We recently connected with Heather Daye and have shared our conversation below.

Heather, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Tenacity, a willingness to learn new skills, and the ability to pivot are really what it takes to be successful. New (and seasoned) entrepreneurs will always have failures on their journeys. Without strong determination and persistence people will just give up instead of pivoting and trying again with a different idea or tactic. You don’t need to have the best education or even the best networking connections, but you do need to be able to learn and be comfortable with failure before achieving a goal. Sometimes it’s a goal you did not even know you had when you began.

Becoming a small business owner is all about learning new skills to achieve success. Without that a business owner could be spending a lot more money on things they could have done themselves and financially blocking their path forward towards success. A desire and willingness to learn new skills is extremely important.

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 am the owner and Lead Instructor at Studio86 Fitness, a boutique studio offering Pilates, Jumping Fitness (mini trampoline), and Barre classes. I have been teaching Pilates for 13 years, Jumping Fitness for 8 years, and Barre for 5 years. I initially entered into this industry while working as a physical therapy aide in Los Angeles. I needed to become certified in Pilates to work there and ended up loving it! After a few years of teaching Pilates I became certified in Jumping Fitness and Barre. When I moved back to my hometown in Columbus, OH I decided it was time to open a studio to offer all these options in one space. The Pilates strengthening, Barre toning, and Jumping Fitness cardio are so complementary, and it really works well together.

Studio86 offers affordable in-person and livestream group and private sessions for ages 14+ and varying movement abilities. Many clients come to Studio86 to try something new, stay fit and healthy after a surgery/injury, or to just keep their bodies moving in a non-competitive environment. The studio has grown so much in just 3 years and developed into a wonderful, supportive, and accepting community both locally and across the country. You can come as you are to class without worrying about makeup or hair or wearing the trendiest fitness attire. We are a community of all gender identities and body types. Everyone is welcome because movement is for everyone.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Existing client referrals and word of mouth. You would think in a digital age it would be the opposite, but no, people still trust their friends and family the most. I offer a referral credit for this very reason. If an existing client brings a friend/family member and that friend/family member buys a package or membership both people get a free class credit.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Well, I opened Studio86 two weeks before the Ohio Covid shutdown in 2020. I had to learn how to livestream teach just like everyone else very quickly and incorporate that into my business model since I just opened. It worked so well I still offer hybrid group and private lessons. My new instructors are even learning how to teach both in-studio and livestream clients to be able to continue to offer this moving forward. I know many studios are still doing livestream as well, but many more did away with it when they could, and it left many people all over the country who just bought expensive equipment at a loss. We love having our livestream clients log on for class and they are a part of the group as if they were with us in person!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.studio86fitness.com
• Instagram: @studio86fitness
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/studio86fitness

Image Credits
Mari Provencher Autumn Theodore