I thought I’d spend my life training horses. I grew up on a California ranch, and for a while, that was pretty much all I cared about. But as anyone who’s tried to make a living in Santa Barbara County without being Oprah… Well, ya can’t. When I became a mom, I knew I needed not only $$ but something that could help me provide, move my body, and light me up.
So I laced up (okay, I went barefoot at first) and started teaching aerobics—high-impact, no-shoes, concrete floors, the 80s, Jane Fonda deal. And yeah, it broke a couple bones in my feet, but it also opened the door to what would become a decades-long career in movement and wellness.
I’ve been around since then—fitness instructor, bar manager, construction crew leader (yes, I’ve pounded nails and pulled wire), big-box gym manager, and ultimately, co-founder of a super successful boutique studio I co-owned for 20 years. That studio grew into a seven-figure business with a team of 17. It became known not just for its services, but for its culture—a place where people wanted to work, clients wanted to stay, and growth aligned with our values.
But it didn’t start that way.
Like most business owners, we didn’t know it all at first, trying to figure out how to lead, set clear expectations, and build a team that wasn’t just “getting the job done” but actually bought into what we were creating. Leadership didn’t come naturally, and we didn’t have a roadmap.
What changed? We stopped winging it and started getting real about systems. We got clear on our policies, learned how to be better employers, and made one of the smartest (and scariest) decisions of our business lives: we converted all our independent contractors to employees. Long before California said we had to. That changed everything. It stabilized our business, improved our client experience, and deepened our team’s commitment. That’s when I realized—good leadership is scalable. But you need the right tools.
So, that’s what I do now.
I’m an HR and leadership strategist for fitness and wellness studios. I coach owners through employee conversions, hiring, team building, and people-first leadership. I help them move from “I’m doing everything” to “my business runs—without me constantly holding it together.”
And I’m proud to say that many of the studio owners I’ve worked with have been with me for over a decade. They trust that I’ll be honest, I’ll listen, and I’ll never pretend to know what I don’t. I’m here to support, elevate, and make sure they’re building something that lasts.
Oh, and when I’m not working with clients? I’m a grandma of ten (yes, really), still obsessed with movement, and constantly geeking out on how to make businesses more human.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
None of us needs to do this alone. You just need someone who’s been there—to listen and share. I’m here for it!
