Pilates studio owner Alex Morgan wins Business SA award
A Murray Bridge East entrepreneur has been recognised for steering into the slide that came with COVID-19.
The owner of a Murray Bridge pilates studio has been named one of South Australia’s outstanding young entrepreneurs.
Alex Morgan, of Move Pilates Studio on the east side, took home an award after a graduation ceremony for Business SA’s SA Young Entrepreneur Scheme on Thursday night.
Her business plan – adapting to COVID-19, then leaning into a trend towards online video link-ups – was named the best of any SAYES graduate.
Key was her willingness to shift her pilates classes online in April, when restrictions forced her business to close its doors; and to keep going with them when they proved popular.
“SAYES allowed me to have a business continuity plan in place, ready to go, to ease the burden of COVID-19,” Ms Morgan said.
“Thanks to the SAYES program I was able to switch my online services on within a week of the shut-down, and then from there build it up even further.”
Move Pilates Studio still offers two online classes per day for clients who cannot make it into the studio, from around the Murraylands, interstate and even overseas.
“Our virtual platform provides them with a medium to get additional movement into their week without travelling each day,” Ms Morgan said.
“We wanted a platform that assisted keeping them accountable, but also to feel connected and seen.
“Our classes are two-way, which allows us to assist clients with their form (and) provide modifications and encouragement along the way.”
The business also makes a library of pre-recorded sessions available to mums and others who might otherwise struggle to fit them into busy schedules.
Business SA’s Regional SA Young Entrepreneur Scheme is open to anyone aged between 18 and 35 who is ready to take their business or idea to the next level.
Participants in the paid program are assigned a mentor and participate in workshops with topics including business strategy, finance, marketing, law, employee relations, leadership and media.
- More information: www.business-sa.com/regional-sayes-program.
Photo of Innovation and Skills Minister David Pisoni, Alex Morgan and Business SA chief executive officer Martin Haese: Business SA. Photo of Move Pilates Studio: Move Pilates Studio/Facebook.
