Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Meltem Sonmez Burr, Founder, and Owner of Barreitude LLC., located in New York, NY, USA.

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

Barreitude is a small, independent fitness provider that offers small group barre classes and private training sessions. All classes and sessions are currently online, and I have recently added one in-studio/in-person class to meet once a month. My ideal customers are working professionals, mid-30s to mid-50s, who want to bring a fitness discipline into their lives and learn skills to keep their cores strong, avoid injury and be better at all other physical activities that they like to participate in. My goal is for what I teach to become a fitness habit for my trainees and what they want to come back to.

Tell us about yourself

I am a certified and registered barre instructor with over 500 hours taught, as well as a NASM-certified personal trainer. Fitness as an occupation is my second career. Fitness was always an integral part of my life, but when I discovered the barre method, something really clicked. I was at the peak of my first career working as a textile design director. As I immersed myself more and more into practicing and learning the barre method, I became more productive and stronger in every aspect of my life. I started to cultivate the idea of fitness as an occupation. I got more education and certifications and started my own free classes to develop my own style and language of teaching. What motivates me is the fact that the moment I start teaching a class or a private session, the only thing that matters is that moment, and I find myself not thinking about anything else. It is the closest I get to happiness in the pursuit of happiness.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is changing people's lives: making them feel stronger, more confident, calmer, and happier. It comes in different forms: some tell me they no longer experience back pain, some have more endurance in other activities or sports they like to do, some love their abs now, and some love their legs. I think it is incredible to be able to do that. It makes me happy.

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

Getting new clients. Having exposure without compromising who I am and my beliefs. My career path is a bit reversed. Typically people start out with a fitness career while they work on other things, and then they ease their way into another career. Or they work for clubs, studios, and other fitness companies for several years and build a following; then they go independent. My path is completely opposite to that. I want a small tight community of like-minded people who enjoy each other's company whether they are in-studio or online. I am trying to build that mostly with word-of-mouth, one person at a time.

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

  1. Get a good lawyer and a good accountant.
  2. No matter what your business is, have or get the education and truly know your material. Make it your own, and do not copy others in your field. Develop your own material, ideas, and language.
  3. Always remember why you are doing what you are doing and keep looking forward.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Barreitude as a brand represents fitness as a habit, nutrition for fuel and joy, and a lifestyle for mindful living and general wellness. I make these beliefs the foundation for how I live. No gimmicks, just real fitness for life.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.barreitude.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barreitude/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meltem-sonmez-burr-29686313/

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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