Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rachel Robertson, Owner of Return To Form - Kinesiology & Pilates, located in Nanaimo, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Return to Form is a home-based business that provides exercise rehab for injuries using Pilates and/or strength training as a way to help people recover. Our clients range from motor vehicle accidents, athletic injuries, work-related injuries, prenatal and postnatal clients, or just someone who wants to learn proper movement and start working out.
Tell us about yourself
I started in 2007 by teaching Pilates while I finished my Kinesiology degree. I love learning myself and applying it to my clients. So if someone walks in the door with an injury and I can't figure it out, I like to solve the puzzle by trial and error, research, and communication/ teamwork with the client. I am really motivated by the results and successes we see with our clients, but also what it can teach me about my own body and self-care.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being nominated for top 40 business owners under 40 in 2018 was a big surprise to me. But it made me realize the work I do is being recognized in the community, and I am impacting people's lives in a positive way.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Not taking things personally. I want to help people, and it can lead to a bit of people-pleasing, so trying not to sacrifice my family time and setting boundaries has been a huge lesson I had to learn. I realize that setting boundaries helps me have a clear mind at work and home but also allows me to provide better care for my clients.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Boundaries.
- It's easy to grind, but you also have to take care of yourself. And it does not mean getting your nails and hair done (although that is nice). It means doing a mental check, am I sleeping enough, am I eating well, and getting my workouts in?
- Hire those who can reduce your workload and stress but also specialize in that area, so you know it's being done right. Ex. Bookkeeper, accountant, assistant.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://returntoform.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReturntoFormKinesiologyPilates
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/returntoformkinesiology/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/returntoformkin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/returntoformkinesiologypilates/
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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