Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lee Vallely, Founder of Lee Pilates Method, located in Austin, TX, USA.

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

Lee Pilates Method is a movement practice built on the foundation of contemporary, science-based Pilates principles, neuromuscular re-education, and proper breath control. All my classes and programs offer this definitive methodology that emphasizes breath awareness, precise movement, and proper body alignment. The heart of my method is founded on the principle that the body can't move a muscle that the brain can't connect with. This means that if you aren't focused on correct breathing and moving with precision and intention, your brain cannot fire from the right muscles or move with correct alignment. And you will never get the results you want.

My clients range from 40 to 70. They are looking for movement that will make them strong, minimize pain and injury, create a supple, elongated body and give them the tools to move and perform well for the rest of their lives. Some are moms, some are athletes, and some are beginners. They want to understand how their body works and feel sexy, vibrant, and powerful. Now and throughout their lives.

Tell us about yourself

I studied dance since the age of four. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, specializing in Dance, I spent eight years as a professional ballet and modern dancer in San Francisco and New York City. As with all dancers, the time comes when you must leverage your talents and abilities into more long-term sustainable employment, especially as a single parent. In 1985 – with a three-month-old baby in tow – I moved to Austin, Texas, to be close to my family. This became the first of several times in my life that I have reinvented myself. This first transition required that I move from a highly skilled dancer to an educated fitness professional. To prepare, I invested time and money studying and certifying with the best educators and leaders in the movement industry. During these years, I learned what drives adults to get and maintain a healthy body and what it takes to earn their loyalty and trust. And I was becoming a budding entrepreneur. Because I began to see unfulfilled needs in the adult wellness and fitness industry and decided to do something about it.

I spent years with large fitness chains learning the business of the fitness and movement industry. In 2007 I combined all the expertise I had developed on the business and movement side of the house and founded RedBird Pilates and Fitness. I felt there was a need in my community for a center that offered a higher level of education and commitment to the precision and passion of movement. I reinvented myself and direction and, for 15 years, grew and molded a successful business that helped hundreds of clients, using my methodology, learn to move well and create the outcomes in movement and health that they desired. And now, with one more reinvention, I have founded the Lee Pilates Method. I am so thrilled to combine all my years of knowledge, success, hardship, discipline, and joy of movement into a method that truly represents who I am now and one that transforms others' lives. But this was not an easy transition. It took two years to divest myself of the large, demanding, successful business I had built and the emotional challenges that came with it. I had made a dream and had the privilege of living that dream for many years.

My ego was attached to what I had accomplished, but my heart and mind were now wanting, once more, a reinvention. It was time, at age 60, to simplify and use these next years to fully focus on sharing my knowledge as the movement specialist I had become. My methodology was now more crystalized and refined because I had the discipline and contentment to practice what I teach. Currently, I teach daily, write about my work and continue my research on the science of movement. As I've often said, "it's not what you do but how you do it." Although I've mostly applied this to movement, as I look at the trajectory of my life, I see that I have lived these words. I have lived my passion for movement and entrepreneurial endeavors and continue to do so. I wake up each day committed to calming and focusing my brain and nervous system on the thoughts of the good each day offers. (Not easy) I discipline myself to train daily. I want resilience of mind, spirit, and body. I intend to connect with my clients, nature, loved ones, animals, and life. I stay focused on what is in front of me and how I can affect the best outcomes for me, those I serve, my family, and my community.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is that I have cultivated resilience, nimbleness, and fortitude in responding to both my needs as a human and the needs of my clients and community. I've learned not to sacrifice my well-being as I serve. I now understand the importance of honoring my core needs so that I can be a role model and fulfill the needs of my clients and customers.

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

Wearing many hats. As a start-up, you may need to be the marketing specialist, bookkeeper, and business advisor to yourself and interface with your customers. Stay the course.

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

  1. Figure out and stay focused on the WHY of your business and do it better than anyone. If you're good and passionate about what you do and treat your customers with great consideration, the money and growth will come.
  2. Be gritty. Stay lean, work HARD, and grow your revenue first.
  3. As soon as you can, get financial support. If you're good at what you do, you will need financial advice, bookkeeping, and accounting in managing your business. Set that up first and avoid lots of trouble down the line. Stay out of debt!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://leepilates.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leepilatesmethod/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leepilatesmethod/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-vallely-00b471a/

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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