A Good Conversation: Chrissy Carter, H(OM)E®
There is simply nothing we love more than a creative who doesn’t put themselves in a box; and Chrissy Carter of H(OM)E® is exactly that.
A multi-hyphenate creative, Chrissy is so many things and does them all really well. Most notably, she’s a yoga educator, teacher and expert for the past twenty years, having collaborated with THE WELL, Blackberry Farm and Parachute Home to name a few. She’s also a featured teacher on Meditation Studio app, was previously a guest faculty member at Columbia University as part of their yoga elective in the physical therapy program, has starred in Gaiam DVDs, led large-scale yoga events at Bryant Park and Wanderlust NYC, has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Live Happy Magazine, and the cover of Yoga Journal, and has worked with notable corporate clients to instill wellness tools (to top it all off, she makes a wonderful coffee and tea companion as my neighbor and friend). Chrissy practices mindful living through all that she does: yoga, food, style, and simply being; all creatively and beautifully expressed through her online platform H(OM)E®, which provides endless ideas, tools and inspiration for her community to do so, too.
What I love about H(OM)E®’s online yoga membership is that it’s the perfect combination of interactive in-person classes with the convenience of at-home practice. There’s also an extensive library of over 400 recordings for on-demand practice. I recently attended one of Chrissy’s pop-up classes at Homeward Collective in Old Lyme. It was a packed room and a transformative experience that left me in a euphoric, floating state for the remainder of the day. We’re excited to share more with you about Chrissy and H(OM)E® today- read below for our interview!
Introduce us to your brand & the inspiration behind creating it!
H(OM)E® is a lifestyle brand that inspires deeper meaning in our lives through the practice of yoga. My work focuses on sharing the practice, both on and off the mat. At H(OM)E®, I teach virtual yoga classes where my community comes together to practice live and on demand. I also share musings on all things home, from cooking and entertaining to floral design and decorating, because, for me, it’s all yoga. This is the inspiration behind H(OM)E® — to see life as a practice and to remember that everything we’re looking for is already within us. We are h(om)e®!
Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey. How did you get started?
I worked on Wall Street as an Equities Sales Trader right out of college. It was the *right* job but it wasn’t right for me. I started practicing yoga and felt like I had finally come home. It was actually the practice of yoga that empowered me to quit my job and teach, a decision that shocked even me because quitting a job on Wall Street to be a yoga teacher seemed like a pretty crazy move! It’s been over two decades and I can’t believe where my path has taken me. I love exploring how my creative passions express the larger meaning of yoga — the process of becoming that happens when we pour our heart into what we love. The entrepreneurial journey is hard, but so rewarding. I think it’s a real gift to not just do what you love to do, but to feel like your path continues to push you into the best parts of yourself.
What have been some of the biggest roadblocks you’ve faced prior to getting to this current point?
One of my biggest roadblocks has probably been myself. I’ve had to work through my perfectionism (still working!) because it sometimes holds me back from executing my goals. Another learning curve has been learning how to manage myself. As a creative, I’m much happier when I’m in the throes of the creative process and not sitting at my computer transforming my creativity into an offering I can share. I’ve had to figure out systems and boundaries that encourage me to do the things I don’t really want to do. Ironically, this is yoga — embracing all parts of ourselves and recognizing that our weaknesses are also our greatest strengths. I’m grateful to have family, friends, and mentors who believe in me and my vision.
What’s something you’re proud of achieving when it comes to your business?
I’m really proud of building a business that doesn’t put my creativity in a box. For a long time, I thought I could only be one thing. When I quit Wall Street to pursue teaching, I jumped from one box to another. I strived to fit into the mold of what I thought a yoga teacher *should* be only to realize I was pretending to be something I wasn’t. H(OM)E® actually started as a blog where I could express my creative passions and just be myself. I wrote about entertaining, cooking, arranging flowers, photography, style, and design and it felt like I was able to integrate all the many parts of myself. My business has empowered me to uncheck the box and celebrate my creativity. I love that I can be a multi-hyphenate and explore my passions through my work.
Could you share who has been the most impactful person in your life and why?
