Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Olivia Bowman-Jackson, Founder of Olivia Fitt, located in New York, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a Certified Personal Trainer, Pilates, Dance, and Fitness Instructor. I train clients and classes virtually and in person. I offer a wonderful variety of classes, including a Low Impact DANCE CARDIO class where we have a sweaty dance party with lots of bootie shaking; a CIRCUIT CLASS where we incorporate hand weights, body weight, and cardio for fat & calorie burning burst of energy; a Gyrokinesis-based chair class for Senior Citizens using light weights and therabands to keep the spine mobile, sculpt the arms, legs and connect the deep core muscles; and a Pilates/Yoga fusion mat class. All classes are catered to all levels depending on who is present and what people need.
Tell us about yourself
I danced professionally around the world for ten years with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, then Off-Broadway, as well as a backup dancer for Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Gala, Taylor Dayne, and Ellie Goulding. I also got to perform with Cirque Du Soleil Events in Saudi Arabia. I fell in love with Pilates when I was prescribed it as rehab for a back injury while dancing in Ailey and trained privately on the reformer for ten years. It helped to enhance and sculpt my perspective of technique, dancing, and physicality in all modalities, and I incorporate it into everything I teach. After retiring from Ailey, I wanted to create a career I could sustain at any age, helping people and myself stay healthy and motivated. Fitness was the perfect solution.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Living and working abroad as a Personal Trainer for a very high profile Celebrity client. I'm proud of myself for taking a leap of faith and jumping into the unknown. It ended up being an extremely challenging and stressful position, but it taught me that I have a plethora of experience and knowledge to pull from, and I can use that in creative ways to train any person, with any injuries, in any modality, with any equipment. It taught me to have complete confidence in my ability.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It can be challenging to feel like you have to compete or keep up with the fast-moving trends on social media. But you have to stay present and honest in your life and goals and know that things are never what they appear on there. It can also be challenging in the beginning if you feel slow progress but stick with it. Progress takes time and dedication.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Choose something you love so much you would do it for free. Find ways you can help or serve your community or audience. Sometimes it's filling a void that you yourself would want to be filled and sharing it with others.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'm so grateful I get to share my love of movement with my clients and students. Dance has and always will be my first love. And I incorporate it into everything I do. People have fun and, most times, don't even feel like they are working out. I love bringing joy and health to people's lives.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.oliviafitt.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OliviaBowmanJackson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviabowmanjackson/
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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