Rising Stars: Meet Shawna Beardsley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Beardsley.

Shawna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Shawna Beardsley! I tried mat pilates for the first time in 2006 with my sister. I started to fall in love with reformer Pilates in 2013 and was certified in 2015. A few years later I took ownership of Balance Pilates here in Tucson, AZ. We’ve survived separating from a franchise, and the pandemic and have grown to two locations! I am passionate about empowering our community and instructors to move fearlessly and teach fearlessly. Our studio is unique in the area because we are the first multilevel group reformer studio and also the first to teach large group reformer classes.

I couldn’t have done this alone! I rely a lot on my family and husband to support me as a wife, mother, and business owner. I have the utmost gratitude to my IBP team and the community of clients that support us.

My core values are freedom, adventure, and belonging. Every class you take at IBP is always innovative and adventurous! You’ll never take the same class twice. Maybe it’s the Aquarius in me that needs a sense of freedom but I also extend that to my instructors- I give them a general guideline to follow for teaching classes but I am here to support a creative and unique style that each person has to bring to the table.

And belonging is especially important to me because I’ve felt like I didn’t belong much of my life, through school and growing up. I believe each and every person that walks through our studio doors should be celebrated for their differences. Trying pilates can be very intimidating because it holds this aesthetic of what a body should look like. But our studio is different. We welcome and celebrate ALL bodies and ALL abilities. We have modifications and advancements for every person that comes in.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being an entrepreneur can feel like you’re holding the weight of the world on your shoulders. If you don’t show up every day with a hunger to survive and thrive then the ship will sink. I have a constant drive to learn, grow and evolve. I have to if I want to keep my doors open AND have a healthy business.

We’ve had our ups and downs but I’m quick to make changes and make the business and experience better.

Buying a preexisting business was a huge struggle and making small changes without rocking the boat too much was my goal. Obviously, I had to make changes to align with my values and the future of the business. I’ve learned that people really don’t like change and there will always be feedback. Being open to feedback and thanking people has been a huge lesson that has gotten me through those changes.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For my work, I wear many hats. CEO, marketing and advertising, pilates teacher, mentor, manager, content creator, janitor and maintenance, HR, etc. The list goes on! And with every role that I have to step into it takes a lot of research and development. I am constantly learning, reading, and listening to different resources to refine each role.

I think of all the hats that I wear I am most excited about the mentor role because I love empowering new teachers to become fearless instructors. It took me two good years to step into my confidence as an instructor because I was constantly battling my own internal imposter syndrome. I get really excited when the teachers who go through training with me step into their role on their first day and completely own it!

A lot of clients find us on Instagram and Facebook. I believe in the power of social media and our presence online has spiked a lot of interest in Tucson. IBP is definitely known for our creative and hardcore Pilates workouts! We love to share that with our community in the studio and online.

I am most proud of our growth as a studio. When I first took over IBP we weren’t in the best shape and our classes weren’t filling up. Now you have to pre-book classes a month in advance and our waitlist is poppin’!

What sets us apart from other studios is that we love a hardcore, kick-ass workout. We aspire to create a positive experience for every person that comes to our studio!

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I don’t know if I believe in luck. I know that this is something that is trending on TikTok right now. When I google the definition of luck it says, “success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions”.

I believe every action I take or don’t take affects my business every single day. And every single action is my responsibility. If I just left that up to chance then I think I’d be like a chicken with its head cut off hoping for the best.

In my position, I am constantly trying to improve and steer the business to success.

Pricing:

• Intro offer 5 classes for $50
• Single class drop-in $40
• 4/mo $99
• 8/mo $159
• Unlimited/ mo $199

Contact Info:

• Website: https://inbalancepilatestucson.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inbalancepilatestucson/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inbalancepilatestucson/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawna-beardsley-622476250
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/inbalancetucson
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shawnabeardsley_pilates
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/in-balance-pilates-tucson