It’s Family Business

Pilates Reformers Australia
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Behind every business is a story. The family behind Pilates Reformers Australia, an Australian family-owned Pilates equipment business, bring you the It’s Family Business Podcast. Join Adrian, Cheryl and Kirsten as they explore entrepreneurship, family, wellness and the realities of building a business together. Featuring conversations with business owners, founders and industry leaders; discover the lessons, challenges and stories behind the brands and people creating something meaningful.

  1. 3d ago

    Should You Start a Business With Your Partner? Lessons From a Husband-and-Wife Team

    When you run a business with your partner, how do you stop work from taking over your relationship—and your life? In this episode of It’s Family Business, Cheryl sits down with Nadine and Cameron Mawson, the husband-and-wife team behind Training Ground and Serenity Pilates & Saunas They share what happened when opening their doors turned into working seven days a week, doing everything themselves and having little energy left for life outside the business. From falling asleep at reception to learning when to hire help, their story offers honest lessons for anyone starting or running a business with their partner. We explore: Recognising burnout before working harder becomes counterproductive Hiring staff and learning to delegate Creating business systems your team actually follows Choosing booking software and using automation to ease the workload Managing cash flow without mistaking your bank balance for available money Defining roles and deciding who has the final say Setting boundaries so business conversations don’t follow you to bed Staying connected to your purpose and building a community you care about Whether you’re starting a small business, running a fitness facility, or navigating the challenges of working with your spouse, this conversation offers practical ideas for building a business together while making room for your relationship, wellbeing and life beyond work.

  2. Sep 18

    Build It to Leave It: Preparing Your Business for a Successful Exit

    Most business owners spend years thinking about how to start, grow and strengthen their business — but what about how they’ll eventually step away from it? In this episode, Cheryl is joined by small business consultant and author Ingrid Thompson to explore why your exit strategy shouldn’t be an afterthought. Whether selling your business is years away, already on your mind, or something you’ve never seriously considered, Ingrid explains why the decisions you make today can have a significant impact on what your business is ultimately worth — and whether there’s actually a business to sell when the time comes. Cheryl and Ingrid unpack what makes a business valuable beyond its physical assets, from recurring revenue and client retention to profitability, systems, processes and a strong team. They also discuss one of the biggest challenges for service-based businesses: building a business that isn’t entirely dependent on the owner. The conversation covers the signs it may be time to consider an exit, how businesses are valued, what needs to be in place before going to market, who you need on your advisory team, and how to navigate the often-sensitive process of communicating a sale or closure to employees and clients. And if selling isn’t an option? Ingrid shares why closing a business doesn’t necessarily mean failure — sometimes it simply means that chapter has reached its natural end. If you own a Pilates studio, health or wellbeing business, or any service-based business, this episode offers plenty to think about — whether your exit is two years away, ten years away, or not yet on your radar.

  3. Aug 18

    Email Marketing for Small Businesses: The Strategy You’re Probably Neglecting.

    Email marketing can be one of the most powerful tools in your business — but for many small business owners, it’s also one of the easiest to neglect. In this episode, Kirsten and Cheryl break down how to build an email marketing strategy that does more than send the occasional newsletter. From growing your email list and creating automated email sequences to nurturing customers, increasing retention and ultimately driving more sales, this discussion is packed with practical strategies you can put into action today! Using Pilates studios and boutique fitness businesses as real-world examples, we cover: How to grow your email list through website sign-ups, giveaways, collaborations and eventsWhy email marketing can be more valuable than relying on social media aloneThe essential automated email flows every small business should considerWelcome sequences, reminder emails and win-back campaignsHow segmentation and personalisation can improve engagement The 70/20/10 rule for planning email marketing contentHow often you should email your customersWhy it might be time to rethink the traditional monthly newsletterThe email marketing metrics that actually matter — including opens, clicks and conversions Whether you own a Pilates studio, fitness or wellness business, clinic, retail business or another small business, this episode will help you turn your email list into a valuable marketing channel that keeps your business connected with customers — even when you’re busy doing everything else. If email marketing keeps falling to the bottom of your to-do list, start here.

  4. Jun 19

    Employee, Owner, Founder: What People Never See Behind a Business

    What does a business really look like from different seats at the table? In this episode of It’s Family Business, we’re joined by Elise Burgess, daughter of Adrian and Cheryl. Having recently undertaken her own entrepreneurial journey, Elise brings a unique perspective on how business feels from both sides. Together, we explore how business looks completely different depending on your role as either an employee, a leader, a founder, or someone just starting out on their own. From misconceptions about working for your parents, to the unseen pressures business owners carry, this conversation unpacks what most people never get to see behind a small business. We dive into the realities of balancing family and work, the shift in mindset between being an employee and becoming a business owner, generational differences in the workplace, and the lessons that come from growing up around entrepreneurship. The Panel also touches on trust, leadership, delegation, workplace dynamics, and what it really takes to build and sustain a business. Whether you’re a young professional building your career, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a business owner navigating leadership and growth, this episode offers an honest look at the perspectives, pressures, and lessons that shape life inside a business. In this episode you'll learn about: • The biggest misconceptions about working in a family business • What changes when you step into ownership or leadership • The hidden responsibilities business owners carry behind the scenes • How different generations approach work and business differently • Why business looks completely different depending on your role • Lessons from growing up around entrepreneurship and building a business from the ground up If you’ve ever wondered what employees don’t see, what founders carry, or why people in the same business can experience it so differently, this episode is for you.

