Chatting with our June Small Business of the Month: Cisco Pilates

May 28, 2020

Cisco Pilates opened in April 2011 in Asheville after owner Alexis Miller (originally from Massachusetts) moved from San Francisco to Asheville with a summer stop-over in Geneva, Switzerland. She taught Pilates in all three places at other studios before opening her own. Alexis teaches private and duet Pilates classes in her home studio as well as group Pilates and Foam Roller Deep Stretch classes at a few locations around Asheville.

Hi Alexis! Can you share a little known fact or piece of trivia with us about Cisco Pilates? 

Believe it or not, I started the Pilates with Puppies craze in 2017! Now it’s taught all over the world. Pretty crazy.

What are you most proud of about the company?

Being in business for 9 years feels like a big accomplishment.

Best advice you’ve gotten for operating a small business.

Believe in yourself, no matter what.

Tips for other small businesses?

I know everyone says this, but networking is so important! Get yourself out there to talk about your business to and in front of other people. It’s scary, but it makes a big difference. Once people get to know you and trust you, they will refer business to you.

How have you adapted Cisco Pilates during the pandemic? 

Right now, we’re offering all our classes via Zoom. It’s an adjustment, but people need a healthy outlet during this time, and it feels good to be able to provide that.

What’s next on the horizon?

Someday I’d love to have a little bit of a bigger studio with a bit more equipment and a private entrance and it’s own bathroom! It’s a dream right now, but I know we’ll make it happen!

Our tagline is “Together, We are More.”  How does that apply to your business or what does it mean to you?

Pilates is a unique type of exercise and movement that is enhanced when you have a trainer with their eye on you! It’s great to have a home practice, but having a teacher push you beyond where you’d go on your own, while also keeping you safe and in proper alignment makes all the difference.

Keep up with Cisco Pilates!

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