We were lucky to catch up with Cat DeHaven recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cat, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you ever had an amazing boss? What did you learn from them? Maybe you can share a story that illustrates the kind of boss they were or maybe you can share your thoughts on what you think made them an awesome person to work for?
I have had the most amazing luck. The majority of my leaders have been inspirational, worthy individuals that deserve admiration.
Having had my first boss be a truly fantastic leader was by far the best thing that could have happened to me. Mary was her name and she ran fireworks tents, the kind you see pop up on the sides of highways, in shopping center parking lots and sometimes in open fields across the south and midwest. That’s right, I spent my high school summers schlepping cases of pyrotechnics, folding tables and 2x4s. But Mary showed me that no matter your role, you need to make time to connect with each team member. She made sure to get to know each of us as well as make time each season to do each job in the tent (at least for a little bit). Those two things together created a devoted team willing to work for their leader (and it was defiantly for the leader not the pay – it was minimum wage!). Never loosing track of a team member and the value they bring to the group is key. Showing the team you see them is even more powerful.
Later, when I managed large scale corporate events, the Catering Director taught me when not to jump in and help the team working under my direction. It was a particularly large event with a very tight turnaround. I remembered thinking we weren’t going to make it, that the room wouldn’t be ready for the banquet. I started helping to set tables and Bruce pulled me aside and said, “No, wait. They can do this by themselves. Then we celebrate the team’s hard work.” I had thought by helping I was chipping in and doing in the hard work with my team. Instead I was taking away some of their agency. When building a team that needs longevity, there is a balance to leadership. Knowing when to support and when to help. Bruce taught me to understand the difference.
Those two lesson’s from very different industries are transferable to any business’s team building. As a leader you must stay connected to your team and you must know when and how to support them.
Cat, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Core Havn provides strong, safe workouts for busy people. We are way more than a Pilates studio – we are science backed, incredibly efficient and expertly crafted workouts.
We live and die by 3 Ss – Strong, Safe, Successful.
Strong Core,
Safe Workout,
Successful YOU!
Core Havn combines classical pilates principles with modern exercise science to create effective workouts for each client. Our team is highly trained and partakes in continuing education to ensure that each class or private session leaves each participant feeling successful.
Our classes are small and each attendee is given personal attention throughout class. Our instructors plan classes based on the class roster to ensure each person gets their best workout. We thrive on community and love the sense of camaraderie inherent to good group fitness. Our instructor training process is rigorous and comprehensive. In an industry with very few regulations, we pride ourselves on surpassing industry standards.
How I found Pilates and Created an Authentic Brand
I was a high school athlete – Field Hockey and Crew. When I left for college I stayed active first at the gym and then at mixed martial arts/kickboxing gym. I loved that gym, the people I trained with and the rigorous full body workouts! I trained 6 days a week for hours at a time, until a sparing accident sent me for knee surgery. After surgery I was wary of exercise and busy with my new career after graduation. Soon I was out of shape and scared of exercise. After driving past a pilates studio on my way to work everyday for years, I finally went in. After that first visit I was hooked. I regained strength and confidence. I went back to running and lifting, I even joined the local Roller Derby team, but I never stopped doing pilates. Eventually, I went through a Teacher Training program and started teaching Pilates in addition to my 8-5. I loved it, but felt like something was missing. I wanted to know more about how the body works, what works the best, how to help the most people. I started going to more trainings, gathering more fitness certifications and eventually became a Master Teacher Trainer with several programs while teaching everything from indoor cycling to barre classes. When fitness took a big hit during the pandemic I used the time to revaluate what really meant the most to me. And so in June 2021, when most gyms were closing, I opened my first studio. 2 years later I opened my second location. We launched the CORE HAVN Instructor Training program and created the training manual I wish someone had given me. I took my 12+ years in the fitness industry and created the studio, class format, community and instructor training program that I hadn’t been able to find. Now, with more than 15 years in the fitness and wellness space, I still can’t wait to get up (at 4:30am) get ready to teach classes, work with new instructors and find ways to share the 3 Ss (STRONG, SAFE, SUCCESSFUL) with as many people as possible.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Personal recommendations and word of mouth.
Maintaining a stellar reputation and continuing to strive for excellence is how we continue to grow with very little spent on marketing.
Example: A client came up to me to after class the other day and said, “You know, we all talk about you in the pick-up line.” I must have had a bit of blank expression because she clarified. “No, not like that! It’s just you’re kind of a celebrity around here. We all always end up chatting about the last class we took at CORE HAVN, how you keep getting great instructors, and how cool it’s been to watch you grow the business. Every one just loves it here.” Of course I smiled and thanked her and told her how much I enjoy being part of the community that it makes me happy to hear that we are doing a good job. That type of evangelistic real world marketing is invaluable. Upping my digital ad spend won’t do me a bit of good without a superior reputation. That being said, location is key. If clients can’t get to you, then all the positive talk in the world won’t over come a bad location and you won’t be able to grow past that very small dedicated base.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
We have 2 cardinal rules when it comes to customer service communication.
1) Err on the side of generosity.
2) How would I like to receive this information.
If you walk into each situation assuming the other person has the best intentions, it is easy to be kind and generous. Perhaps, a client gets a complimentary class, what’s the worst thing they can say” “I had the most amazing workout and it was free!” Be generous and you will never regret it.
Contact Info:
- Website: corehavn.com
- Instagram: @corehavn
- Facebook: COREHAVN