Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Beth Downey, Owner of Body Precision Pilates, located in Bryn Mawr, PA, USA.

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

I own a Pilates studio, and we see clients of all ages and levels of fitness. We tend to specialize in pain issues since I opened the studio in 1995, and at that time, there was little awareness of Pilates in the community. Our first clients were trying to relieve pain, and as Pilates helped them, the referrals kept coming. We grew steadily by helping clients realign their bodies and work towards being pain-free. I also developed and currently direct a teacher training program, so our client base is also enrolled trainees to become instructors.

Tell us about yourself

My educational background is in sales and marketing, and I worked in the healthcare industry for 15 years after college. I also grew up playing and competing in sports and love fitness. When I had the opportunity to open a Pilates studio 27 years ago, both my love of fitness and my background in marketing gave me a wonderful basis to develop a successful studio. I started with one teacher, and now I have 12 Pilates teachers and an ongoing Teacher Training Program. It is so rewarding to develop trainees into highly qualified instructors and also to help clients achieve their goals through their Pilates lessons. I feel very lucky to be in a business that is so healing to the clients and rewarding to the teachers who are working with them.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As a small business owner, I think it is a great accomplishment to maintain a thriving service business through the stock market crash in 2008 and, most recently, the Coronavirus pandemic. When the studio closed by state mandate, I had to learn how to create income without the use of the physical studio. The teachers and I learned how to use Zoom and work with clients in their homes without the use of supportive studio equipment. We now have clients back in the studio but still use Zoom with many clients who prefer to remain in their homes.

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

As a small business owner, I'm juggling multiple roles. I'm a Pilates teacher, Director of the teacher training program, workshop instructor, payroll administrator, bookkeeper, marketing manager, and social media coordinator. I'm always working on how I can multitask and get more tasks accomplished throughout the day. It's an ongoing project for me!

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

Number one is to find a business or industry that you are passionate about. Then be sure to write a business plan, so you are prepared from all aspects. When you put your team together, look for those that complement your strengths and weaknesses, so you have all your bases covered.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.bodyprecision.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodyprecisionpilates
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodyprecision/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bodyprecision
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-downey-99263110/

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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