We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashlee Carignan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashlee, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
What makes me happy first and foremost is of all my clients., seeing their progression from start to finish and accomplishing their goals, and building strong relationships with them from friendships to trust. Being a part of their fitness journey and trusting me with their bodies and goals is the ultimate feeling — priceless. I’ve been teaching for 15+ years and every morning I wake up I feel grateful that I get to do what I love. I truly believe when you are sincerely grateful, that brings you happiness. Success and happiness is no accident. It’s hard work, perseverance, learning, sacrificing, and most of all, loving what you do!

What should our readers know about your business?
I started PWA four years ago when I expanded my studio from one-on-one training to expand not only my studio, but also my brand, which is ME. My unique look and personal style, feisty personality, and flourishing chic boutique studio, gave me the natural vision and drive to build an open and welcoming premiere studio for any type of fitness prospect. Not only that, I also became one of Instagram’s top influencers in just under a year. Was this easy? ABSOLUTELY NOT. As an entrepreneur it is imperative to learn from your mistakes, being flexible to change and adjusting to things you cannot control. You need to have hustle and drive to become a successful business owner. I’ve followed the rule: never start a business just to “make money”, start a business to make a difference. PWA has made a difference, is making a difference, and will continue to conquer the Los Angeles Pilates community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles is such an exciting city! What makes LA unique is it’s a dreamers city where you can become anything, do everything, and make it look good. Some of my favorite things to do in LA are: – Hiking! There are million beautiful places to hike from the city to the mountains to the beach. All within your reach and always the perfect weather. – Music! I love that LA houses some of the most intimate venues where you can see your favorite band in a visceral setting. – Dogs! I am a pet lover, especially dogs, and LA is a dog loving city. You can take them to lunch, hike, amusement parks — literally everywhere. It also has ample adoption agencies where you can find a furry friend that cares for the both the owner and dog. – Art and museums! LA is always hosting some of the most exclusive exhibits in the world. Fortunately, I have had the pleasure of seeing quite a few. One of my favorite museums is the Grammy Museum and the Museum of Death (I told you they have a museum for just about everything :-)). – Night life! In the whole city of LA, there is ONE club you can find me at with the best DJs in town. It starts with a “C” and ends with an “N”, across from the In N Out in Culver City — if you can guess, I’ll see you there Friday night!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve had a few KEY mentors along the way, throughout building the success of my studio & brand. I like to start with Lori Manse & Cathy Lyman from Austin, Tx. These beautiful ladies showed me how to become a confident Instructor and always helped support me when I was in a new city! In Los Angeles, Erika Quest, Cecilla Pulido, Lisa Hubbard & the team at PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) helped me take an idea and transform it into what is (now) a nationally accredited Pilates Workshop, Pilates With Ashlee’s: Behind the Hustle: Business Tools for Fitness Professionals (you can find more info on this workshop at www.pilateswithashlee.com/workshop). Without these women, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities to present it, fine tune it, or all around support in my ideas. “Every women’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re STRONGEST when we cheer each other on!” – Serena Williams

Website: www.pilateswithashlee.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pilateswithashlee/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teampwa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashlee.carignan/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pilates-with-ashlee-los-angeles-2?osq=pilates+with+Ashlee
Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCp2BSmYoxTabp_DNWuMdqBw
Other: Google My Business: http://bit.ly/GoogleReviewPWA NextDoor: https://bit.ly/PWAnextdoor

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.