Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Katie Clarke, co-owner and lead instructor of Grounded Pilates + Lifestyle, located in Burlington, ON, Canada.

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

Grounded is a Pilates studio that caters to anyone and everyone. We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to Pilates and movement. We are our harshest critics, and it's always been incredibly important to me to put a stop to that criticism, to be a bridge that helps bring you from a place of self-judgment, and perhaps fear of something new, to a place of confidence and acceptance, all through movement.

Tell us about yourself

I slowly got into Pilates between kids 2 and 3, but it wasn't until I was rebuilding my strength after my third pregnancy that I really fell in love with all things Pilates. I trained, I taught, I listened and learned, and then after a few years, I decided it was time to carve my own path. Pilates is considered fitness, but I believe it gives us so much more. It brings us in tune with our bodies. It forces us to slow things down. It gives us a sense of worth; it showcases our strengths instead of our weaknesses. I live for the moments when clients realize just how much their bodies CAN do. We are amazing creatures sometimes; we just need an extra boost to bring ourselves to life. I believe Pilates can do that.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

So far, it's staying positive throughout four government-mandated studio closures and coming out of each closure committed to our vision of bringing movement to every type of human. Clients will come and go, but I truly believe that if you know your WHY and commit to that, the right people come at the right time. Accepting that flux and still giving it my all has shocked even me!

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

I've learned a lot in the past two years of owning a business, and most of it has been good, but the part that constantly nags at me is never wanting to let people down. I don't want to let my instructors down; I want to give them a place to teach that makes them feel as amazing as I think they are. I don't want to let my wonderful clients down; I want them to feel as though every penny they spend on themselves is worth it. And personally, I don't want to let my kids down - I want to show them that putting yourself into your work if you truly stand behind that work is 100% worth it, even if it means I'm at work more than they want me to be. But with all that, you need boundaries, and they need to be clear. Shutting off is key. HARD, but necessary.

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

  1. Be yourself - don't worry about what other people are doing. They have their plan; you have yours. It's important to remember that not everyone will like you, and that's okay.
  2. Stay connected to your clientele. They aren't just dollar signs - what do they represent to you? What can you afford to give of yourself to them? Can you do this while still maintaining a strong sense of your personal boundaries? That's something you have to work on daily; it's a balancing act.
  3. Make sure you hire people you can trust. They need to be different than you are; they need to inspire you and challenge you, but at the end of the day, they represent you and your brand, and that has to show.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

The last two years have been a crazy time to own a small business. There have been so many emotions and worries to go along with it, but having to open, close, reopen time and time again has shown me that people want connection. People want to be with other people. People want to support small businesses. People want you to succeed, even if you have dark days. So if you have a business idea and the one thing holding you back is fear, don't let that stop you. A pandemic didn't stop me, and I feel like this is just the beginning of a great ride.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://groundedpilates.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Grounded-Pilates-Lifestyle-105276121275253/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groundedpilatesandlifestyle/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.