Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylvia Maldonado.
After stints in Guatemala and New York City, the daughter of a Randolph Street food wholesaler is opening a business of her own — back on Randolph Street.
Sylvia Maldonado, whose father founded West Loop food wholesaler La Criolla at 909 W. Randolph St., will open breathe bar, a meditation studio at 946 W. Randolph St., on March 31. The second floor “meditation oasis” will feature teacher-led meditation classes, on-demand meditation booths and other health and wellness services.
Maldonado got her first crash course in business at age 5, following her father Avelino “Lilo” Maldonado on sales calls to Hispanic grocers across Chicago. Specializing in spice blends, Avelino Maldonado founded the La Criolla Foods out of the trunk of his car. After he died in 1992, Sylvia’s mother Carmen took over the business.
“I feel like I have this startup mojo from my dad,” Sylvia said.
An Emmy-winning television producer, Sylvia Maldonado launched her own career in TV at Harpo Studios just down the block from her family’s business and went on to work as a producer at Towers Productions. She was first introduced to meditation while working at Harpo.
“I took the classes and I highly, highly disliked it. I had ‘monkey mind,’ I couldn’t stop my thoughts, and I thought ‘I’m not good at this,'” she said.
Fast forward several years, Maldonado was now living in New York, and a doctor recommended meditation as a way to cope with stress. The second time around, she was hooked.
“As soon as I tried it, it was transformative,” she said. “I could feel my heart rate lower, my blood pressure lower. I was really able to create that space.”
After working in New York City and working for a non-profit in Chicago, Maldonado volunteered for the Peace Corps in Guatemala before returning home in 2013 to help her mom expand the family business. Leading La Criolla was stressful at times, but Maldonado used the challenges to deepen her meditation practice.
Maldonado is proud to continue her dad’s legacy six decades later and spread the power of meditation and mindfulness to the masses on Randolph’s restaurant row.
“I created breathe bar to remove preconceived notions about meditation so people can truly see what a meditation practice can do for their lives — we want to meet you where you are at, whether you’ve been meditating for years or this is your first time,” she said.
The 3,600-square-foot studio above Starbucks will offer 30-60 minute teacher-led meditation classes that will reflect on a variety of practices, including insight meditation, mindfulness, mantra, sound and visualization. For busy professionals who can’t make a class, breathe bar also offers on-demand meditation. Guests and members can settle into a private booth at breathe bar, put on noise-canceling Bose headphones and use an iPad Mini to experience a 3-7 minute guided meditation by Aura Health.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a smooth road in terms of opportunities and real estate “falling from the sky” though there has been a ton of preparation and sweat equity. It’s a challenge starting a self-funded venture solo, with a partner. You need to surround yourself with a solid group of advisors from a variety of disciplines. I think when there’s alignment with personal passions and professional goals, and a skill set that reflects and supports the personal/professional alignment (passion only takes you so far, you need the chops to execute, which the family business and my father’s example gave me), you’re well-positioned for success.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
What sets us apart – We are an innovative meditation studio – in addition to teacher-led classes, we offer on demand meditation so that if someone is unable to make a class, he/ she can still come in and meditate in a private breathe bar booth. It’s offering a customized experience based on each person and what they need in that moment – we partnered with the Aura app, 200 guided meditations, mood-based, to support you with a 3 or 7 minute meditation according to your mood in that moment.
I’m proud to be a trailblazer, opening the first modern meditation studio in Chicago! There are other studios that are affiliated with a dogma. We want to make meditation accessible and remove those barriers to entry (I’m too busy. It’s too woo woo. I don’t have time. Etc) We’ve taken each one of those challenges and addressed it with our approach and offerings.
What also sets us apart if our thought leaderships. We’ve hosted events with Richard J. Davidson of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and are hosting a talk & book signing with Rachael O’Meara, a Google ad executive and author who has been featured in Harvard Business Review and Thrive Global. At the other end of the spectrum, we host open houses with our neighbors (Kit and Ace, Free People) and Mindful Mingles, lunching on May 5 (Cinco de Mayo) to reinforce our mission: To bring self-care, compassion, connection and community to life through meditation.
What were you like growing up?
My younger sister (by 15 months) used to call me bossy! I was always the ring leader, bringing friends and family together, very social. Typical Leo – dancing and singing and a “performer” – I’ve mellowed with age! A nurturer – my brother was born when I was 10 so I changed his diapers, fed him, babysat often. Volunteered a lot. A do-gooder. My parents always said how lucky we were and told us our responsibility to give back to the less fortunate. They both were born in Puerto Rico in rural areas with big families and very few resources. Interests: tennis, baking, travel, sports. Very loyal. Protector -I always support the underdog, little guy – child of family business – indie spirit – once I find something I love, i.e. meditation, I’m eager to share the love!
Pricing:
- Monthly memberships range from $75-225, with limited edition Early Bird Essentials (4 classes/week and unlimited on demand) $250 for 6 months and Founder’s Club (unlimited classes and on demand) $495 for 6 months
- Drop-in classes: $22
- 10-class pack: $200
Contact Info:
- Address: breathe bar
946 W. Randolph Street, 2nd floor
Chicago, IL 60607 - Website: mybreathebar.com
- Phone: 312-809-0019
- Email: info@mybreathebar.com
- Instagram: @mybreathebar
- Facebook: @mybreathebar
- Twitter: @mybreathebar
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/breathe-bar-chicago-3
- Other: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/15261302/
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
