Pilates Connection

By Malia Durbano

Kim Moriyama opened the Pilates Connection in 2002. She envisions her business as a vehicle to make a positive difference in peoples’ lives and is so grateful for the instructors who work with her that are passionate about doing that.

In 2013, Kim met with advisor Joe Bishop who, “Was an awesome sounding board and helped me with revisioning to make the studio vital and dynamic.” She implemented the ideas they came up with and “Put together a pay structure that rewards instructors who are passionate about sharing what they love to teach.”

Joe Bishop encouraged her to look at the business from the perspective of her employees and to create systems to help them be the best they can be. Also looking at the business from the perspective of the owner, Moriyama was able to clarify the personal values she would like the business to reflect in the world.

Moriyama explains, “Working with Joe Bishop was very empowering.” He helped her transform the business from something that was somewhat mechanical to create systems that embody the values they share as a team and that now permeate everything they do. “We now understand the different roles people play on the team. I also better understand what my role is as the business owner and leader of the team.”

Further work with Joe Keck provided deeper clarity on her vision and how the business serves the staff, the clients and the community and herself as the owner.

Following the recent Women’s Small Business Conference, Moriyama consulted with advisor Terryl Peterson regarding the financial aspects of the business such as the compensation model and ways to incentivize the employees. “Terryl was really great at listening and asking key questions. She provided great resources based on where I was in that moment and helped me create a thriving environment for my instructors, which in turn makes the whole business thrive!”

Moriyama is grateful for the on-going coaching and regular check-ins with the advisors. “My studio has started to flourish in a whole new way.”

Soundscapes International

By Malia Durbano Ross Barrable an acoustic sculptor attended the Leading Edge for Entrepreneur’s Class offered by the SBDC in the winter of 2010 because, “I wanted to learn about business and branding and how to market my wind harps.” Barrable doesn’t have a store front and recognizes that most of the sales for his high ticket items come by building relationships with potential clients. Barrable creates, “Contemporary sound sculptures, or wind harps, fabricated out

Read More »
Studio B: A Place to “B”

Coworking, or flexspace, is all the rage in the era of remote work. After all, what better way to build professional relationships than by sharing a workspace? But, what if there was a flexspace designed specifically for coaches and therapists? And, what if that coworking space had a full team who could provide mental and physical health services? To make it even better, what if it had a full time administrative assistant who managed all

Read More »
Pura Vida

By Malia Durbano After four years in private practice, Naturopathic Doctor, Nicola St. Mary, decided it was time to pursue her dream of building a cooperative natural healthcare practice. With the vision in mind, she began assembling practitioners to join her and the search for a building. Dr. Nicola contacted Joe Keck to “totally understand the resources that were available.” After talking with Joe and his assistant, Lynn Asano, Dr. Nicola was referred to the

Read More »
Sticks and Stones

While Tim and Micki Hassemer waited for the perfect retail location on Main Ave. to become available, they were lucky enough to secure retail space at the entrance to Four Leaves Winery. During the one-and-a-half years they occupied that space, they met with former SBDC Executive Director, Joe Keck numerous times. The couple moved here from Los Angeles and Tim chuckles, “It’s a little different here. We had to learn the rules and requirements for

Read More »
A Fusion of Expertise: Mind Body Soleil

Fifteen years ago, Marie Soleil fell in love with the healing arts. Like many, she had grown up indoctrinated in western medicine. But, when it couldn’t help her overcome a panic disorder, she pursued more natural means of healing. “When I realized that I could heal myself,” she says, “I was hooked.” She started working as a massage therapist and soon became a personal trainer, yoga teacher, stretchologist, Master Meditation Teacher, and group fitness instructor.

Read More »
Durango Lawns: Keeping Durango Green

Some people adore yard work. Others prefer to leave their lawn care to the experts, so they have the freedom to go play. It is on this principle that Durango Lawns was founded. Although he is an electrician by trade, Pat Cass spent many of his early years working in lawn maintenance. He enjoys working outdoors and staying physically active, and for years, he dreamed of starting his own lawn company. Finally in 2019, he

Read More »
Skip to content