Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzy Levi.
Hi Suzy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my business in September 2006, right in my basement. At the time, I was working for a fitness company and also training private clients in their homes. I loved movement and wanted to create a more personalized, connected experience, something that felt less transactional and more transformative.
So, I decided to begin offering Pilates, barre, and fitness classes in my home studio. I made a simple flyer, passed it around my neighborhood and among friends, and was overwhelmed by the response.
From the beginning, I led with one simple belief taken from Joseph Pilates:
Change happens through movement—and movement heals.
That philosophy became the foundation of everything that followed, shaping what would grow from a small basement studio into a thriving community built on strength, curiosity, and transformation through mindful movement.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Owning a small business has never been a smooth or predictable road. Managing expenses, maintaining cash flow, and finding funding for growth have all brought their share of challenges. But through creativity, persistence, and a belief in our mission, we’ve always found a way to make things happen.
One of our biggest breakthroughs came when I realized that developing a Teacher Training Program could solve two challenges at once—building a pipeline of highly qualified instructors while also creating a new and sustainable revenue stream. What began as a solution to a staffing problem evolved into a cornerstone of our growth and success.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the owner of Defining You Pilates & Fitness, a boutique studio dedicated to helping people transform through movement. We offer engaging group Pilates equipment and mat classes, barre, strength, and spin classes, as well as private Pilates and functional training sessions designed to meet every client where they are.
Beyond the studio, I lead Defining You Consulting, where I help other wellness and studio owners start, manage, and scale their own businesses with clarity and confidence. I’m also the founder of a comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Program, which not only trains future instructors for my studio but has now evolved into a white-label system—allowing studio owners worldwide to launch their own high-quality teacher training programs under their own brand.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
As a small business owner, I’ve learned that growth always involves taking calculated risks and bold leaps of faith. Whether it’s expanding our studio space and trusting that we’ll fill it, hiring new team members to support a bigger vision, or forecasting for the future, every decision requires both strategy and belief.
Then came the challenges of COVID when we were forced to close our doors twice and faced the unknown. In those moments, we chose perseverance over fear. We adapted quickly, introduced virtual classes, and stayed connected to our clients in new ways. To my amazement, our community showed up, first online, and then back in person with even greater appreciation for movement and connection.
Owning a small business means constantly stepping into uncertainty—but it’s also what makes it exciting. Every challenge brings innovation, and every risk creates the possibility for something greater than before.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.definingyoufitness.com and suzylevi.com
- Instagram: @definingyoupilatesandfitness
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzy-levi-08947556/
