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Name: Lindsay Lopez

Business: FORM Pilates, NYC based pilates studio

Industry: Health & Beauty

Location: New York, New York, U.S.

Reason for starting: I saw a niche need in my marketplace and decided to fill it. I previously was a professional singer/dancer/actress and always had Pilates as my day job. Being an entrepreneur was always in my blood, and I had equipment in my home when I lived in California. When I was ready to retire from show business, and was nursing an injury, I had the opportunity to take over an existing Pilates studio and the rest is history.

Related: Read about another athletic entrepreneur here.

How do you define success? I define success as being able to help other people discover their zone of genius and create the business that supports the life of their dreams.

Biggest success: Opening a unique Pilates studio in the heart of Manhattan. Well that and being on Broadway 🙂

What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? When I initially moved into the space I was in a sublet situation with a man who leased the entire floor from the landlord. After doing some damage to the building he was getting evicted and didn’t have my initial deposit to return to me. He attempted to not pay me but I stood my ground and eventually got my money back.

Related: Secrets of Growth: How to Make Cash Reign Supreme 

When I took over the studio almost 4 years ago now, I knew from working in many other studios and gyms over the years what wasn’t working. Being an instructor and getting less than 40% of what the client was paying, struggling to not burn myself out and make enough to pay my rent, and then not having built a clientele of my own after years of loyalty- I saw that the system was broken. In response I structured my studio like a shared workspace for Pilates instructors where they could bring in their clients and make what they deserve without killing themselves.

Who is your most important role model? Right now I’m diggin on Seth Godin. 

[box_light]Website   www.formpilates.com 
Twitter   @formpilates 
Facebook   www.facebook.com/FORMPilatesNYC [/box_light]

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