Fitness Business Spotlight: Pelvienne Wellness
What type of business are you?
I started my business in 2009 with an e-commerce store selling pelvic health products to women. I then formed a second business (Bellies Inc) with 2 other women where we designed and manufactured a postpartum recovery garment and exercise program. In 2018 I closed down my e-commerce store and chose to focus on growing my online courses and coaching. Bellies Inc was sold in June 2020. I am now sort of back where I started with my own online business (Pelvienne Wellness Inc) but now it is online programs, challenges and coaching for consumers as well as live and online certification courses and coaching for fitness and wellness professionals.
Tell us about your business
I have a very specific niche where I help women and vagina owners prevent and overcome pelvic floor challenges like incontinence, organ prolapse, and diastasis recti. When I first began, my clients were pregnant women. I created my first program called Prepare To Push™ in 2009 and it still helps people prepare their bodies for birth. I then broadened into postpartum women and those in motherhood who were dealing with core dysfunction. I created my second program Kegel Mojo and it also still runs today. As I moved into perimenopause, I recognized that pelvic health is important during all life stages so also work with peri-post menopause clients. Most people take one of my challenges to start. My Birth Like A Boss Challenge is for pregnant women/people and my Buff Muff Challenge is for anyone with incontinence or prolapse or for those looking to prevent these issues. I then have my Prepare To Push and Kegel Mojo programs as well as a monthly membership to help support people beyond the initial 28 days of the challenge. For those looking for additional assistance, I offer one-on-one coaching packages as well.
How long have you been in the industry?
I first became certified as a personal trainer in 1996. I left the industry in 2001 and returned again in 2009.
What attracted you to the fitness industry?
I have always been interested in health and wellness. I played sports until university and then became interested in the fitness industry. I became certified the year after I graduated from university and have been a passionate exerciser ever since! I believe movement is an essential part to our physical, emotional and mental health. It can help us prepare…it can help us heal. I am fascinated by the inner workings of our body and feel so fortunate to have the tools to help people move and feel better.
What has been the greatest challenge as a business owner/operator and how did you overcome it?
In the early days it was cash flow and I can thank my family for helping me manage that. The next was managing multiple businesses – I don’t advise it without a team in place. I didn’t resolve this one until last year, after 10 years juggling two!
What do you hope your buyers achieve within your product/service?
I want all women and people with a vagina to understand and value the importance of pelvic health and have the power to prevent and overcome any challenges they face. So many women suffer in silence, avoid fitness and social interaction and lose confidence. I also want everyone to know that light bladder leakage (incontinence) is NOT ‘just part of being a woman’. It is my mission to ensure that all women have access to pelvic care and can live life to the fullest ….without incontinence pads.
Tell us your greatest memory/highlight in your career
A moment I will never forget is when The Globe and Mail asked me to be one of their Health Advisors! I almost deleted the email because I thought it was an ad to buy the newspaper! I wrote for the paper for a year and feel that helped me gain some klout when talking about what has been considered a taboo topic.
How long have you attended canfitpro events?
I believe my first conference was in Toronto in 2012. I remember the buzz and the excitement and setting a goal to one day be a presenter. I have been presenting for I believe 7 years now!
What is the percentage of Canadian businesses you currently have?
My online followers are about 40% Canadian and 55% American and 5% elsewhere. My programs have about 50% Canadian customers and my coaching clients are also about 50% Canadian.
How do you plan to grow your Canadian business in the next 12-24 months?
canfitpro always plays a significant role in building my Canadian sales. I am hoping as the world opens up that I will host live events again. I would also like to arrange some book signings at Canadian bookstores for my most recent book Your Pelvic Floor that launched in March. I am also working to grow my SEO to reach more people in the Canadian market.
