Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jen Bergren.
Hi Jen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I have always enjoyed being physically active. Growing up, I loved riding my bike, horseback riding, gymnastics, dance, and track. In college, I was part of the Mankato Dance Company for two years and continue to dance today. As I got older, I enjoyed Tae Bo, kickboxing, and aerobics classes.
My passion for Pilates began more than 25 years ago after watching Mari Windsor’s videos on TV. In 2006, I made a career change from working in long-term care as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) to a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT).
I earned my personal training certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and started working for LifeTime Fitness in Plymouth, Minnesota. I focused primarily on personal training and team instructing. While working for Life Time, I participated in their Pilates classes. After taking classes for about a year, I decided to pursue becoming a Pilates instructor. Over the next three years, I completed my Comprehensive Peak Pilates Certification.
After five-and-a-half years, I became the Pilates Coordinator at the Maple Grove Life Time location. In addition to being a Pilates Coordinator, personal trainer, and team instructor, I became a metabolic technician, nutrition coach, and group fitness instructor. However, Pilates was my passion and primary focus. Over the next nine years, I pursued leadership awareness courses, a National Pilates Certification Program, Pilates mentorship for new instructors, and I joined the Pilates Method Alliance.
As an instructor, I saw firsthand how Pilates changed lives. I personally experienced this transformation firsthand. My Pilates practice improved my overall strength, flexibility, range of motion, and recovery from injuries. To this day, I continue to participate in weekly private sessions and classes for my own personal practice. I firmly believe if you stop growing and learning as an instructor, you stop leading and growing as a teacher. We all learn through experience!
In May 2019, I left LifeTime to open my own Pilates studio in Maple Grove. It was a small studio, with about 454 square feet located in an office building. For the first six months, I continued my full-time hours at LifeTime and added an additional 15 hours per week in my studio. I wanted to serve people facing all types of physical limitations and health challenges.
My mission became: “At JLB Pilates, we believe healing happens through movement. Using the Pilates Method, we work with your body as it is to help you grow stronger, healthier, more resilient and flexible. Everybody is different, and everybody can improve their health through movement.” Business continued to expand yearly to the point where I needed to expand my studio space and hire employees. After three-and-a-half years, it was time to expand!
Today, JLB Pilates operates in a 1,300-square-foot space that features two studios for group classes as well as a separate studio for private sessions. I have three Pilates instructors, and one of them serves as my assistant manager. I am also coaching and teaching two instructors in training who will start in June.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Just like every business, we’ve had numerous ups and downs. The first struggle was making the decision to leave a full-time job to pursue my dreams. I had to learn a lot of things along the way. However, I have a lot of wonderful clients who are also business owners who have taken the time to help me on my business journey! I am extremely grateful and blessed.
JLB Pilates was still in the early phases of the building when COVID-19 hit. However, Covid did not impact my business negatively. In fact, business increased due to Zoom sessions and personal space during private sessions. I was also able to take part in the second round of Covid funding that became available. This was a lifesaver because I could save the money until needed.
By far the most frustrating part of being a female business owner is how we are treated. I was naïve not to think this was still relevant today when it is. Landlords did not take me or my business expansion seriously, mainly because people do not understand what Pilates is or what I do. Many assume Pilates is a group fitness class with loud music and banging equipment when in fact it is very calming.
I tried to expand my studio four times in the building of my first location. However, I was told on numerous occasions that I had the smallest rental space in the building and, therefore, that I would never get priority in expanding. When I tried to look for different or newer locations, leasing agents would never call me back. So, I had to hire a broker to help me look for a new space/location. However, the broker was more concerned about getting me into whatever space they could find, even when told what my specific requirements were.
I was treated as though I did not understand how things work or how to expand a business. However, I have never been a person who does not know what they want, let alone fight for what they want. I stood up to everyone, spoke my mind and took notes as to what I needed to do next. My fundamental rule: Do not tell me I cannot do something because not only will I succeed, but I will prove you wrong!
After I finally found a new location, I applied for a small business loan to help with my expenses. I discovered the SBA loan process is extremely long and slow. There are many hoops and red tape, especially for small business owners. I am extremely thankful for the Covid loan money I had saved because I needed to use it to get things started with the expansion. I did not receive the SBA loan funds until a week before I moved into my new space.
When doing an expansion or buildout, time is by far the biggest challenge. The process to get things moving is never what you think it will be. First, you have to find a space, and then you have to coordinate the transition from one location to another. There are always complications and delays when doing the buildout. Plus, my equipment took twice as long as expected. Despite all the transitions and chaos, you hope your clients will still enjoy your work.
The trials and tribulations of a small business are real, as are the double standards for female entrepreneurs. However, I am thankful for all the support and help I have received. It is an ongoing learning process!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about JLB Pilates?
JLB Pilates creates a highly personalized Pilates program for every one of our clients. We offer movement assessments, private sessions, duet sessions, small group, and large group classes.
I enjoy working with clients that are considered complicated cases: professional athletes, people recovering from trauma/cancer, pre/post-surgical recovery, birth/postpartum recovery, living with a chronic condition, or post-surgery rehabilitation. I like to use my background in Pilates, dance, personal training, nutrition coaching, and rehabilitative exercise to help clients with functional movement, myofascial meridians, nutrition coaching, and weight loss management.
We start all clients with a complete movement screening to discuss their health and wellness goals. We will then take clients into their initial private sessions to help them understand how Pilates will help them heal through movement. From there, our clients either continue with one-on-one sessions, move into small group classes, or do a combination of private sessions and group classes to support their health journeys.
I have built the JLB Pilates brand by taking the time to truly understand the individual client’s needs and educate individual clients on the benefits of Pilates. I have also taught my instructors to understand and learn the importance of this. We do not offer memberships because it takes away from the value of what the Pilates method is. We want people to understand and appreciate how Pilates will improve their overall health and fitness.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We believe in being active members of the community.
We have partnered with other bodywork professionals such as Broman Chiropractic, Calla Clinic, Firefly Acupuncture, Premier Muscle Care Minnesota, HitesmanLaw P.A., School of Engineering and Arts (SEA), Maple Grove Youth Sports Teams, and CROSS Services volunteer organization throughout the area to support their causes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jlbpilates.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlbpilates/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLBPilates
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-bergren-636244b8
- Other: https://www.jlbpilates.com/blog/
Image Credits
Origin Smart Marketing Photography and Solutionisto Michael Anderson
