This month we are delighted to have interviewed Jo Mathews, Managing Director and Co Founder of TenPilates. Jo has spent much of her career in Marketing Agencies, running accounts such as Roche Consumer Health and Gillette. She then moved into the client side when she landed the job of Marketing Manager for Habitat. She then went on to become Head of Marketing & PR, becoming part of the UK management team. After leaving Habitat she acted as consultant for DSGI and Austin Reed – finally taking a stint as Head of Marketing for Austin Reed prior to setting up TenPilates.

Describe your typical working day?
I am an early starter – usually at my desk by 7.30am. Catching up on emails and getting things actioned, at 8.45 I stop to make breakfast, which I have, with Justin, my partner. 9am to 9.30am is the half hour of the day when we get to see each other before our days unfold. It’s our little luxury for owning our own businesses.

Then it’s to a studio or meetings, anything from finance, to PR or time with a client. I will take in a class too. I try to do 3 a week. We have a rule – that all staff, from front of house to any freelance trainers need to experience the classes. To that end I train at all the studios, with as many of the trainers as I can. I tend to train very early, or early evening and the odd weekend – if there is space in the classes. We would never take a space away from a client.
Then I am usually home around 7 or 8pm. One final check of emails and check the studio schedules for the next day and catch up with David my business partner – if we have not spent time together during the day. I really enjoy being in and around my business. I couldn’t imagine not going to the studios.

What or who influenced you to form this business?
In 2005 I had a bad car crash ending up with a fractured coccyx and twisted pelvis.
I met David Higgins at a Highgate rehabilitation gym and we worked on getting me better.
Having an incident that literally stops you in your tracks, allows you time to reflect – whether you want to or not. It was quite a sobering time. Difficult, frustrating and whilst I tried to focus on my job for Habitat – I knew I was no longer fulfilled. I had always wanted my own business but knew I wanted to work with someone – not on my own. So working with David over a two year period it slowly dawned on us that we could work together and deliver a product that was meaningful to people. From sportspeople who want to improve their performance, to those coming back from injury and people who want to look and feel good without the bulking up that you tend to get with a gym workout.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Unwind at my house in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Borrow a friend’s dog and go for a long walk in the countryside. If I am in the West End I love walking down St James’s to Westminster and then all along the Southbank. If time allows I manage to get to the Tate.

How do you unwind after work?
Either do a class or PT at a studio, dinner with my partner and then settle down to an episode of the Wire. I am addicted! Or if I am in Notting Hill we often go to dinner at The Electric followed by a movie.

What have been the best and worst experiences of your career?
Best:
Building an outstanding team at TenPilates – one which is aligned with the brand values of celebratory, people driven, expert – a bunch of people who are passionate about what we are doing and who support and encourage each other and our clients. It’s heartwarming.
Worst
Being amongst people who put themselves before the business for short term personal gain, rather than long term business success.

How do you keep fit in addition to TenPilates?
Lots of walking, and recently with TenPilates being at the Matt Roberts Studio in Mayfair, I have been doing Personal Training with one of the Matt Roberts trainers. For me it’s important to understand their approach and ability, to be confident that we are aligned appropriately.

Do you have any unusual approaches to business success?
Not really – it’s important that all of the business elements join up and that we keep the momentum going. I am a great believer in focus and effort.

What makes a successful business woman?
Probably the same as for men. An ability to spot a good idea, and to execute it properly. However, women usually have the advantage in being better at the multitasking aspect of running a business, and in my experience being better at dealing and encouraging people.

Do you listen to music? What is on your iPod?
Mostly my boyfriend’s eclectic selection: anything from Elbow to Lyle Lovett.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking of changing their career what would it be?
Really plan and consider the detail of what you want to do next. Make sure you have bright, capable people around you it makes the change more rewarding and increases your potential to be successful.

Info about TenPilates
TenPilates is the home of Dynamic Pilates in London. As the latest development in Pilates, Dynamic Pilates offers an enhanced full-body workout designed to give visible results, fast. Set up in 2007 by David Higgins and Joanne Mathews, TenPilates boasts three studios across London with a wealth of committed fans including many high-profile faces. The Notting Hill, Chiswick and Mayfair studios span the Capital and employ the most highly qualified and experienced trainers, each having subsequently spent over 180 hours in the TenPilates Training Academy mastering the Dynamic Pilates programme.

Prices start at £12.50 for the first class with private personal training sessions starting at £80.
Open 7 days a week: 020 8969 9677 / www.TenPilates.com