We recently connected with Jacqueline Hinton and have shared our conversation below.

Jacqueline, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I moved to Los Angeles after college where I was a dance major and introduced to Pilates. After moving to Los Angeles, I worked retail for a while and then decided I wanted a changes. I decided to get my Pilates certification. It was a wonderful experience but, I saw a need for a cleaner Pilates experience. Pilates enthusiasts were coming in and out of the Pilates studio all using the same Pilates loops and putting their bare hands and feet in them one after the other. It just grossed me out! That’s when I came up with the idea of the personal Pilates loops. Oh, and why can’t they be cute too! Good Citizen personal Pilates loops was born. I knew this was a worthwhile endeavor because there was nothing like it. Plus, if I thought using the same loops as everyone was gross, there had to be others who felt the same way. I think the thing thing that got me so excited about this opportunity was having something of my own, changing the cleanliness of an industry and to help add some spice to the Pilates community which can have a very uninviting persona.

Jacqueline, 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?

I am a multi-disciplined performer, actor, professional dancer, choreographer, and entrepreneur in Los Angeles, CA. Originally from Austin, Texas and a third generation Mexican American, I started dancing at the age of three in ballet, tap, and jazz. Graduating from the University of Texas at Austin where I was introduced to Pilates, I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance and immediately following graduation, I moved to Los Angeles to purse her professional career performing in stage, film, and tv. When I first moved to Los Angeles, I worked in retail, taught dance and did odd jobs to keep busy between auditions, but I wanted something more fun and fulfilling, so I got certified in Pilates at Bodyline LA in Beverly Hills under the instruction of Maria Leone. I went on to teach at several gyms and Pilates studios around Los Angeles, but I most recently bought Good Body Pilates Studio in Santa Monica which is also our Good Citizen flagship store.

Good Citizen was created in my mind while I was getting certified in Pilates because I saw how many people were going in and out of the Pilates studio and putting their bare hands and feet in the same loops. It was just gross! I have been able to solve a big hygiene issue in the Pilates studios. Sweat, germs, dead skin and so much more can stay on the loops and they don’t get whipped down or cleaned between each client. What sets us apart from others, is that we were the first, we are woman owned and operated, and we add gorgeous bright colors that are a reflection of my Mexican American background. We are all about fun! What I want potential clients, follows, and fans to know is that we are truly a small business doing this for the love of helping the Pilates community stay healthier and add some fun positive energy to their practice. I am also very proud of how we have been able to give back to different non-profit organizations since starting Good Citizen, which is something that is super important in my life since I was a kid. We just want you to do Pilates, have fun, and be a Good Citizen!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience is something I discovered I have a lot of ever since I became a professional dancer, but my resilience was tested during the pandemic. Once the word pandemic was everywhere, everyone wanted their own personal Pilates loops. We were fully stocked with product in March and by April, we were sold out, our manufacturer had shut down because a Covid outbreak at their facility and we were basically out of luck. We had to wait for them to get up and running again, so we just took orders and we were transparent with our customers. We didn’t get caught up with orders and back orders for a year and a half. It was amazing and the most stressful time ever. We didn’t want to let anyone down, but the entire situation was totally out of our control. You can’t hear my now, but I just did a giant exhale! That time made me realize I can do anything!!

Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?

I most recently expanded my businesses and purchased Good Body Pilates Studio in Santa Monica, CA. I have been working at this studio for 12 years and the original owner was ready for a change. It was the perfect opportunity to do something new and keep this gorgeous, bright and airy studio opened for the amazing community that has been cultivated here. It was a pretty smooth process, because I am super close with the previous owner. I hired a lawyer and a consultant to walk me through everything which I highly recommend. It truly made my life so much simpler and stress free.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.goodcitizenla.com, www.goodbodypialtes.com, www.jackiehinton.com
• Instagram: @goodcitizenla @goodbodypilates @jackiehhinton
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodcitizenla, https://www.facebook.com/goodbodypilates, https://www.facebook.com/jackie.h.hinton
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/good-body-pilates-studio/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/good-citizen-la/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-hinton-bb8b6954/
• Twitter: @goodcitizenla @goodbodypilates @jackie_hinton
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/good-body-pilates-santa-monica-3

Image Credits
Dana Patrick Justin Hinton