Sarah and Steven Pearson are the new owners of the popular Studio Pilates business in Takapuna. Channel Mag caught up with Sarah during February as they had just completed the purchase.
Channel Mag: Tell us a little bit about your background. What have you done prior to taking on this Studio Pilates opportunity?
Sarah: I have spent the last 10 years in the franchise industry as a learning and development manager. Steven is in the commercial construction industry specialising specifically in glass and facades across New Zealand.
CMAG: We understand you guys just got married. Life must be a bit hectic at the moment?
Sarah: We are a family of five, with two daughters at Westlake Girls and a miniature schnauzer Marley. We have lived on the Shore for six years now which we love. I grew up in South Auckland and my husband Steven is a proud Westie. Steven moved from the west in 2009 to play for the Takapuna Cricket Club and never left. We are very lucky to now reside in Murrays Bay. It has been a hectic period – getting married, buying a business, having surgery on a broken ankle (done on the Murrays to Mairangi Bay beach walkway) all within four weeks! We were lucky with our wedding, getting the one day of summer on the 20th of January this year which was tinny as we had an an outdoor wedding at Man 'o War on Waiheke.
CMAG: Why did you decide to buy Studio Pilates Takapuna?
Sarah: I started doing Pilates as high impact training was no good for my ankle; also much more appropriate for an aging body! The business structure, systems and processes of Studio Pilates impressed us. We had been on the lookout for a business opportunity for some time, Auckland traffic is not going to improve so something on the Shore was very appealing and when the Takapuna studio became available last year we jumped at the opportunity. Takapuna was the first international studio opened outside of Australia, the growth of the business into America and the UK makes it even more special to own the first international studio.
CMAG: The studio obviously has a strong following with the local community. What are your plans going forward with the business?
Sarah: Taka has a great loyal following. A huge part of this is the strength of the team and the relationships they have formed with clients over the last five years. We have the best instructors at the top of their game. The location certainly helps; it does not get any better with the beach and great local cafés a big favourite before and after classes. Like most retail areas Takapuna has been hit hard by the effects of Covid and it is evident by the amount of empty spaces around the shopping precinct. With the Hurstmere Road upgrade now complete and some exciting new buildings in the pipeline we think the outlook for Takapuna is very bright and we are very excited to be part of the growth of the business community into the future. Like any business there are always opportunities for growth and improvement and we really want to focus on continually improving the experience for our clients, then they will tell their friends and family.
CMAG: What do you love about Takapuna and living on the Shore?
Sarah: We love being close to the water; we have awesome neighbours and amenities such as three great golf courses very close.
CMAG: Complete the following. After a busy business week we love nothing more than…
Sarah: … A beverage at one of our awesome Taka bars or restaurants with friends and clients or clients who have become friends. Saturday morning walks with Marley are a staple between Murrays and Mairangi Bay grabbing a coffee from Isaac at the Bay Café on the way.
Studio Pilates: 33 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. Phone: 092174341, Email: takapuna@studiopilates.com,
www.studiopilates.com/studios/takapuna/