My mother has influenced and inspired me in so many ways throughout my life. When I was little, I would watch her creative process, from making art and decorating our home, to cooking and entertaining. She taught me the art of making a home and instilled in me the value of good taste. She took me to every garage sale, flea market, antique store, and second-hand shop and I learned to train my eye for the things that felt special. My mom can walk into a space and immediately see potential, and I’m grateful she passed her gift on to me. Whether I’m repurposing an antique treasure or tapping into my students’ potential, the ability to *see* the sparks of possibility is something I learned from her.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start their entrepreneurial journey?
Follow your passion and stay in your lane. It’s so easy to feel pressured into doing what everyone else is doing, but the truth is, there’s only one you. Success comes when you follow your own path.
What are your thoughts on work-life balance? What does that look like to you?
I see balance as a verb, something we have to actively participate in, not a destination we arrive at by doing all the *right* things. Also, I’m not sure work-life balance even exists anymore, at least not in the way we envision or expect it. Working from home is a gift that comes with its own challenges, and the nature of my work is about home, so there’s a lot of crossover and I’ve had to learn how to go with the flow. The tools that help me balance are clear intention and boundaries — I identify my priorities and build boundaries around what’s important. This helps me invest my energy, time, and resources in meaningful ways.
What does a typical day look like for you?
After I get my kiddo ready for school, I do a movement practice and then get myself ready for the day. Lately, I’ve made a real effort to get dressed , a ritual inspired by my recent trip to Paris. There’s just something about putting on an outfit that changes my mindset and sets the tone for the day ahead. Otherwise, I end up throwing on yoga pants (occupational hazard) which, after a while, makes me feel blah. I work until lunch — answering emails, mentoring teachers, developing content for my community, or writing. Billy and I sit down at the table together for a half hour to connect, which is such a meaningful part of my day. I spend the afternoons digging into larger work projects until it’s time to get my daughter off the bus. Then I’m on mommy duty until I teach in the evenings. I clock out after putting my kiddo to bed and spend the rest of the night unwinding from my day. I used to work at night but I’ve found I’m much more productive if I get up early to work before the rest of my house is awake.
What inspires you creatively?
Nature is a huge source of inspiration for me. Living here in Lyme has connected me to nature in a much deeper way. I swear these woods are magical. I also find a lot of inspiration from everyday life — cooking a meal, setting the table, or adorning our space makes the ordinary feel special. For me, it’s about making life itself an art.
What’s your favorite thing about your home?
Can I say everything?!! I love our home so much! It feels like an extension of everything I love — warmth, openness, simplicity, and connection. The kitchen is definitely the heart and soul of the house but in the winter you’ll probably find me in our family room. I had such a clear vision for that room and could see us sitting as a family in front of the fire, listening to records, and hanging out around the coffee table playing games or doing puzzles. I waited patiently for each element to come together and it’s so satisfying to see my vision come to life. We’re making a lot of special memories in that room.
Do you have any daily rituals? How does your home support those rituals?
My morning coffee ritual is sacred—not just drinking it, but making it. For me, it’s a sensory experience that pulls me into the moment. I also have a daily movement practice that helps me feel more embodied, whether it’s yoga, walking in nature, lifting weights, ballet, or running. And I would say making my lunch is also a daily ritual. My time living in France taught me the value of pausing for meals, and lunch is a big one for the French. I keep it pretty simple — mostly salads or a mélange of whatever I have in my fridge — but I really love sitting down at my kitchen table for 30-40 mins because it gives me a little space away from my work and grounds me in the present moment.
What are three things you can’t live without right now?
Coffee, Comté cheese, and snuggles from my girl.
What’s next for you and your business?
What I love most about H(OM)E® is our community. I start each week excited to share what I’m working on in my practice, pulling inspiration from what’s happening around me and bringing it to my classes. I love showing up for my community with tools to help them feel more at home with themselves. Each aspect of my business — retreats, teacher training, lifestyle, and continuing education — brings me joy in different ways, but the thing that excites me most is serving my community at H(OM)E®. I’m always looking for new ways to expand membership. For example, I’m going to be launching exclusive programs on demand, which will include shorter “movement snacks”, beginners’ series, and strength work. My members love my live classes because they receive personalized instruction and support from our amazing community — we love practicing together, but I think these new programs are going to make the practice even more accessible because some days you just don’t have an hour for movement. It’s amazing how just 10-15 minutes can completely shift your day.
Photo Credits: Jen Trahan, Ashley Turner, and Chrissy Carter