We were lucky to catch up with Lena Hanchard recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lena , thanks for joining us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

I was in a bad marriage and taking care of a sick parent and needed something besides therapy to help me get through it. I started going to a pole studio 20 min from me on Friday nights with a girlfriend or 2 back in 2014. I eventually started going 3 times a week to studios that were over an hour away. My mother passed away in 2016 and I filed for divorce in 2017. I turned my office area of my bedroom into a mini pole studio and it continued to be my therapy while going through a nasty 3 year divorce. I decided to inquire about teaching classes locally in 2019 but Newnan did not have any pole or sensual movement based studio so I had to rent spaces out of town to teach classes which was expensive and not where I wanted to teach. I decided that I would have to think outside the box and found a dance center locally that let me rent out space to teach sensual chair and Pole. I knew that women needed this outlet. I just needed them to get to a class to see. However one stage pole was a job to set up and break down eventually a room became available 2019. I was let go from my 14 year office job in 11/2019 and opened up Closet Poler Studio 1/4/2020. The pandemic hit 2 months after opening. I shut down and did virtual classes in my home studio for a while. I survived the pandemic and the business is still growing. I have hired and is currently training passionate former students to help me see the vision of Closet Poler.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’ve been a poler for over 10 years and teaching for 3 years I’m also Xpole certified to teach Lyra Aerial hoops and currently working on certification for Low Lyra Stiletto. Closet Poler is a boutique Alternative fitness Studio.

We are different because we are a women’s only studio and non competitive. This studio was made for the everyday women to feel good! The studio welcomes ALL women of all ages shapes and sizes. We have a class for you if you are looking to find, get back or just honor your sensuality. We offer Intro, Beginner, Beginner Advance and Intermediate Pole, Sensual Chair, Floor based Sensual classes, aerial hoops, Pole parties; workshops-After Dark party classes, Sip n Strokes, Vision board Workshops and Curated for you experience.

What I’m most proud of is when I see women come into the studio from broken relationships, childhood trauma, low self esteem, body image issues etc. and blossom into confident strong bad asses it reminds me why I created Closet Poler!

Closet Poler also encourages sisterhood of like minded women. It’s a place for women to let their hair down or out lol. It’s the “me-time” that we all need to get us through the week.

Because we are a small studio I get to know my regulars and find out great things about them. Some have great talents or a small business and don’t know where to start or they think it has to be perfect before they launch it. I push them to just do it! We have a vendor event at the studio every summer and encourage them to set up their table and work it!. They are in a safe place so it helps them to get their feet wet.

Closet Poler is an experience and I am mostly proud of our reviews it tells the story of how the studio makes women feel. I am proud to be the owner, instructor and student. If sensual movement and alternative fitness classes are your thing and your visiting Newnan GA, Closet Poler should be on your bucket list.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

You can have all the training in the world but if you loose the passion your selling yourself and business short. In this field you can get burned out so its important to take breaks and get away so you can be the best for your team and each other.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Team meeting, Team Meeting and Team building activities. The company is only 3 this year and this year is the year I really started building my team. I Know that communication, team work, new ideas and getting your team the training and or tools they need to succeed is important.

Each team member in this company knows their strong points and that they are valued. Again we are still a new company and reality is that you may have to let some people go. When a team member is no longer in line with your vision they will need to leave so they can pursue whatever that is for them. Always remember it’s just business nothing personal.

Contact Info:

• Website: closetpoler.com
• Instagram: @Closetpoler
• Facebook: @Closet Poler
• Other: tiktok closetpoler

Image Credits
Jessica Thompson Bermuda black girls pole retreat 2019