Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brittany Clark, Owner of Fairfax Pilates, located in Fairfax, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the proud owner of Fairfax Pilates, a boutique studio nested in the heart of historic downtown Fairfax, VA. Our clients are busy people who have an impact on others, albeit family, career, or church, and we empower them to live with confidence and positivity!
Tell us about yourself
Once upon a time, I was a road warrior for a big consulting firm, and I had no sense of balance in my life. I became certified to teach Pilates for myself - so that I could heal my body during my days at home, and I fell in love with the method. I left a huge salary for something that fulfilled my inner joy, and I haven't looked back since. I opened a studio in 2015, thrived during the pandemic, and now coach other business owners on how to navigate challenges and find joy in what they do as well. My title is "Creator of Positive Change" because that's what I do every day. The positive shift in a client's demeanor, stance, body, and mind is what calls me back day after day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest success is navigating the challenge of COVID-19. With a studio in northern Virginia, we closed for months and, as a community, lived in fear for another year. Numbers were down, but never upside down, and I managed to keep a full staff and a critical community during the most difficult time I've ever faced in a lifetime. We were there for each other, and together, we endured.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest part of business ownership is the part you don't see. Everyone thinks running a business is easy, but being a small business owner means I'm the teacher, the team trainer, the accountant, the janitor, the marketing genius, and more. Everything behind the scenes that keeps me up at night is the hard part. People just see the duck on top of the water - they don't see the feet scrambling underneath. So with that said, the biggest challenge is keeping a level mind and focus when things get really hard.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Pick a career that you're 100% passionate about. If you aren't passionate, you'll want to quit when things get tough.
- Know your numbers. Numbers don't have feelings and will always tell you the truth. The more you know, the better you can pivot and adapt to various circumstances.
- Remember why you started. For example, my kids are my inspiration. I tell them to always pursue their dreams, so if I don't do the same, it makes me a hypocrite. I am a role model for my children, so I push myself even harder to make them proud and show them that hard things aren't impossible!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://fairfaxpilates.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FairfaxPilates/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairfaxpilates/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fairfax-pilates/
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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