Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Angelie Melzer, CEO of TEAM Pilates®️, located in Spokane, WA, USA.

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

I offer International Presentations, Coaching, Teacher Certifications, and Business Mentoring Services to the Pilates Industry. My customers are wellness professionals, Pilates Instructors, Movement Therapists, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Personal Trainers, and anyone looking to start a career in the Wellness Industry.

Tell us about yourself

When I work with a client, I pull from my past experiences as a young Scoliotic. I rely on the knowledge I gained from the first Physical Therapist and Pilates Practitioner who placed me onto the Ladder Barrel and allowed my spine to decompress. After being stuck in a back brace from the ages of 14-17, forced to maintain a position within the confines of a plastic tube for 12-20 hours each day, or having an electrical stimulation unit placed on my little spine at the age of 6. Then being able to take it off for my Ballet and Pilates classes. That feeling of freedom from organic movement. What a dichotomy my body endured.

I pull from the emotional side and the trauma that comes from feeling "broken." Having x-rays every 6 months from the age of 3, only to come away discouraged that the spine kept progressing further into its curve. Succumbing to the Scoliotic curve could have been an option, or "fixing" it through a spinal fusion. However, Pilates and movement, true fine-tuned movement, gave me the hope I needed. Drawing from this experience gives me the empathy and desire to share movement freedom, one body at a time.

What makes learning from me unique-broken to healed. Empathize with touch, feel heard, and be transformational because of feeling heard and seen in the session specifically. True mind-body connection. What did it open up in my life? I went from a broken child with Scoliosis to a Professional Ballerina from my Pilates work.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Opening multiple local studios as a traveling entrepreneur due to following my husband in his Air Force career. Living in a new place, every three to five years presented challenges and a unique opportunity for growth in multiple places. Dropping seeds in each location to nurture and grow a strong and diverse community and business model.

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

Starting fresh and growing a new client base and rapport in each area of the world. Learning to roll with the punches while owning three different businesses. Dealing with the overhead of brick-and-mortar locations during Covid.

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

  1. Be flexible.
  2. Know your market.
  3. Network and grow relationships with like-minded businesses.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Keep going… it is challenging starting out and doing everything yourself, from marketing to networking, to branding yourself and creating your online presence. Not to mention the day-to-day business aspects required. Breathe and reach out for support!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://team-pilates-barre-yoga-and-gyrotonic.ueniweb.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/team.pilates
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angeliemelzer/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/teampilates
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelie-melzer-baa09125/

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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