Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kate Andrews, Founder of AVENIR, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I own a boutique Pilates Studio located in Silverlake, Los Angeles. We have a spacious main studio with 10 Allegro 2 reformers by Balanced Body. Our private room has a Peak Cadillac and a Balanced Body Chair. We offer private sessions as well as four different class types: Fundamentals ( a back-to-basics, informative class), Body Tonic (a vibey, form-focused class with a bit of release work utilizing the foam roller), Power + Flow (our signature, athletic class that strengthens the entire body), and Backend Bounce (our low impact, high intensity, jump board class). We cater to all clients regardless of injury, limitation, and experience. Seriously, we do! Our instructors are knowledgeable, experienced, creative, and compassionate people. We care about our clients and staff deeply.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Kate Andrews. As a former professional dancer and Pilates instructor myself, I wanted to create a space where creativity was honored and respected. I wanted to create a studio where clients could immerse themselves in an entire experience from music, lights, instruction, choreography, and flow, all the while respecting proper form and safety. Coming from a dance background, I wanted to share my love for movement with the people of Los Angeles. I feel like we've done an excellent job merging pilates and dance into classes at Avenir. Each instructor creates their own choreographic flow for each class. And whether or not the clients realize it, they are dancing, moving, and strengthening with each session they take. I love being able to be a stable force in the community for our clients.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is survival of the pandemic and flourishing post-pandemic. I could have never imagined a worse scenario than the pandemic, and yet I have never felt stronger as a business than I do right now.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The more challenging idea that comes with being a business owner is the full-time responsibility for anything and everything that happens in regard to customers, clients, employees, and the community. It is imperative to be on call for anything, and I mean ANYTHING that happens. And this can be really challenging when I have personal responsibilities to myself and my family as well. But it is also the most rewarding!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Write a business plan...don't skimp on this part. Get detailed. This is your road map to success. You can always change it down the road, but it's super important to start here.
  2. Know your numbers. If you're not great with numbers, team up with someone who is, someone who can help guide you. You don't know what you don't know. Ask questions!
  3. Have fun! You're opening your own business because you love it, right? Don't forget to enjoy the process and enjoy yourself. There's always going to be something that goes wrong or not the way you imagined, but guess what? There are always solutions! Some are just more challenging than others...so have fun while you're doing it, and try not to take anything too seriously.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.avenir-la.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avenir_losangeles/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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