Episode 22: Jaci Spagnolo, founder of Feel Good Pilates on how her business was affected by Covid and what she did to pivot
“I love encouraging others to follow their dreams and take the risk. What’s the worst that can happen?”
-Jaci Spagnolo, founder of Feel Good Pilates
Episode 22 is a story of an entrepreneur that started a Pilates studio from the ground up, was building momentum, and then boom. Coronavirus happened. Jaci Spagnolo, the founder of Feel Good Pilates in Austin, Texas walks us through what it was like leading up to the opening of her studio, how Covid impacted her business and ultimately, what she did to tackle the issue and stay afloat despite having to “close” her original brand. Don’t miss this inspiring story of being smart, scrappy & collaborative in order to pivot and maintain the upward momentum. You’ll have to listen in to hear what Jaci did to pivot! Enjoy.
In this episode, we talk about:
a little bit about her background and how she first got into fitness
what Pilates teacher training was like
how she had the idea to open up her own Pilates studio and then how she actually did it
how she and her husband did a lot of the buildout at the studio & all the thoughtfulness that went into every little detail
how Covid impacted Feel Good Pilates and what she did to cope with it
the trouble with re-opening at 25% at a small boutique studio
what she did to pivot (by approaching another local Pilates studio)
how things are working with the new arrangement
what she thinks the future of boutique fitness will look like
her favorite virtual fitness platforms
All about Jaci:
After years of working in a corporate office, Jaci began to feel the effects of her demanding desk job on her body. She began searching for some relief through exercise when she stumbled upon Pilates. After noticing the impact of the method on herself, Jaci immediately knew she wanted to share her knowledge and newfound passion with others! She loves that Pilates can be adapted to different bodies/fitness levels making it an ideal exercise no matter the person. Jaci opened Feel Good Pilates in Austin Texas in 2018 and was able to create a space that was welcoming, inspiring, accessible, and affordable. She has since merged with another local Pilates reformer studio called Align, and still teaches Pilates, just under the new Align brand.
Where to find Jaci:
Jaci’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/jacispagnolo/
Align East’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/alignaustineast/
Book a class with Jaci: https://www.alignaustin.com/align-east
Other resources we mention:
The Ara Movement Virtual: https://www.thearamovement.com/
Session Pilates Virtual: https://sessionathome.vhx.tv/
If you enjoyed this episode, please head to Apple podcasts, subscribe (so you’ll see each new episode!) and leave a review and a rating: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fitness-insider/id1485908967#see-all/reviews. This helps others discover my podcast and also provides me with some much needed feedback :)
If you’d like to follow along updates with this podcast, be sure to follow me here:
