Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Golden Zumann.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My husband, Matthew and I started our Pilates studio in our 12X10 dining room in Rogers Park in 2001. By the time, we had 2 kids and the business was growing, we moved the studio into a new space that we slowly expanded from 400 sq. ft. to 900 sq. ft. and began our Pilates Chicago Instructor Training program. This training program is a great pride of ours, as we have maintained an intimate mentorship atmosphere that this become lost in most Pilates training models. We now have 4 sons and are settled in to a 3000 sq. ft. studio on Clark Street in Edgewater and have included a Physical Therapy room with a gifted and experienced PT from Center for Balance.
I have a passion for continued education and have spent the past 20 years seeking out Master teachers and advanced education, from movement work to cadaver dissections. I am strong believer in always cultivating a sense of curiosity and to never stop learning and challenging my beliefs. The day I stop leaving my comfort zone in search of new learning, is the day to put me out to pasture!
My quest for education has allowed me to be recognized as an industry leader and educator of teachers worldwide. I have taught regularly at both conferences, online platforms, and magazine features to help bring other instructors to the next level. In 2016, we also launch our first satellite instructor training program at MPower Pilates in Sydney. This is an exciting new venture and I’m grateful to bring my passion for education across the globe with help of a trusted business partner.
Most recently, my newest step out of my comfort zone has been my diagnosis of breast cancer. I have been in chemotherapy treatment since Oct and am facing a bilateral mastectomy in the coming months. Cancer has had a remarkable affect on my ability to trust others, my co-workers, my family and my friends. All the small stuff melts away and what I am left with, are the gems that rise to the surface, no longer encumbered by the day-to-day business.
Now, I am inspired to learn more about the affects of surgery, scar tissue, and chronic illness. I am certain this has set a compass in my career and I am eager to see where it takes me.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Our first struggles were simply with location. When you don’t own a property, you are always at the whim of the building owner. With the collapse of economy, our landlord let the building go into foreclosure and we spent a few years working with the bank and waiting on a new buyer to negotiate a lease. The new buyer had other plans for condominiums, so we had to scramble to find a new space. After beginning building in a new location, we ran into permit problems with the new landlord’s building and had to come up with a temporary plan fast. We happened upon a fairly raw space that was willing to let us have a few months while we continued our other build out. Once we moved into the “temporary” space, it was clear that this was home! It was also clear that the previous landlord had no intention of repairing the code violations, so, we were glad to have found a better option.
My husband has now put in a massive amount of blood and sweat to building out our dream studio and we learned the path is not always a straight one but you have to follow the current. My advice to anyone opening a studio is to keep it simple and not let your self take on too much start up debt. We build our business slowly, adding another machine or two every couple years. That helped stay afloat during all of these unexpected and uncontrollable changes.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Pilates Chicago has been in business for 18 years, which is long for this sort of business. Because, we have been around for awhile and our instructors have so many years of experience and advanced education, we offer something beyond a typical Pilates workout. While we are all capable of giving people a challenging, traditional Pilates workout if that is their goal, but most of our clients come in to manage physical health issues. When someone has bulging discs, hip replacement, or recovery from childbirth workouts like tradition Pilates, cross fit or weight training may be great for awhile but can often manifest in injuries and lead back to sedentary life. What we do is take the conditions in to consideration to customize a healthy workout for these people so they can enjoy fitness longevity. Many of our clients have been referrals from PT or Chiropractors because the trust our work.
I am most proud of the overall atmosphere of our studio. We are very much a family and a community and I am told it is felt as soon as you walk in the door. We constantly have clients telling us how much they just enjoy being there. All of our instructors are unique. We have the same basic body of knowledge but our continued education has taken us on journeys all through the many branches of the movement education tree. Then we bring it all back and learn from each other. I have deep respect for all of our instructors. The collective atmosphere is what makes our business what it is.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up as a very extroverted performer. I began singing, dancing, and acting at age 3 and continued that into college. Pilates was first introduced to me in my college dance program and I instantly fell in love with it. I had always had an interest in healing arts and more ethereal concepts- I remember teaching myself to read palms and do astrology charts from the Mysteries of the Unknown book series when I was in Jr high!
After two years of college, I spend the summer in Greece with a theater company doing classical Greek theater. We worked a lot on using our energy to have impact. That is a required skill when performing in large amphitheaters with masks. I loved every minute of the classical theater experience, but when I arrived backed home I had a distinct feeling that that was the end of that chapter of my life. I felt a drive rising up to study alternative medicine and enrolled in a program to study Jin Shin Do acupressure along with continuing Pilates training. Eventually, went on to study Medicinal Herbalism, Chinese diagnostics, and Nutrition, as well. All of this educations informs my holistic view of the body.
I still use my performance skills when I teach classes and workshops!
Pricing:
- Private sessions $60-$75 ( after Introductory Pricing )
- Group Mat classes $15-$18
- Group Equipment classes $25-$32
Contact Info:
- Address: Pilates Chicago, Inc
- Website: www.pilateschicago.net
- Phone: 7732742673
- Email: info@pilateschicago.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pilates_chicago/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pilates-Chicago-121522029023/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pilates-chicago-chicago
- Other: https://fusionpilatesedu.com/dap/a/?a=9494 https://www.pilatesanytime.com/instructor-bio/108/Jennifer-Golden-Zumann-Pilates-Teacher
Image Credit:
PilatesAnytime.com, Michelle Koton and Kate Cummings
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