MC student combines yoga with entrepreneurshipOctober 09, 2018

Entrepreneurship is in Chloe Newton’s blood.  In fact, she is the daughter of two small business owners.  Her mother, who is a South African immigrant, ran an Italian ice shop, and her father is the owner of a maintenance and repair company, where Chloe started working when she was 13.  Since that time, Chloe, who is now 26, has worked continuously at either full- or part-time jobs. 

“My parents taught me the value of a strong work ethic,” said Newton.  “They also taught me the importance of education.”

In December, Chloe Newton will graduate from Midland College in with an associate degree in business.  Even though it has taken her seven years to complete her degree, she has persisted.

“I’m too close to graduation to stop now!” exclaimed Newton.

She graduated from Midland High School in 2011 and then started taking classes at Midland College while working as a patient care assistant in the Emergency Room of Midland Memorial Hospital. 

Four years ago, Chloe married Tim Newton.  Her marriage to Tim gave Chloe an instant family consisting of her three stepchildren—two boys and a girl with special needs.

Chloe no longer works at the hospital, but currently is a part-time teacher of 2- and 3-year-olds at First Presbyterian Church Child Development Center.  She also teaches various forms of yoga from special needs yoga at Mission Center Adult Day Service to yoga for athletes at Fit Family Fitness.

“I love yoga,” said Newton.  “I have Midland College to thank for my yoga passion.  My first yoga class was at Midland College as part of a PE credit.  Ever since then, I’ve been hooked.”

Holding true to her entrepreneurial nature, Chloe also teaches private yoga lessons through her own company, Yoga with Chloe.  Her plans include expanding this business when she graduates from Midland College. 

Even Chloe’s husband Tim has been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug.  He owns and operates Newton’s Custom Blades, a knife shop specializing in knives for culinary and other technical purposes.

“Tim is 14 years older than I am,” explained Chloe.  “He plans to retire from his full-time job working for the City of Midland in a couple of years, and then we will both be able to concentrate on our small businesses.”

The couple are strong advocates of family time.  “Family” not only includes the three children, but also consists of three cats and three German Shepherds, one of which is a therapy dog.

“Amya, the therapy dog, is great with my stepdaughter Sarina who has spinal scoliosis,” said Newton. 

Newton has managed to finance her college through private Midland College scholarships—the Uptown Midland Business & Professional Women’s Scholarship and the Marion and Jan Jones Scholarship.

“Sometimes people are amazed that I have time to be a wife and stepmother to three children, work various part-time jobs and take college courses,” said Newton.  “Family comes first, but staying busy is just a part of who I am.”