Exploring Life & Business with Stephanie Harrison of Frame Pilates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Harrison.

Hi Stephanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always had a passion for exercise and training from the time I was young. I started with an exercise science degree in college and ended up switching to marketing but in hindsight should have stayed on the exercise science path. After college I worked for years as a makeup artist in Nashville, working on music videos, commercials, and ecommerce. As a single mom – the days on set were very long and exhausting and I started to feel very burnt out with the lifestyle. One of my good friends in town opened a Pilates studio and I would go as much as I could trying to correct old running injuries and gain strength (so I could run again hahaha).

Around that time, I began a journey of serious weightlifting as well. I worked with different trainers and learned as much as I could. I fell in love with both. I decided one winter to start working on my Pilates certification through Balanced Body. I figured it would be a fun side job when hair and makeup were slow. I loved everything from the training classes to the shadowing hours to the practice teaching. From there, I quickly began working on my Personal Training certification as well. Within a couple of years, I had built a client base where I felt financially confident to begin prioritizing my teaching and training over hair and makeup. Honestly, the hours were so much better for my son- even though the income was less. Right before Covid hit, I had begun looking at spaces for my studio (thank goodness I didn’t sign anything).

Little did I know I would spend the next couple of years training online only. It turned out to be amazing overall. Clients found me from all over the country and I worked with some daily for years and still do today. I eventually was ready to get back to in-person group classes and in-person training. I went back to my friend’s studio to teach and train. Eventually, I felt like I was in a good place to begin to look for a space again and it was a long process. One of my long-time clients found Frame’s current space in Green Hills.

It needed a complete demo and rebuild. My client who found the space acted as project manager and oversaw the entire process. He not only made everything happen quickly but perfectly. We have been open for just over a month at this point and it’s been amazing! I’m so excited to let all of Green Hills and Nashville know we are here!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think the biggest struggle for me was managing the stress and finances of opening a business on a single income. I was still training clients and doing random hair and makeup jobs – literally until the day we opened.

Plus, I have a son in high school who of course needs me- whether he thinks so or not hahaha. There is always a hidden cost that you forget about or sneak up on you. I completely ran out of money at one point. Luckily, I have an amazing boyfriend and family who were able to help.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Frame Pilates?
Frame Pilates is a boutique Pilates studio whose modern approach to Pilates allows clients to train athletically while still incorporating Joseph Pilates’ classical principles. Every class is designed to increase strength, mobility, and balance with the use of the reformer, weights, and bands.

It is the most fun and most effective workout I have ever done. Every exercise promotes deep core activation and full body strength and awareness. I also really wanted a studio that had a separate area for clients to train privately with the use of the reformer, weights, and kettlebells. I think there is a huge need for trainers to utilize both.

Especially as women get older, they need to lift heavier weights to increase bone density, and metabolism and protect their joints. There are also so many positive studies on lifting and its effects on mood and energy. At Frame, we have a private studio with a reformer, Pilates chair, squat rack, TRX, bench, box, weights, and kettlebells.

It is my favorite way to train and we have clients of all ages who have seen the benefits of utilizing both modalities. We also have clients who just prefer Pilates and that is fine too! It is amazing to have a space where there is a real opportunity to customize a client’s workout and meet them wherever their goals and limits allow.

How do you think about luck?
I think timing is always everything. I was at a real point in my life and my career to take on opening a new business.

Had it been a few years earlier – I would not have had my client’s help, the perfect location, or felt financially secure.

Those are things I highly attribute to making Frame a reality and success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.framepilatesnashville.com
• Instagram: @framepilatesnashville

Image Credits
Shari Hart Rachel Deebs Adam DelGuidice