This New York Style Connecticut Agency is here to Nama-stay.

East Haddam, CT – In East Haddam, otherwise known for the renowned Goodspeed Opera House, resides a distinguished 17th century Victorian. What goes on in that building has attracted businesses from all over the country. The building holds 30+ employees of Julia Balfour, LLC, an integrated, creative agency whose core culture revolves around inspiring change.

Owner and founder, Julia Balfour was motivated to bring her Silicon Valley roots to this east coast agency. Her goal was to build a tribe that could bring all of their unique talents to the table to create flawless design and digital solutions outside of New York City. The company believes in the importance of re-vitalizing their local village and keeping meaningful jobs in Connecticut. This business is setting an example that young professionals and start-ups don’t have to go to New York or Boston to be successful.

The company has shown to be more than an agency, it’s a lifestyle. “Weekly yoga started as a company tradition,” says Alyssa Puzzo, the head of Content Strategy at Julia Balfour, LLC. All interested employees are welcome to enjoy a mid-week break to relax and re-energize. Puzzo explained, “We recognized an appetite for yoga in our staff and a need in the community as well, which is how this new project of ours all began.”

The company is now opening a donation-based, community yoga studio titled JUL YOGA, and is conveniently located across the street from their main office. The classes are meant for participants to feel safe and have fun at the same time. Julia and her longtime friend and yogini, Emrys Tetu, scoured Connecticut to find teachers whose classes filled this criteria. “You shouldn’t leave [a class] without laughing, falling over or pushing your limits,” stated Julia Balfour, creator of JUL YOGA.

A creative agency opening a yoga studio at first glance may seem out of reach, but to Balfour, it makes more than perfect sense. She expressed, “Everything we do is about pouring love in; we pour it into our work, into our community and clients, and yoga is about pouring that love back into yourself.”

The agency also created a non-profit, JUL GIVE, the donations made at JUL Yoga will directly benefit the revitalization of East Haddam.

JUL YOGA is also pioneering a new way to run a yoga studio. Emrys Tetu describes, “We’re disrupting the yoga industry by professionalizing and empowering teachers while each class also gives back to the East Haddam community directly.” Many teachers in the field are only paid based on how many students show up for class. This structure makes it extremely difficult to make a living as a yoga teacher, even though the yoga industry itself is on the rise.

Overall, Julia Balfour, LLC has branched off beyond just tech into a lifestyle brand that has re-energized the town of East Haddam. They want to share this community joy and self-love with all who wish to be a part of it. The first day of classes is February 24th. To get involved, sign up for classes or donate, visit julyoga.com.