Things Will Workout! - The Studio Pilates

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kelly Jackson, Owner of The Studio Pilates, located in Atlanta, GA, USA.

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

We are The Studio Pilates located in Emory Village, Atlanta, GA. Our customers are everyone. Men, women, seniors, and students are all welcome and accommodated here. You won't find outdated beliefs around fitness, body-image stereotypes, or criticisms about your abilities at The Studio. What you will find is a welcoming space for all. You'll also find a thoughtfully designed studio, an amazing team of instructors, curated playlists, and a wide range of Pilates training options. In this space, we invite everyone to come as they are and take what they need from each session. We'll be there to guide them through the movements.

Tell us about yourself

I fell in love with Pilates in my 20's, but it wasn't until I had two kids that I really understood the therapeutic effect it can have as well. Pilates helped reconnect my mind and body postpartum. It gave strength and ease to my daily movements and inspired me to want to share this experience with other women who, at times, feel like strangers in their own bodies. I also wanted to create a space for clients to feel welcome and at ease while connecting to their bodies. Many of the studios I attended in Atlanta felt very cold or unwelcoming to "non-ideal" body types. I believe everyone deserves a positive movement experience, and that class should be an escape from any stress or negativity. I have been in marketing for 18 years and was excited to combine my work experience with my passion. You'll see me at the front desk and also getting certified through Polestar.

My partner Danielle is also the director of programming at The Studio. She has been teaching in Pilates studios and gyms across the country since 2012. She began her career in professional ballet and performed with the Boston Ballet and Joffrey Ballet before leaving to study nutrition. Danielle is passionate about health— she earned her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine and owned a virtual practice where she specializes in women's hormones and fertility. She moved to Atlanta in the fall of 2020.

We wanted to create a space where clients feel genuinely welcome. This includes being respectful of all body types and modifying for all body types. We don't want anyone to feel like this is a status studio where you have to be dressed a certain way or be a certain physique. I am a mom of two, and body acceptance is very important to me when searching for studios.

Pilates can be such a restorative and wonderful workout, and the feeling you get when you walk into the space should be appreciative of your business and your presence. We want clients to feel happy and taken care of from the beginning to the end of the experience. Hopefully, we have created a safe space for clients to move their bodies and feel good. We love being a women-led business and hope that gratitude is reflected back to our clients, who we feel very lucky to work with.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

To me, my biggest accomplishment is building something that I truly love and enjoy. Connecting with clients, using my marketing skills, and enjoying coming to work every single day has been the greatest accomplishment of my life, not just as a business owner. I also feel that from our client feedback, we have truly built a welcoming space, which was a dream Danielle and I both shared.

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

When you love what you do, it's the lack of time to do all the things you would like to do in a day/week/month. Balancing work /life is very important to both Danielle and me. While we could grind away day and night, we also know we need to take care of ourselves. For me, that means spending time with my kids and husband, as well as taking time to care for myself. For Danielle, that means days off, vacations, and self-care. It's hard not to tap yourself out when you also love what you created and to put the brakes on so the business is sustainable.

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

1. Do something you love.
2. If you don't fully know your industry, get to know it or find a partner who does.
3. Treat your clients the way you would want to be treated.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://thestudiopilates.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestudiopilates
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestudio.atl/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thestudiopilates/

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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