We were lucky to catch up with Alli Cavanagh recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alli, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I get asked about success a lot, and it’s taken a few years for me to really pinpoint why what I’m doing has worked. The truth is, I always saw it as “working,” even from day one. As a new Pilates and meditation teacher in 2021, I had no clue where to start. Nobody knew who I was. I was okay with that. I would spend about 5x more money than I was bringing in from teaching just to rent random spaces and bring people together. There were many classes where 1-5 people would come. Again, I was okay with it. I just kept going. I never thought to myself “this isn’t gonna work.” That just wasn’t in my vocabulary and still isn’t.

I don’t consider myself a “businesswoman.” Now, when people ask what it takes to have a successful business, I can confidently say that it’s the risk taking gene. You’ve gotta crave risk and be okay with it. Don’t think too much about numbers in the beginning, don’t read all the “how to open a yoga studio” books. They’ll scare you and become an excuse to delay starting. Success is not being afraid to take the plunge. Success is believing that what you’re doing is “working.” Because what does that even mean anyway?! If you don’t believe it, no one else will.

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.

Hi! I am a Pilates and meditation teacher, Reiki Master, and wellness studio owner in Philadelphia, PA (specifically, Fishtown). I got into this work after a dark night of the soul in college…yup, here we go, classic “I hit rock bottom” story. But hey, it really was that way. I treated my body horribly, I was sick in my mind, and I had no where to go but up. I was worrying the people that loved me most, and I wasn’t sure how to start climbing out of the hole. One day, I said okay fuck it, and went to the closest Yoga studio in downtown State College. I thought, this is what all the happy “woo woo” people are doing, right?! It better fix me.

I vividly remember walking up the steps to the studio to a smell that I can now identify as Palo Santo, and thinking, “just be open to this shit.” I was SO negative back then…this was a big step for me. That 60 minute mindful yoga class ultimately shaped who I am today. It opened up so many mental blocks to create space and release for the trauma I’d been holding onto for years. I knew I had to keep going and eventually, share this work.

I continued exploring, trying new things, dragging myself to random meditation classes, looking for answers. I eventually got my teaching certification in 2020 and from then on out, I’ve been sharing this stuff with the world. In 2022, I left my corporate career to go for it full time and in 2024, I took the biggest risk of my life and opened the studio I needed when I was struggling most.

We provide Pilates, yoga, meditation, freedom, dance and a variety of workshops to help you embody and step into your highest self. We’re a space of exploration and curiosity. I am most proud of the expansive and connected community we’ve been able to cultivate — it’s a home away from home for many.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’ve always been an oversharer – for better or for worse. When I began sharing my wellness and teaching journey on social media in 2020, I don’t even think I was ready for the level of vulnerability that I would be sharing. I would really GO THERE. Sharing the dark moments, light moments, funny things, ideas, all of it. Nothing was off limits. I’ve definitely tailored some things back since then, but at the time, it felt right, and I think it’s what launched me into a lot of opportunities. A lot of young women especially felt connected to me, as I did to them.

If you want strong social media presence as an individual, here’s my blanket (and maybe harsh) advice, lol:
Don’t censor yourself. Be who you are. No filters. Ramble about shit. Who cares what you look like? When you’re scared to press “post,” that’s when you need to do it the most. Less thinking, more intuition.

If it feels really overwhelming, you’re trying too hard. SORRY!!! LOVE YOU.

Any advice for managing a team?

I have 16 teachers on my team and many workshop facilitators (about 10) each month! So I’ve got a lot to manage, and I love it. Here’s what I’ve discovered works:
— Your employees aren’t your friends when it comes to work talk. Stand your ground, be open to their perspective, compromise is the sweet spot.
— OVER COMMUNICATE. No one has ever gotten upset about that, but undercommunicating often causes issues.
— Don’t beat around the bush. You’re the boss, act like it. Say what you mean/what you need clearly and directly.
— GIVE BACK! Your team is there to support you, show them your gratitude. Find times to create special moments and treat them for working to keep your business alive and well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://inflowwstudio.com
• Instagram: @inflowwstudio or @inflowwithalli
• Other: Tik Tok @inflowwithalli

Image Credits

Please credit for my headshot @kiernanromephoto
Please credit for studio photos (prop wall and class in session in industrial space) @slckrtyler
Please credit for retreat photos in yoga shala (B&W photo and after) @capturedbybrie