Let people see your process of building your business. Put it out there and share the journey so others can see how its done…It doesn’t happen overnight.
Conni Ponturo is a leading authority in the field of pain-free living, which includes the power of creating a harmonious connection of mindset, Pilates, and meditation. Respected for her unique approach to transformational movement Conni Ponturo teaches her clients to flourish at every stage and age of their life. As an acclaimed and enthusiastic speaker, her greatest joy is to share her knowledge, actionable practices, and creative ways to keep people living pain and injury free.
Owner of the highly regarded Absolute Pilates Upstairs, in Woodland Hills California, Conni serves as an innovative transformational movement and lifestyle coach. Her first book “Falling into Joy – eight simple steps to allow your body to become your best friend,” is a joyful and encouraging book that shines the light on the real source of joy and ways people can easily gain access to it in every area of their lives.
Her expertise in rehabilitative training makes her highly sought after by the medical community for her ability to create a safe environment for recovery from hip replacements, spinal fusions, knee replacements and other serious injuries. Conni holds multiple certifications, from Pilates Method Alliance, Balanced Body, and the Physical Mind Institute. She is certified as a Breast Cancer Exercise specialist with the Pink Ribbon Program.
Where did the idea for your business come from?
I knew I wanted to open my own studio after teaching for someone else. I knew the vision I wanted to create in my own studio. Absolute Pilates Upstairs came out of that vision.
What does a typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I am up at 5:30 am and first I do mediation, followed by my brainstorming for my day, and articles I need to write. Do I need to connect or send my speaker sheet out to a new client? Then I go teach Pilates.
How do you bring you ideas to life?
Sometimes a client will say they would like a different kind of class, or a workshop, and that me makes me jump on a new idea and implement it immediately. Or maybe I’ll get an idea for an article or a talk I want to give. Sometimes an idea comes out of thin air, and I always try to jump on it before it disappears.
What’s one trend that excites you?
In terms of health and wellness, people taking more self-care of their bodies. Using the foam roller, meditation, and listening to their bodies.
What’s the one habit that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Getting up at 530am, meditating, and then getting to my ideas, writing an article, thinking of new YouTube videos. Getting my best work done in the morning.
What advise would you give your younger self?
RELAX and do it anyway.
Tell us something that’s true that no one else agrees with you on?
I know the world we live in is a wonderful and joyous place to be. There are a lot of things to worry about, but I choose to deal with all the great things in my life.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Build relationships with people, don’t sell, become friends and get to know what they need. It will come back to you. It is all about relationships.
What is the one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how?
Staying true to what I do. In a 5-mile radius there are 25 Pilates studios, but I have stayed true to my teaching, keeping my classes small and giving initialized attention, writing articles and giving out solid information for over 11 years.
What is the one failure you had as an entrepreneur and how did you overcome it?
I had a large Pilates studio and the rent was very expensive. I left and downsized my business. It was the scariest and best thing I’ve done. I was afraid I would lose my clients, but 90% came with me. I brought down my overhead and I could breathe again.
What is the one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Let people see your process of building your business. Put it out there and share the journey so others can see how its done. It shouldn’t be such a mystery, new entrepreneurs need to know it doesn’t happen overnight.
What is the best 100 you have recently spent? What and why?
I recently did a new workshop in my studio called “Your Motivational Why” I spent the 100 on supplies and food for the day. Great workshop and it sent me off on a new outlet for my work.
What is the one piece of service that helps you be more productive?
Using Mind Body online to book appointments, take money and keep track of our clients. It allows for me to deal with clients from anywhere because there is a business app on my phone.
What is the one book our community should read and why?
“Crushing it” by Gary Vaynerchuk Get over yourself, work as hard as I do and don’t wait for the money, love what you do.
What is your favorite quote?
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Neal Donald Walsh. I make my clients put this in their phone as a reminder.
Key Learnings:
- Get up early and do your brainstorming.
- Build relationships with people.
- Stay true to what you do best.
- Share yourself with the world, your ups and downs, let them see the process.
- Love the work you do, and the money will follow.
Connect:
absolutepilatesupstairs.com
Conni Ponturo on Facebook:
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Conni Ponturo on Linkedin:
Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.