Joe's Disciple: a weekly Pilates teacher feature
Name:
Michelle Chauvette
Name of My Pilates Studio:
Bedford Pilates & Pedaling
# of years open:
I opened the studio 1 1/2 yrs ago after purchasing a local pilates studio that I worked at. She was open for 5 years.
Website:
http://www.bedfordpilatesnh.com
My Certifications:
STOTT, ACE, Cardiolates(r) thru Pilates Academy International; SPINNING thru Mad Dogg Athletics
# Of years teaching:
7 plus
Inspiration for opening my own Pilates studio: I just love helping people meet their goals! And, I love the relationships that are formed thru this energetic, positive field!
Vision/mission for my studio is: for every woman to feel accepted in the skin they're in and to feel successful with exercise. Most women either feel intimidated or nervous about exercise but Pilates is for EVERY individual. I love when people tell me over and over "I just feel more put together" from doing pilates!
My initial fears: & still some fears....meeting the rent every month and making everyone happy!
If I knew then what I know now: I would have done things more simply..I had this vision and was too impatient to wait it out..I went all out and am in debt more than I'd like to be.
My favorite thing about owning my own studio: being able to create a program based on others needs/wants and having complete control to do so! I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I'm able to fill other peoples desires.
Useful skills of a successful studio owner: The most useful skill is having a great attitude and a pleasant smile. Be willing to LISTEN to other's needs and you can never go wrong. Marketing skills and business 'know-how' come last in this business...the key to retaining clients is the affect you have on them personally.
Services offered at my studio: Pilates, both mat & equipment, private and group training, fusion classes incorporating yoga & personal training w/pilates principles, specialty classes for equestrians, pregnancy, etc.; spinning, personal training, cardiolates (which is just like urban rebounding, pilates style), massage.
What makes my studio unique: A spa-like environment, friendly instructors and clients; small intimate classes with never more than 10 students; we offer cardio in conjunction with pilates so we are an alternative to the gym lifestyle. We cater to individual needs while keeping a personal approach by knowing each and every person by name whether it be in a class environment or privates.
How I initially got clients in the door: Thankfully, I purchased a (very small) existing studio so I had a baseline of clients (about 40). I moved the studio to a very high traffic area which helped tremendously! My sign was the #1 marketing tool as well as my website when we began. After only 1 1/2 years, we are almost a 'household' name in southern NH...there is only one other studio in the area which I don't consider to be a huge threat to my studio because their focus is more on physical therapy and gyrokenesis.
How I retain clients: Personalized approach and a variety of classes to choose from. Our studio is friendly, clean and unique compared to gyms/healthclubs that offer pilates in the area. Because we are a specialized studio, we cater more toward women than men but we do have a fair share of men. I would like to see more.
# of employees: I have 8 independent contractors.
What I look for in my instructors: Pleasant personality, training from a respected Pilates source, eventually loyalty & a good team attitude.
My greatest challenges as a studio owner/employer: finding qualified instructors!
My inspirations: the clients I meet every day. They keep me going and remind me daily why I love this business so much.
How I maintain my passion: The clients I meet every day! Without the relationships I form at the studio it would be a job like any other. The smiles on their faces, the results and excitement they bring each and every time I see them light the fire within me and remind me why I chose this field to begin with!
Words of wisdom or advice for future Pilates studio owners: Take a deep breath and soak it all in. Try not to let the business side of ownership get in the way of your dream. Sometimes, the behind the scenes 'stuff' that goes on can drain you. Remember the spark within you the day you chose to open the studio and how you felt when your first client walked through the door.
When I’m not running my studio I’m: a mom of 3 kids and 2 dogs running back and forth with my kids activities. I love photography and spending time with my family & friends.
One question I would ask Joseph Pilates: More of a comment/observation: I am amazed each and every day at the unique movements and the thought process for which he had in order to create such precise, involved & unique movements. I would love to be able to see what he saw and think what he thought as he molded and formed this amazing form of movement.
My mentors: PJ O'Clair from
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