We were lucky to catch up with Lynda Lippin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lynda, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In 2005 I owned an award-winning Pilates studio and was invited by a Pilates client to teach a Pilates mat training in Turks & Caicos. I went, and while we were there my husband (a chef) and I both received job offers. In a very uncharacteristic move, we said YES!

He had 3 weeks to job start, and I had a few months before my job started. I managed to sell my house, cars, Pilates studio, furniture and books, and we moved to the Caribbean with 3 cats, a few suitcases, and one pallet of stuff. It was awesome!

In 2007 I was offered a position at Parrot Cay, an A-list private island resort, and hubby also received an offer. That year we downsized again, and moved over to the smaller island. This was the life changing job that connected me with A-list clients and showed me how to work with them. I learned all about 5 star service.

When we moved back to NYC in 2012, I was able to maintain many of those client relationships, some of which I still have today. This risk had great reward, and I’m so glad we took the chance.

Lynda, 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?

For over 34 years, my clients (including Donna Karan, Laurie Anderson, and Joe Walsh) have trusted me to help them get stronger and function better, with less pain. Former Financial Times travel editor Rahul Jacob says that I’m the best Pilates teacher he’s ever worked with.

When I was an undergraduate at SUNY Purchase, I started taking Pilates class in 1986, and loved it. The dance department had a studio that was partially funded by student government, so classes were affordable for students. I was a philosophy major and VP of Finance, and first went in to see what they were doing with their money.

In graduate school at Temple, I had a teaching assistantship in Philosophy, and also started teaching Pilates part time in 1989 (I was the only applicant who knew what a reformer was). It kept me sane and grounded, and helped me manage stress, and chronic pain and inflammation from severe endometriosis. In fact, Pilates has helped me get through autoimmune issues, multiple surgeries, a total abdominal hysterectomy, car and boat accidents, sciatic pain from multiple rounds of shingles, long COVID, and arthritis in my hips, spine, and feet.

I’ve had the honor of training Pilates teachers since 2000 with the PhysicalMind Institute and Real Pilates Teacher Training, and currently mentor teachers in my Pilates Teacher Mastermind®, and I’ve won several awards. I currently specialize in Strong Bones Pilates™ – osteoporosis-safe online workouts and chronic pain management for women 50+.

I live in lower Manhattan with my husband of 30 years and our rescue dog, Juniper Peanut. In my spare time I color, knit, crochet, read fiction, and enjoy walks with Juniper.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Strong customer service, consistently showing up and teaching great Pilates, and work of mouth. Most Pilates teachers are so embedded in social media and online outreach, that they forget how important care and service are. Even online, folks are looking for a Pilates teacher who is clear, effective, and consistent.

Ask your current clients for testimonials, written or video. Share them!

Start a referral program, where you offer clients a fixed amount or percentage when they make a referral.

Offer current clients a free session if they send in a friend who buys a package.

And, when you post online or email, offer value and not just selling.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Once you know Pilates, it’s important to work on cuing, people skills, safety, and self-practice. Keep taking sessions, doing continuing education, and finding mentors and communities that support and serve you.

Don’t put all your eggs in one program’s basket. Try different apparatus, different studios, and incorporate new things in your bag of Pilates tricks.

Remember that your clients are the most important thing! Keep them safe and feeling great, and they’ll come back and bring their friends.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lyndalippin.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/lyndalippin
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/lyndalippinpilates
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/lyndalippin
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lyndalippin
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/lyndalippinpilates

Image Credits
Lynda Lippin