Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health & fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Robyn Thaler Hickey, owner of Rebalance Pilates, located in Toronto, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I own Rebalance Pilates, a boutique Pilates studio in Downtown Toronto. I have a wide variety of clients, ranging from those using Pilates for fitness and cross-training to those using Pilates for injury and illness recovery and to manage chronic pain.
The beauty of Pilates is that it is versatile, and can be adapted for anybody.
Tell us about yourself
I first came to Toronto for theatre school and like many actors, was working in restaurants. I wanted to do something other than hosting, and a friend of mine was teaching yoga as a means of supporting herself while having a flexible schedule to audition. Yoga wasn’t my thing but I really liked Pilates (which I discovered in my teens as a dancer), so I set out and trained to be an instructor. And I completely fell in love with it. So much so, that I stopped acting to focus full-time on learning more about the human body and what we are capable of. What motivates me? I love helping my clients reach their goals, become stronger, and feel comfortable, confident, and safe in their bodies. Movement can feel intimidating, and there is nothing more thrilling than working with someone and guiding them through movement; helping them explore what their body can do and see how each week they walk in with more confidence in themselves and their physical abilities.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment happened during the height of the pandemic when I (like every fitness professional) had to pivot to keep my business going. At the time, I was running my business out of a spare room in our condo. Once the pandemic hit, my husband took the room over as an office. I moved everyone online and started teaching Instagram Live workouts. I began filming these workouts and eventually created my OnDemand site, Rebalance Pilates at Home (https://ondemand.rebalancepilates.ca/) I also found a new physical space to house my business for in-person sessions- a pretty big risk when the province was still locked down and I was seven months pregnant!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, one of the hardest things as a business owner is all the hats I have to wear on any given day. I teach I do all the marketing, I film classes and edit them for the OnDemand site, and an infinite number of other jobs that require my attention. I’m also a mom of two (one is 3.5 and the other is 8 months). So balancing running my business and spending time with them is challenging. I hate having to look at my phone so much when I’m with them. But I also want them to see that their Mama is an entrepreneur and works hard doing what she loves.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be Open and discerning. You never know when an opportunity might come your way. Be open to what is presented to you but discerning about where you choose to place your energy and time.
- Know when to ask for help. This one was hard for me and still is sometimes. But asking for help and learning what others have to teach you is the best way forward.
- Be kind to yourself. There will be times when you fail. Don’t take the failure with you. Take the lesson with you. Learn from it and move on. Holding on to the failure and the negative energy will only weigh you down.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Running a business is hard. Very hard. And burnout is real. It’s ok to take some time for yourself. Take a break from social media. Take a weekend off. Put the phone down (so hard!). It’s ok to take a break. You will come back refreshed. Your business, and you, will be better for it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://rebalancepilates.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebalancepilatestoronto/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebalancepilatestoronto/
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.
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