A Year in Gladstone with Kim

This term I had the pleasure of chatting with Kim, the Gladstone studio owner about Gladstone’s first birthday party, how the studio’s first year has been and how Kim’s first year as a franchisee has been. I hope you all enjoy hearing about her PhysiPole success story as much as I have.

How has Gladstone’s first year been and how has your first year as a franchisee been?

The first year has been a pretty full on experience, but a year later I am really glad that I made the decision to talk to Kristy about owning my own studio. The first year is always the hardest, but we’re doing well. We’re slowly growing our numbers and increasing our family. We went through some renovations and installed some much needed aircon and have tried to create a second home for people. Our first year can only be described as a success.

What made you decide to open your own studio and has it been challenging doing so in another state while still working full time?

This may seem strange to some as starting a business is usually about generating profit and earning a living for yourself. Although that is an added benefit, its not my motivation. When I started as a student with PhysiPole, it helped shape me into a different person. Not just physically but mentally. I got stronger, fitter and lost a heap of weight, but I also became happier, more confident, less anxious and found the most amazing friends when I joined this family. Pole dancing changed my life for the better. I wanted to open my own studio so I could spread that environment so other students could experience and achieve their own amazing success stories and feel amazing about themselves. It’s all about spreading the love.

How was Gladstone’s first Birthday party? Did you have guest performers, workshops or trials?

Our birthday was a lot of fun. We had cupcakes, performances and basically a big pole jam with the students. A couple of instructors and one of our junior elite students performed. We also had a special guest performance by Tammy Grindlay ‘BamBam’ who is last years Miss Pole Dance QLD. She was kind enough to stick around the entire weekend and ran a few workshops on the Sunday. It was a very eventful weekend and everyone had a lot of fun.

Tell us about your team up in Gladstone.

My team consists of Vicki, Bianca and Khilea. Running the studio wouldn’t happen without them. They love their students and are always helping with running and setting up any events or things we do at the studio. And their all very passionate about pole.

What’s on the horizon for Gladstone over the next 12 months?

There are a million things I’d like to do and achieve, but our main focus for 2018 will be aerials. We’re in the process of working with the engineer working out what’s involved to get everything installed.

Do you have any advice for people who may be looking to join the Physipole Franchisee family and open up their own studio?

Surround yourself with good people! A good support system is important. If you have people who are negative or don’t have your best interests at heart, it feels like you’re fighting an uphill battle and everything is so much harder than it should be. When you surrounded be people who support you and help you and share in your goals and interests everything just falls into place!

Again, massive thank you to Kim for sharing not just her personal pole journey but that of her studio as well. I look forward to seeing what the Gladstone PhysiPolers achieve this year.

If you are interested in opening your own studio and joining the PhysiPole Franchise more information can be found on our website or by joining the Franchise information Facebook group which is called “PhysiPole Studios Franchisee Information”.