The deets:
Name: Elaine Starr
Business Name: Starr Pilates
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Describe your business:
Starr Pilates is a virtual boutique wellness studio pairing nutrition coaching with movement.
Tell us about your self-employment journey.
I started Starr Pilates in 2016. It was in a small studio over a Thai Food restaurant on Hollywood Blvd.
After a year and a half, the business grew and we moved to a storefront location on Melrose Blvd.
Three years in, the pandemic hit and the business pivoted to a virtual studio – with clients all over the world. I was also able to realize a long time dream of getting a Nutrition Certificate and adding nutrition coaching to the menu of services.
What area of your business are you most passionate about?
I’m so passionate about giving people the knowledge and resources they need to care for their bodies – in the best possible way for them.
Starr Pilates workouts can be done wherever, whenever. And our nutrition coaching is anything but one size fits all!
What’s the most valuable thing you learned early in your career that has contributed to your success?
If you’re inspired, then your clients will be inspired! I really try to bring an organic flow to my work – and let my intuition guide the process.
Are you part of any freelancer communities? Which ones and how do they support you?
Collective has been a huge help as well as the community of ambassadors at Carbon38 and the team at Bien Etre.
Collective helps me see ways I can grow and keeps me on track when the demands of the business pull me in many directions.
The Carbon38 brand is just so generous and inspirational.
Bien Etre is such a great resource for clients and practitioners alike in addressing mental and physical wellness.
What’s a recent project that you’ve worked on that you’re really excited about?
I recently got to dance in a big project for television that took everything I’ve learned to another level.
I can’t wait to share more! It’s just really exciting to connect physicality and emotion.
What advice would you give other self-employed people?
Outsource when you can! I’m very independent. I want to do everything myself. But, eventually, I realized working with other specialists was the only way I would grow.
How has forming an S Corp helped you level up your business?
Forming an S Corp has helped me understand how to allocate my resources so I can run my business more efficiently. Also having the Collective team behind me to answer any questions and help me structure my business just frees up so much mindspace.