Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Leifer & Carrie Jacobsen.
Sarah & Carrie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
We opened our doors 10 years ago this month! We were working at a local studio together and discovered we both wanted to open our own Pilates studio – a place where everyone felt comfortable to come and workout, no matter what shape or size. We truly believe that Pilates is for everyone. Carrie is six feet tall and Sarah is five feet tall (which makes a pretty funny-looking set of partners!) and we use ourselves as examples a lot! We also believe that Pilates is something you can and should be able to do throughout your entire life. We have clients that range from 16 years old all the way to 94 years old! We teach authentic Pilates at Pilates Place and stay true to Joseph Pilates’ method. We started out offering privates and duos and then two years later expanded to offer group classes.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road! We joke around a lot about writing a book on what NOT to do when you start a business! We have made many mistake along the way, but honestly have truly grown from them and become stronger business women because of it! One of our biggest struggles was finding good teachers. During our first two years we parted ways with over 8 teachers that were just not a good fit or who were under-qualified. But this issue led us to developing our own teacher training program here at Pilates Place which has been a huge success! Most of our current teachers have gone through our program and we couldn’t be happier about that!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Pilates Place – what should we know?
We are a boutique Pilates studio that offer privates, duo and group Reformer and Wunda Chair classes. I think we are known for our good teachers (which makes us proud!) and for staying true to authentic Pilates. There are so many studios out there that are just not teaching real Pilates or who are adding so many bells and whistles, that the true method has been lost. We firmly believe that the original method works, it’s not a fad, and it’s here to stay!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are so many who deserve credit in our success. Our clients, of course, have to be at the top of our list. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be here today! We have to thank them for giving us a chance 10 years ago, for believing in us and for sticking with us. We have many, many clients who have been with us along our entire journey! Our teachers are right there too – they are our family. Everyone who works here cares a great deal about what they do, our studio, and the clients…and it shows. Our immediate family has been super supportive as well – especially Carrie’s parents, who gave us our first loan to start the business (after a proper business plan and meeting!)!
Pricing:
- New Client Privates: 3 for $213
- New Client Group Classes: 3 for $60
Contact Info:
- Address: 1506 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA
90403 - Website: www.pilates-place.com
- Phone: 310-907-5460
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @pilatesplace
