The Candid Manager - Kim Kraushar, Interlude Spa
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| Kim Kraushar | |
| Interlude Spa | |
| Dartmouth, Nova Scotia | |
| www.interlude.com | |
How did you become a fitness club manager?
I have a kinesiology degree and have worked in the exercise/dance field all of my life. My husband, Brent and I had an opportunity to get involved with his mother, Ruth Kraushar, 15 years ago. Ruth had established a strong clientele base over her years as a very successful salon/spa owner, so the business was in a position financially to invest in creating a Pilates studio. We knew it would be an excellent complement to our existing services, and our clients were ready and waiting for it. With my background and Brent’s love of the industry he grew up in, it was a perfect fit. Today my focus is running and managing the fitness side of the business and operating three licensed certification schools – STOTT Pilates, Yamuna Body Rolling and CARDIOLATES®.
What’s the smartest thing you ever did?
Getting involved with STOTT, being the first in the Maritimes to offer a comprehensive Pilates program for the general public and providing an opportunity for other health and fitness professionals to become certified. We had originally established ourselves as a personal training studio but needed to create a niche to distinguish Interlude Spa from other exercise facilities. We’re still, 15 years later, the only day spa facility in the Maritimes with comprehensive exercise services.
What’s the biggest mistake you made?
A mistake would mean that I have regrets and, as it stands now, I have no regrets. I’ve had the privilege of working with Ruth, an amazing entrepreneur who advised me along the way and supported Brent and me in all of our business decisions. I think our biggest lessons learned from working with Ruth as a mentor is to trust your gut and not to be afraid to take a risk.
What’s been your biggest challenge as a manager/club owner?
Initially, one of the biggest challenges was building a team of mind/body specialists who were interested in making the educational investment in a career in the fitness field. In the Maritimes, many instructors teach part-time because they love the industry. But they didn’t consider full-time teaching as a viable career. It’s taken some time, but I now have an amazing team of mind/body trainers who enable me to grow our programs without having to do it all myself.
What have you discovered to be the key to effective leadership?
Honouring, respecting and sharing with the people I work with. I am so passionate about what I do, and the people who are attracted to work in the studio share that passion. I value their skills and talent and strive to provide a forum where they can grow and do what they love.
What do you like most about this business?
You must live the talk. You constantly need to evaluate where you are in your own practice. Are you following all of the great advice you so easily dispense to your participants? I feel fortunate to come into contact with a wide range of interesting and inspiring people at different places in their lives who value what I do and give me the opportunity to play a role in their wellness program.
What’s the best piece of advice you could give to other club owners and managers?
Never lose sight of why you got involved in the industry in the first place, and never forget to nurture yourself. People who work in a high-end, service-based business will have days where they feel all of their “giving” energy has been drained away. That’s when you take your own advice and take time out to decompress and recharge.
What plans do you have for the future?
We are continuing to grow, expand and refine what we do. Personally, I’m hitting the presenter circuit a little more in the future (Can-Fit-Pro, IDEA, Inner IDEA) and hope to keep growing in this direction. I love our intimate Interlude teaching environment. But to present and share with my peers in a larger forum is an invaluable opportunity to make an impact on the industry in a substantial way.
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