Progressive Pilates Takes On Franchising

Journal Record:

Leah Ashlock intends to go where no Pilates instructor has gone before: franchising, along with a nationally distributed instructional DVD.

Bored by traditional Pilates techniques, she started developing personal innovations in 1999. 4 years later, she unveiled her unique style in her studio, Progressive Pilates in Tulsa, which has grown through word of mouth from a handful of clients to more than 150.

Ashlock now is preparing a franchise and DVD plan to take her business strategy nationwide. No other company has successfully franchised a Pilates program, according to the International Franchise Association.

‘The opportunity and market is out there, and I just think we need to take advantage of it – there’s no reason not to,’ she said. ‘I’m a businesswoman, and that’s the beauty of this; I’m finding out I am helping people, and I can help more, plus make it into a business.’

Ashlock did not open her 3,500-square-foot studio at 3023 S. Harvard Ave. in hopes to one day becoming the ‘Wal-Mart of Pilates.’ Once her classes grew in popularity, people started mentioning the concept of franchising to her.

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