Overcoming Challenges in Creating a Community: A Journey of Running a Mums and Bubs Pilates Class

Starting a small business can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience. My friend and I embarked on the journey to offer a weekly Pilates class tailored for mothers and their babies, with the intention of promoting fitness and building a supportive community. While it’s been a fulfilling endeavor, we find ourselves facing some unexpected challenges that make us question our approach.

Despite our initial enthusiasm, our attendance has not met our expectations. Currently, only two new mothers join us each week, and sadly, this low turnout prevents us from covering the costs of renting our studio space. We envisioned a thriving community of 7-10 regular participants who would come together to enjoy movement, connect, and have fun. To spread the word, we’ve utilized local Facebook groups and created an Instagram account to attract interested moms, but our efforts have yet to yield significant results.

In reflecting on our circumstances, I remember how, when my own child was younger, I struggled to find moms and bubs groups in our area that were affordable. Perhaps this highlights a broader issue; building a consistent participant base requires time, patience, and persistence.

We’ve implemented strategies to encourage commitment, such as offering a discounted four-week program. However, with only two new moms each session, we face the looming reality that they, too, may eventually become regular attendees.

Several factors could be influencing our situation:

1. Timing: We initiated our classes midway through the school term, likely competing with established activities like baby sensory sessions that follow the school calendar.

2. Unpredictability of Mums and Babies: As any parent knows, schedules with little ones can be fickle, making regular attendance challenging.

3. Equipment Limitations: We currently run a mat-based Pilates format. While I believe this is less of a concern, having more diverse offerings could attract a broader audience.

To gather valuable insights, we sent a feedback form to one of our participants, but unfortunately, it went unanswered. I understand that pushing for feedback can come off as desperate, so we haven’t followed up with others who attended. Many expressed genuine interest in returning, yet they haven’t yet committed to signing up for packages or casual drop-ins. This reluctance has been disheartening.

As we look to the future, we are eager for fresh ideas and strategies to increase our repeat attendance. While we will continue to utilize community pages to promote our