1. Tell us about yourself – What is your educational and professional background (schools, degrees, jobs that led you to your current endeavor, location)
Educational background: Bachelors in Journalism. I also attended culinary school. I worked as a writer for 15 years before transitioning to teaching Pilates. I had discovered Pilates after living with chronic pain form injuries sustained from three car accidents in a two year period. A chiropractor referred me to Pilates, and after the first session I felt better than I had felt in years. After working hard to rehabilitate my body with Pilates, I developed severe repetitive strain injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome. It was so debilitating that not only could I not work, I couldn’t even hold anything in my hands, such as a book. I decided that it was time to find a career that would be sustainable for my body, and chose Pilates. I did my training with my original teacher, and then went on from there to complete a Pilates for Golf training and a Master Trainer certification with the Pilates Sports Center so that I could train people to be Pilates Trainers.
2. How did you first get started in your industry? What are you most passionate about in your line of work? I first started by teaching at two different studios owned by my trainer, and then decided I also wanted to train out of my house. I purchased equipment and started teaching out of my house.
3. What was your deciding moment, when you decided to open your own business?
o I was traveling in Cambodia with my boyfriend at the time. I had a powerful experience one day, and when I was having a massage by a blind man, I had intense visions of purging memories. I felt like I was releasing the past and moving in to a new stage in life and work, and wanted to be more connected to my community. I wrote up a brief business plan that night, and when I returned from my trip a month later, I found a space within the week and opened six weeks later.
4. Pros of business ownership: The biggest pro is that you can get as creative as you want. If you are a risk-taker, this is a great outlet to try different things. I also get bored if I do too much of one thing, and I like that I get to wear different hats, and that I am constantly learning.
5. Cons of business ownership. Time intensive, money intensive. Finding good people for your staff can be challenging. Trying to find time to take off. If you are open seven days a week, you never know when you will get a call. It’s hard to ever “turn off.”
6. Any mentors that helped you get started/stay on the right track or create your vision? I have worked with several coaches over the years, in particular when I got started. Now that I am an affiliate of the Pilates Sports Center Teacher Training, there is support there.
7. Is your current company still representative of your original vision? Yes
8. Is there anything in the beginning stages of your business that, in hindsight, you would have done differently?
I would have been more discriminating when hiring people. I would have waited before expanding my space.
9. What have you done to get new clients and retain existing clients? Run specials on coupon sites for new clients, offer free first classes, also online advertising and print ads. Client retention: we restructured as far as no longer offering a membership fee, and we lowered our prices since the economy crashed.
10. Any tips you have for budding entrepreneurs?
Have a network of people who specialize in specific areas: a good accountant, lawyer, insurance person. Have enough capital to get started. Stay connected to your vision, and be adaptable! You never know what’s going to change in your life or in the world. When things get tough, it’s time to get creative and think outside the box.
