Episode 259: From Start Up to Sustainable

Welcome back to another episode of the Female EmPOWERED Podcast! Today’s episode flips the script a bit as Latasha Doyle, founder and CEO of Uncanny Content, takes over as the host to interview me, Christa Gurka! We’re kicking off a special series where we highlight different business stories, and what better way to start than by diving into my journey of building and growing Pilates in the Grove?

In this candid conversation, Latasha and I talk about everything from starting as an accidental entrepreneur to navigating major business challenges like partnerships, rebranding, and scaling a multi-location Pilates and physical therapy business. We also dive into leadership, personal growth, and the struggles of managing a team, especially during difficult times like COVID.

Some of the things we discussed in this episode include...

• Becoming a Business Owner: My journey started unintentionally, but over time, I realized I was not just managing a project—I was growing a real business.
• Lessons from Partnership 'Divorces': When you’re no longer aligned with your business partners, sometimes the best move is to part ways, even if it’s financially difficult. It was a tough but pivotal moment for me to take full control of Pilates in the Grove.
• Overcoming Overwhelm: At one point, I felt like burning the business to the ground. What helped? Therapy, working on myself, and finally hiring a COO who could take over the operational side of the business.
• Scaling and Leadership: Moving from being a service provider to becoming a leader was the hardest transition. I had to learn to let go, delegate, and build a strong executive team around me.
• The Importance of Asking for Help: As business owners, we sometimes feel like we need to do it all. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that it’s okay to ask for help—and that delegation doesn’t make you a bad leader.

Got a question or want to be featured on the podcast? You can now leave me a voice message! Just visit ChristaGurka.com/messages to ask your question or share your thoughts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It helps get the podcast in front of more women in healthcare, wellness, and fitness.

Thank you for tuning in to this special episode! Keep an eye out for more inspiring business stories in the coming episodes, and don’t forget to subscribe and share this with fellow entrepreneurs.

Until next time, keep empowering yourself and your business!