Independent Pilates studios face unique pressures today. On one side are the big-box gyms with their high-volume reformer classes. On the other, medical rehab models, as part of the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. In between, studio owners are asking: how do we stand apart while staying true to our unique heart and part of Pilates?
In this second conversation with Carla Ricalis, Co-Founder and Director of Studio3 in Toronto, we explore the realities of running a Pilates studio in a shifting marketplace. Carla brings decades of perspective, from training with Moira Stott in the 90s, to opening training centres across continents, to building her own thriving studio business.
Together, we get curious about:
- The strengths and pitfalls of privates, semi-privates, and group models.
- Why belonging and habit-building matter more than drop-ins.
- The challenges of recruiting instructors and maintaining standards post-COVID.
- How our niche industry could be moving from fragmentation to unity.
👉 Subscribe to The Pilates Business Podcast so you don’t miss Part 3 of this conversation with Carla, releasing in a couple of weeks.
Connect with Carla Ricalis
LinkedIn: Carla Ricalis
Website: https://www.studiopower3.ca/
Connect with David Gunther via Linkedin
Website: https://www.pilatesbusiness.com.au/
Facebook: Pilates Business
Youtube: @pilatesbusiness1126
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