  5. May 21

    Why Family Business Works With Lizzie Renkert

    In this episode of It's Family Business, Cheryl sits down with Lizzie Renkert— founder of Lizzie Renkert Creative and former fashion magazine editor — to talk about the realities of running a business, working with family, and building a career that actually fits your life. Lizzie shares her journey from the fast-paced world of fashion publishing to co-founding successful fashion label We Are Kindred, before ultimately launching her own boutique creative agency focused on brand storytelling, marketing strategy, social media, content creation, and small business growth. Lizzie also shares powerful advice for aspiring business owners and creatives, including why experience matters, how to navigate uncertainty, and the importance of building a business that aligns with your lifestyle and values. If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, creative, marketer, working parent, or someone dreaming about starting your own business, this episode is packed with relatable insights and practical wisdom. 🎧 Listen now to hear an authentic conversation about family business, entrepreneurship, creativity, resilience, and finding success on your own terms.

  6. May 7

    From Startup to 40 Employees: The Reality of Running a Family Business

    What does it really take to run a successful family business with your partner—without it tearing your relationship apart? In this episode of It’s Family Business, we sit down with Dale and Kirsty Neale, owners of a thriving service-based business in the funeral industry, to unpack their journey from humble beginnings to building a 40+ staff operation. They share honest insights into: Scaling a business from scratch while raising a familyManaging a growing team and creating a strong workplace cultureNavigating the challenges of working with your spouseBalancing business demands with family life and personal prioritiesThe reality of 24/7 businesses and how it impacts relationshipsLessons learned from business failures, partnerships, and big risksDefining success—beyond money, status, and growthFrom “never saying no” in business to learning when to step back and prioritise family, this episode is packed with real, unfiltered advice for business owners, couples in business, and anyone thinking about starting a family-run company. Whether you’re scaling your business, struggling with work-life balance, or wondering how to successfully work with your partner—this conversation offers practical takeaways and relatable moments you won’t want to miss.

  7. Apr 7

    5 Ways to Build a Loyal Community in Your Fitness Business

    Building a strong community is one of the most powerful ways to grow a successful fitness business — yet many business owners struggle to move beyond transactional relationships with their clients. In this episode of It's Family Business, Cheryl and Kirsten share 5 practical strategies to help Pilates studios, boutique fitness businesses, and wellness brands build a loyal, engaged community that keeps clients coming back. Learn how to create meaningful connections with your members, increase client retention, and stand out in a competitive fitness market filled with franchises and discount-driven offers. Whether you're running a Pilates studio, gym, yoga studio, or wellness business, this episode will give you actionable ideas to transform your space into more than just a place to work out — but a place where clients feel seen, heard, valued, and part of something bigger. In this episode, you'll learn: The difference between transactional vs relational client experiencesHow listening to client feedback strengthens loyaltySimple gestures that create lasting member relationshipsWays to show value beyond discounts and promotionsHow to connect with your local community to grow your brandIdeas for events and touchpoints that encourage member connectionIf you want to improve client retention, strengthen brand loyalty, and build a thriving fitness community, this episode is for you. 🎧 Perfect for: Pilates studio owners, fitness professionals, boutique gym operators, wellness entrepreneurs, and small business owners wanting to build stronger customer relationships.

  8. Mar 23

    Protecting Your Pilates Investment: Why Equipment Maintenance Matters More Than You Think

    Following the success of a recent online webinar hosted by Pilates Reformers Australia on equipment maintenance, this episode continues the conversation — diving deeper into how to properly care for your Pilates equipment and protect your investment for the long term. In this discussion, Adrian shares practical insights from years of hands-on experience working with Pilates equipment, highlighting why regular maintenance is essential not only for preserving performance and longevity, but also for ensuring safety for every user. Through exploring key equipment components i.e. springs, clips, wheels and more, Adrian highlights the key warning signs to watch for, the most common maintenance mistakes, and the simple checks that can prevent costly issues down the track. Whether you’re a studio owner or a home user, you'll learn how small, consistent care can: significantly extend the life of your equipment, support warranty protection, and maintain the high-quality experience your clients expect.If you own Pilates equipment — or are considering investing — this episode will give you the knowledge and confidence to protect its performance, safety, and long-term value. Want to review our live Equipment Maintenance Masterclass? Access the Webinar recording here: pilatesreformersaustralia.com.au

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About

Behind every business is a story. The family behind Pilates Reformers Australia, an Australian family-owned Pilates equipment business, bring you the It’s Family Business Podcast. Join Adrian, Cheryl and Kirsten as they explore entrepreneurship, family, wellness and the realities of building a business together. Featuring conversations with business owners, founders and industry leaders; discover the lessons, challenges and stories behind the brands and people creating something meaningful.

Information

  • Creator
    Pilates Reformers Australia
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Pilates Reformers Australia
  • Show Website
    It’s Family Business

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