What inspired you to step into the role of business ownership?
“After leaving a corporate job in NYC and moving to Philadelphia, I wanted to take my career in a different direction. I knew the only way I could give myself the work/life balance and flexibility that I was looking for was to start my own business. I work hard and wear many hats, but I have full ownership and control over my schedule and day-to-day. It can be difficult to balance all of the roles (leader and decision maker, administrative work, scheduling, tech support, HR, and janitor), and my personal life, but it is incredibly rewarding and worthwhile.”
Why did you decide to establish your business in Philadelphia
“Philly is my hometown. I always knew I’d move back at some point, and when I got burned out from my jobs in New York, I wanted to take a step back and be closer to family. Fairmount is home to me. I lived here as a kid and have been back for seven years now.”
As a millennial business owner, how are you defining or redefining success?
“One of the things I’ve always championed, but is especially important coming out of a pandemic, is that running a business is a team effort. It’s not just about one person. The team I have now is amazing and our success is really due to them. The instructors who teach are incredibly passionate about the classes they lead and about bringing people in this community together. The desk staff and their manager really make the studio function well so that everyone who comes in for class has a positive experience. My accountant keeps our finances in order, which ensures the business can grow. My sister helps with our PR, and my manager Alyssa handles marketing, social media, and newsletters, which keeps our community engaged. It’s important to recognize the people on a team, and make sure they know they are appreciated and valued. That, to me, is success.”
What has been your experience working with PIDC?
“The pandemic lasted longer for some types of businesses than others. PIDC offered a relief program for restaurants and gyms, and the funding we secured allowed us to keep operating until spring, when we could offer outdoor classes again and open in-studio with a capacity that could scale up as vaccines became readily available.”
Is there any advice you would like to offer to others navigating entrepreneurship?
“Finding good people who are invested in seeing your business succeed, who work hard and have accountability, are willing to learn and grow, and can take ownership of a role is key. Understand metrics and set clear goals for success that are attainable. Setting boundaries early on is something I wish I had done because it makes it harder to set them after things are already in place. Make sure you set aside time each week that is for you, where you aren’t on call for anything and don’t do work. You’ll be able to go back to your work with a clear mind and fresh thoughts. And finally, don’t give out your work email or personal number. Have a general email that gets listed online and that people can give out.”