by Ella Wong
When business and pleasure combine it’s a beautiful thing. And if you’re doing what you love, meaning you turn your passion into a business, then things are pretty sweet.
If you’re running a business as a Pilates instructor, or any other business for that matter, there are certainly times when it can be challenging. For one thing, you are responsible for every single aspect of keeping your business alive and running. From the income you generate week to week, the number of clients you have coming through the door, managing expenses, instructors, customer relationships…. The list goes on. If you’re a small business or sole trader, then you know exactly what I mean. Unlike a traditional workplace where you can turn to your boss or senior colleagues for feedback, advice or recognition of a job well done, you’re making all the decisions and often learning as you go, through trial and more trial. The first two years of running your own business are particularly challenging as you’re starting up, getting your name out in the community, establishing a client base, learning about running all aspects of a business, managing finances, marketing, advertising plus giving 100% to your clients. Running a business and working on your business are two very different things and you need to dedicate time to both.
Not every task that involves running a business is going to be something that you LOVE. If you are a creative person, the idea of repetitive admin tasks, strategising, marketing, forecasting and finances all involve wearing your analytical business hat, not to mention that you’re probably going to need to do this at a computer. Time spent at the computer is arguably one of the more frustrating aspects of managing a Pilates practice, because you can feel your posture slumping, your shoulders creeping up to your ears and your back, hips and neck getting tight and fatigued.
The key is to stay focused on what you do well – and do more of it. If you can afford to do so, seek help from others by outsourcing repetitive admin tasks. Seek advice from trusted mentors and senior instructors with whom you have a close relationship. Form a network through Pilates organisations or other business owners who are willing to share their experience and knowledge – but be mindful that not everyone is willing to share as much as you might be, so choose your mentors wisely.
Finally, the top three business practice points I have learnt in keeping your business and passion flowing are to stay engaged; find or form your own networking group of likeminded instructors or business owners; and join a recognised Pilates organisation – the PAA for example, where you can form networks and keep up to date with training options, events and all aspects of managing a Pilates practice
Keep up your own self practice; would you visit a dentist who has bad teeth? It’s all too easy to let your own self practice slide and when you’re in the business of helping and giving to others, you need to make sure you have enough energy, time and self practice in your reservoir to be able to give.
Stay interested and interesting; keep learning from others and about yourself. Attend workshops and keep up with your PDP points to stay informed and relevant. Your clients will notice if you start to lose interest or get bored and there is nothing worse than going to a Pilates class where the instructor doesn’t really want to be there and engage completely with the clients and their workout.
Use your time wisely. The biggest resource you have is your time, and it’s the one thing that you can’t get back, but are in control of. Schedule your business tasks routinely and together with your continued learning and self care practice, you will keep your passion for Pilates and your business will flourish and prosper.
Ella Wong
Director Pilates Tasmania
PAA General Committee Member
Comments are closed.