Check Out Kathy Hale’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Hale

Hi Kathy , 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?
Energetic and hungry are two words that describe me, and those character traits are the foundation of where I am today. When I began to study dance, the artistry and discipline was the perfect vehicle for my boundless energy. In my thirties I took up pilates and discovered the technique resonated with my body. It became the perfect next step. But energy needs fuel, and I was a very picky eater, so I began “playing” in the kitchen at a young age and making things I liked to eat.
When I was in high school, I spent a summer in Southern California. That experience stayed with me forever. It opened me up to the flavors of the world, the ocean and the farm. My hunger had discovered seasonings, textures and the palate dance of salt, fat, acid and heat.

These innate skills led to teaching both cooking and movement classes. These classes led to opening several businesses.- Daily Bread a vegetarian cafe, Private Pilates & Pilates Classes, The 28 Challenge a wellness program, and canihaveabite an organic meal prep & carryout. This path was creative, exciting, rewarding and, ultimately exhausting. After four decades of this “business dance” I needed a more balanced way to be creative and answer my customers never ending questions on how to live a healthier life.

In 2024, I set up Kathy Does Pilates an online platform that offers classes, tips, recipes and a private community space to ask questions and share answers.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ll address the challenges with both types of businesses. When I was teaching pilates classes and seeing private clients the biggest challenge was the lack of consistent income and the hours. I often began my day at 7:00am and ended it at 7:00pm,, and worked at least a few hours on the weekends. I retained most of my clients for years, but life happens and can suddenly make it impossible for them to continue taking pilates. My 28 Day Challenge and canihaveabite, my meal prep business, both developed as a way to create additional income to supplement these fluctuations. My clients had food sensitivity issues and health issues that these businesses addressed as well.

canihaveabite began with cooking classes as a way to address food sensitivities and teach clients easy ways to cook healthier dishes. It grew into a weekly menu as clients would rather pay for me to cook for them. This organic but unstructured way my food business grew proved to work against me in the long run.

canihaveabite was initially an easy one person operation for a handful of clients. As it grew the lack of operating capital and stronger financial foundation needed for that growth became the impossible hurdle to overcome. Initially I was able to grow incrementally. I leased a small catering kitchen with a flexible rental for a few years before I signed a lease on a brick and mortar location. I inched my way forward through micro-loans and long hours. For the first six years, we saw revenue growth each and every year. Things were looking rosy until 2020. From March 2020 until the day we closed in May 2023, the issues to overcome were numerous, Every time we solved a problem, a brand new set would present itself. Theses issues included: Setting up 4 different online ordering platforms during 2020 (most were designed for single meal orders, not meal prep); Delivery delays on supplies; Lack of adequate staffing; Farmers that supplied produce and meats closed their farms; Inflation; Lack of adequate staffing from 2020 -2023; and finally the physical toll it began to take on myself and my daughter.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a creative person. and during this transition from working in person to working online, I discovered it is all about thinking outside of the box. I don’t have the boundaries that come when working in a physical space. I am not much of a social media person, but I have discovered I love making short videos to post online. It reminds me of working on choreography. And it is fun to structure my online classes and Patreon page.

My age and experience definitely set me apart. Initially, I thought my age would be an obstacle, but in the end I just leaned into it. And when it comes to movement and food, I know what I am talking about, and not from a book but because of my life experiences and what I have learned from them. My philosophy is: ‘Your body is an amazing instrument, designed to move with ease and fluidity. It is only our current lifestyles that wreak havoc on the natural movement. Don’t limit yourself by saying what you can’t do, but rediscover your inborn potential.’

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Currently, sharing my social media posts, joining my Patreon or taking an online class is a great way to show support!

When it comes to collaboration, I want to incorporate others into some future plans. I plan to create future videos that could include guests, as we all do better when we support each other.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kathydoespilates.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathydoespilates/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathydoespilates/
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/pilatesinnovations