Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health & fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hally Bayer, Founder of Thrive Pilates and Yoga, located in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

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

Thrive Pilates & Yoga is a boutique studio that has been serving clients for over 13 years. We offer Pilates and Yoga group and private sessions in a beautiful setting with the most talented, well-trained teachers. We create a nurturing, supportive environment for our students to Thrive!

Tell us about yourself

I am Hally Bayer, Founder of Thrive Pilates, a teacher, mother, and philanthropist with a diverse background in wellness. I believe that well-being is cultivated through integrative practices of the mind and body, and I share my passion for helping others live with fullness and health throughout the community of Philadelphia and beyond.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Cornell University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Georgia State University. The theme of movement streamed through my life, starting at a young age with dance. After completing my formal education, I trained as a Pilates Instructor with Power Pilates and later in Baptiste style Power Yoga.

As a teenager, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and later Crohn’s Disease. Living with these illnesses during my formative years and enduring the treatments and frequent hospital visits gave me a thoughtful perspective on the importance of holistic wellness.

I discovered personal healing through modalities of nutrition and mindfulness-based lifestyle changes, leading me to become a Certified Health Coach with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and a Certified Meditation Teacher through the Chopra Center.

Today I own Thrive Pilates and yoga, where I teach private and group classes alongside my amazing team of teachers. I also offer on-demand Pilates and meditation videos through my website and I host retreats each winter and fall.

I serve on the board of The School Mindfulness Project, a local non-profit sharing yoga and mindfulness with students and teachers in Philadelphia’s most underserved communities. I live in the heart of the community with my husband, Nick, and eight-year-old son, Luke.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I would say that my most significant accomplishment as a business owner is constantly evolving with the times. Surviving the pandemic was a challenging task. I had a remarkable team of teachers and a community of students that not only helped us to survive this trying time but enabled us to thrive, allowing us to expand once we were back in person.

There were many times when I wanted to give up. However, I knew how important it was to my staff and students to keep going. Many describe our classes as a lifeline during that challenging time. I am grateful that my work can be so rewarding!

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

The most challenging thing for me is taking a break from working. I rarely stop thinking about how we could be doing better and how we can serve our community better! It is hard for me to turn off my mind which is why my meditation practice is so important.

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

  1. Find something you love doing. It doesn’t feel like work if you genuinely love it.
  2. Surround yourself with people that support your growth and want to see you succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
  3. When things get challenging, trust that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and if you persist, something good will come of it.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thrivepilatesyoga.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivepilatesandyoga/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivepilatesyoga/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hally-bayer-28a4b112/

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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