Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Daye.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Studio86 Fitness originally began in April of 2019 as an online subscription of pre-recorded workout videos subscribers could do at home in Mat Pilates, Yoga, and Jumping Fitness. I started it as a side hobby while still living in Los Angeles, working as a professional dancer and Pilates instructor. As much as I tried to find help with learning how to film and edit videos for this while in LA, no one was either willing to help or completely understood what I was doing, so I taught myself all of it from YouTube videos and Google. In the summer of 2019, I decided to retire from dancing and move back to my hometown of Columbus, OH to begin the journey of opening a physical location of Studio86 Fitness. I opened on March 1st, 2020, just two weeks before Ohio’s stay-at-home orders were issued due to Covid. The studio shut down like everything else and pivoted to online streaming classes only. I would say I was luckier than most as I already had an understanding on filming and recording fitness classes, and there were no preconceived notions or expectations from (my very few) clients on what my business should be doing during that time.
We are now over two years on and about to launch our teacher training programs for Pilates, Barre86, and Jumping Fitness! The studio is steadily growing due mainly to the fantastic community of clients who have chosen to step through the door and return with their friends/family. Without them, none of this would be possible, and I am so grateful!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Hahaha smooth road. I wish. I remember telling my mom when I got the keys to the space and the buildout was finished that, something was wrong. She was confused, and I told her my life is not this easy. Finding this space, negotiating the lease, the buildout, etc. was too easy. Everything was going so well that something HAD to be wrong. Well, in comes a pandemic. So, the shoe had dropped. Generally, though just learning the ins and outs of running a business and what works for my business specifically. I receive so much good advice, but most of it may not really apply, or it is just outdated advice with how quickly technology changes. There is a constant ‘learning on the job’ for me, as I assume every new business owner knows. The biggest hurdle has been finding solid instructors and my last employer in LA told me this would be the most difficult aspect of running a studio, so I was not surprised when she was 100% correct.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Studio86 Fitness is a boutique fitness studio that specializes in small group classes and private sessions in traditional Pilates, Jumping Fitness, Barre86, and Yoga. The studio really strives to be accessible to all abilities and bodies so that everyone will feel welcome and supported in a fitness environment. I am the owner and lead instructor in Pilates, Jumping Fitness, and Barre86. My background in Pilates is unique compared to most instructors in that I received my Pilates training while working in a physical therapy clinic in Los Angeles. This gave me educational opportunities to work with and learn from therapists in a Pilates-based rehab center that I otherwise would never have had access to as a student during Pilates teacher training. I am now able to share all that knowledge in the teacher training program I have created which is very exciting! Jumping Fitness is additionally unique in general as my studio is the first to offer this style of rebounding (trampoline fitness) in the Midwest, and it originates from Czech Republic. I am most proud to have built this business from scratch and many clients initially think the studio is a big national brand which I think is a good thing. At least, I hope it is haha. Studio86 is a place for anyone at any level of fitness to feel comfortable and be themselves. We are one of the most affordable boutique studios in the city, considering the class styles we have are usually quite expensive, and that is intentional. There are sales throughout the year; we offer an ongoing student discount and a corporate membership option to companies headquartered in Columbus.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I expect the boutique fitness industry to grow for sure. I definitely see Pilates continuing to become widely popular over the next few years as we have already seen massive and sudden growth in just the last 2 years alone. I would love to see trampoline fitness becoming more popular and shifting off being trendy on social media to being trendy in real life. More people are turning to boutique studios to receive personalized instruction instead of being in classes of 15+ people with just 1 instructor. Clients are spending hard-earned income on these services no matter where they go, and I believe they are learning the value of getting more for their money at the independent boutique spaces with smaller class sizes.
Pricing:
- Single Class- $25
- 10 Classes- $200
- Monthly 30 Class Membership- $199
- Intro Private-$55
- 10 Privates- $700
Contact Info:
- Website: www.studio86fitness.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/studio86fitness
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/studio86fitness
- Other: www.vagaro.com/studio86fitness
Image Credits
Mari Provencher
Autumn Theodore
