Today we’d like to introduce you to Cally Wickson.
Cally started dancing at the age of 2 1/2 and got her first teaching job at the age of 14. She knew what she wanted to do at an early age, also knowing she didn’t necessarily need a college degree to do so. She decided to graduate high school six months early and dive into studying acting, singing, and dancing down in Boston. She was brought on to choreograph musicals with children, where they would take their routine out L.A. to take home first place awards. She decided that behind the scenes was more her gig and continued studying movement of the body down in Belmont, Mass with master trainer Zayna Gold. Cally took a turn into the barre and Pilates world and taught at over seven different studios building clientele where ever she went. She noticed that the barre routines where she would go take classes or even teach at, weren’t her style. Cally started at a maternal health and wellness center, on top of her other three studios she was teaching at. This opened the door into the doula world, she created a parental barre program and worked as a doula. ” It was the best experience, I was with these amazing women before, during, and after baby! After realizing her type of barre was super successful she took the chance to create her own barre certification program. The Method® is now a registered trademarked method that is offered in New England. Her goal was to go into smaller studios and train the barre instructors with more of a Pilates based background. She found the results were not only amazing but very familiar to movements in physical therapy for bad knees, backs etc. Cally kept her head up and decided that at the age of 25 she would have her own barre, Pilates, and yoga studio. She opened in June of 2016 and is so excited to offer this method to her remaining clients plus new members! Continuing training local and other studios she is still training other barre enthusiasts on the side.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely NOT.
1. Bullied during middle school on her cheerleading team. She was dropped on purpose because she had been bumped up a team and taken another fliers spot. Bullying is real but it’s something not to let keep you down.
2. Cally worked for a local Pilates studio where she was paid next to nothing and covered over 15 classes a week on top of working at a bank job to hold her health insurance. She was then criticized and mocked before and after classes on what she was doing wrong, woman putting down other woman in the work world.
3. Maternal Health and Wellness center. Cally was pulled in many directions here, she was managing the front desk, teaching 15 classes a week, and working as a doula on top of this, all for the same company. Most instructors work as 1099’s, and Cally was now at the age where she was coming off her parent’s insurance, real life problems! She begged the company she was working so hard for, to please hire her full time, as she was already working full time, she just wanted the insurance benefit. She was then sat down by her director and told, “It is your fault you are a subcontractor working as a barre instructor, your choice you did not pursue a college education.” Cally had never felt so low. She had another company asking her to come on as a partner, the only thing they wanted was her knowledge and clients. That was her breaking point, after speaking to the CEO and knowing that they had never even known that high up that Cally only wanted to work for the company and that the CEO told her she could have her benefits plus a great salary, she decided to pass knowing that the company was not the right path, this was only a sign.
4. Cally joined the partnership, what a mistake. Cally’s barre certification program had been a long time in process, it was a young dream of hers. She went into the new studio and only last six weeks. She worked 35 classes a week with no pay, hosted a training of over 15 women and never saw any of the profit. She then was then forced to seek out a lawyer to protect her book/method, long story short. Partners are for dancing and dancing only.
5. Cally was now at her lowest low! Our generation is all about “signs,” was this a sign I needed to change routes and go up a completely different avenue?… Broke, without a job Cally picked up a hammer and worked as a contractor with her father to get her by and pay her bills!!!.
6. Here’s where dreams do come true! I had worked on a business plan, along with my book, it was something I would always pick up from time to time. I met with over 5 different banks, begging for a loan, I had no money in the bank who was going to believe in me and give me a loan to start me dream business?
7. Luckily Cally’s family stepped in and went to meet the president of Pentucket Bank, I had a small amount of money help from my father, but I also killed my interview with the bank president who believed in me. Now coming up this June will be my 2nd year in business and our classes are waitlisted, I’m changing people’s lives, I have an amazing staff and I can finally say I did it and I am not done!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with C_Wickson Studios – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in preventive fitness, a new change in fitness. Our ages range from 18-70! How amazing is that?! All our classes are beginner friendly and prenatal friendly. Cally’s instructors are all privately trained through her in the C_Method® We offer over 35 classes weekly, we are open seven days a week and we also offer babysitting for those moms in need. I am so proud to offer a space where anyone feels welcome and safe. Group fitness is a bit intimidating and to hear that as soon as they walk through the door and feel our vibe, they are instantly at their home away from home.
I believe we hold a method that is safe, by that I mean your cutting and leaning out muscle in a way that will only benefit you as you get older. To have a lot of my clients as grandmothers who can play and keep up with the little ones is cool. I also love that I can challenge any individual client, it’s group fitness with the private training feel. We are all about form here and love to teach you as you go without paying the crazy prices of privates.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Future, Second location closer to the city, not in the city. Would love to hit up those commuters. Barre certification retreat. Travel to other small businesses and privately train their staff, two studios we are currently working with now, and it’s great! All the way down to Florida to Texas!
Pricing:
- New Client Special 2 for $20
- Buy 15 classes one free
- Customized unlimited membership for babysitting and studio classes
Contact Info:
- Address: 58 Range Road Unit 15
Windham, NH 03087 - Website: CWICKSONSTUDIOS.COM
- Phone: 603-328-5984
- Email: INFO@CWICKSONSTUDIOS.COM
- Instagram: C_WICKSONSTUDIOS
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwicksonstudios/
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