Georgie Hamblin is on a quest to enhance people's fitness and help those who want to gain better balance, flexibility, strength, muscle toning, core stability, or general fitness and well-being.
Tell us a little bit about Quest Pilates Studio.
Quest is a Pilates Studio in Wee Waa, a small cotton farming town in North West NSW. It is a Pilates Studio for anyone, from beginners to the advanced, young and old, men and women.
I like to look at it like I am on a quest to enhance my client's fitness and to help those who want to gain better balance, flexibility, strength, muscle toning, core stability, or general fitness and well-being.
What inspired you to start Quest Pilates Studio?
I moved to Wee Waa from my hometown in Inverell NSW after marrying my husband Matt in October 2021, in the middle of all the Covid craziness!
I got a job at the local Wee Waa Post Office and Matt started teaching at the Primary School we settled into our new life. but I really missed attending my Pilates classes back home.
A few years earlier, my mum had suggested I give Pilates a go “and take your grandparents while you’re at it” she said. Well, I did do that, enjoying the time with my grandparents and I also started falling in love with Pilates! During that time, I had this little dream in the back of my mind of becoming a Pilates Instructor but it all seemed impossible.
The weeks turned into months in Wee Waa and I found I was really missing Pilates. I started stewing over the idea of doing my training and opening up my own studio and finally thought to myself, “what have I got to loose, if it doesn’t work out I will use what I learn in the course for my own benefit.” I signed up for the Matwork Course with Studio Pilates International. After completing the 50hrs of online study, and 4 days of face-to-face training in Brisbane, I was qualified!
A surreal moment for me when Quest Pilates Studio opened its doors in October 2022. In the first 3 months, Quest Pilates Studio gained 30 clients! I have been so grateful for the support I’ve had from our local community. They have loved the idea and have embraced me and my studio.
What makes Quest Pilates Studio unique?
It’s not the first Pilates studio in Wee Waa but it’s been quite a while since there was a studio or an instructor in town. It’s a 30-minute drive to Narrabri and it’s a struggle for people who work full-time jobs or are busy mums and farmers, to make the trip for a class. Now it’s at their doorstep.
Quest is also set up with a space where mums can bring their kids and feel comfortable exercising with their little ones in tow, the kids can have a play while the mums get their workout in.
I asked some people their thoughts on this question and one of the answers I got back was “it’s just a vibe”!
A vibe is definitely what I hoped it would become and continues to be. I aim to create a space where people can come and feel comfortable exercising, and that empowers and motivates them to feel good in mind and body. It’s a modern space, a space that country people don’t always get the opportunity to enjoy as the city people do!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of owning/running your own business?
This would have to be helping people create and achieve their fitness goals. Watching and hearing them say, “I am getting stronger” or “I can do this so much better now.”
The social aspect of Quest Pilates has been something special and rewarding to be a part of. I love that it is a space where connections are being made, people are meeting each other for the first time and it grows into supporting each other in their own businesses. It makes me so happy that it’s my space that’s allowing that to happen.
But most of all, there is somewhere to go for that stress release, to have some “me-time” or catch up with friends while getting physically stronger at the same time. It’s a win-win really!
What’s the best piece of business advice that you have ever received?
Believe in yourself. Whenever I have doubted myself, my parents have been my biggest supporters. They have always encouraged us to try things and told my siblings and me to always put in 100%.
What’s on the horizon for Quest Pilates Studio in 2023?
I have just expanded to teaching one day a week in Narrabri, teaching out of the Platform + Co studio! Gaining some Narrabri followers and clients has been great for expanding Quest. I am currently developing online workouts through my website to help those in even more remote places than Wee Waa enhance their fitness, as well as anyone who wants to join the online Quest community!
Location: WEE WAA | NSW
Instagram: @quest.pilatesstudio
Facebook: @Quest Pilates Studio