Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Wagner.
Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I happened upon pole dance on social media when I was 29 years old. An artist at heart, I desperately wanted to try it but because I’m from a small town, my options were limited- not to mention I was terrified. Shortly after my 30th birthday, I decided it was “now or never,” and attended my first class. I was so nervous that I was physically shaking in that class. I remember being in awe of the instructor as she moved with such grace- even in our warm up. Regardless of my nerves, I was hooked. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was actually excelling in physical activity- AND I was enjoying it. I continued to go to classes regularly and leveled up quickly. By 8 months into my pole journey, I had my first pole performance and a year later was in my first competition. By 2019, I was getting tired of making the 1-hour trip each way and was ready to branch out and have my own personal pole space. I found a small space in a basement of a commercial building and decided to make a little side business by teaching people in my community. Unfortunately, 2020 hit and the business was put on pause but I continued to find solace in having my own personal getaway to practice my art. In the meantime, I worked through and successfully completed my fitness certifications.
In 2021, I reopened the studio and gained a nice handful of students. We formed our own little community and the space was finally feeling like an actual business. But, it was a tiny space and lacked the space and pole heights I needed to really promote business and bring it to its fullest potential.
In the summer of 2022, I started looking for a bigger space where I could train for competitions AND teach a larger group of people. I landed a space shortly thereafter and we are on the cusp of reopening a rebranded, fresh pole and fitness studio in my small town!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Obviously, 2020 put a damper on the business but I had made a small investment on my first studio so it did not create a financial struggle. I also have a full time job at a bank so this job is my “side hustle.” The biggest struggle with owning a business has been trying to balance my family and work life. As a mom, trying to balance my full time job, being a mom, a wife and having a business while still trying to fit in my own hobbies has created some time management struggles for me. But I try really hard to set time aside for the things that mean the most to me- my family. It’s a work in progress though!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve been practicing pole for over 5 years now- 2 of those years I’ve spent teaching. I’ve also competed and placed at a handful of competitions. I received my ACE Group Fitness Certification in 2020 and completed pole instructor training in 2021- but I’m never finished learning. I’m always listening to trainings or seeking other ways to learn about fitness and pole dance.
Being in the pole community and being from a small town has been a challenge. The opportunities to train in the Winona area are next to none. So, I’ve spent substantial time traveling to studios within the state to train with professionals and have made many friends and connections because of this!
Our new studio is the only studio of its kind within a 100-mile radius. With this in mind, our students and community have the ability now to train both in pole and cross-train in other fitness classes. With four competition height poles, we can provide larger classes and also can help students create competition pieces here in the area rather than have to travel long distances each week to train.
I am proudest of the community that we have started to create here in Winona – people from all walks of life are coming together with a connection of wanting to express themselves through artistic dance with the added benefit of working out and getting fit. Seeing students come to their first class and then watching them grow not only in physical strength but also in confidence outside the studio in their professional careers and family lives has been such a positive experience.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
As a kid, my older cousin was in hockey and I absolutely loved going to his games. Not only that but I was OBSESSED with figure skating. I wanted to be in hockey but there were no girl leagues at the time. I was a tiny framed kid and my parents were terrified to put me in a league with a bunch of “rough” boys. So, they put me in figure skating. I loved it and I was good at that too! At the end of the season, we had a showcase for our families and I got to be the lead skater in our group. Whenever I hear the song “California Dreamin” by the Mamas and the Papas, I still think of that performance!
Pricing:
- 1x Class $17
- 4x Classes $60
- 8x Classes for $105
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.vagaro.com/perceptionbodyandpole
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceptionbodyandpole/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerceptionBodyAndPole
