly Community LLC. I published my first book, Pawsitive Perspectives, in 2024.
Connect with Carrie here…
“May your legacy create a footprint of success for the next person who steps into your shoes”
