Meet Eric, one of the owners of Neumovement. Eric jumped on board with Neumovement in 2014, helping out in any way he could. You can catch him in and out of the clinics working hard on all things NEU. We asked Eric some questions so you can get to know him a little better!
Why did you decide to start Neumovement?
I did not start Neumovement, I jumped on board in 2014 and tried to help out any way I could! I started helping Lara and Jen out with marketing, building the walls and helping install the floors of the Glenmore location, and continued doing the maintenance and worked long hours at the front desk! I loved the environment, and being part of a community that wanted to help people. That was such a rewarding feeling that I had been missing in my life. I've been committed to this Neumovement journey ever since!
How has Neumovement evolved since the beginning?
We like to say it was a Pilates Studio that grew up and became a Physio/Pilates clinic. If you have been along for the ride long enough, you will know that we have tried a lot of different approaches to movement and health. In the past we have offered Chiropractic services, Yoga, and Acupuncture, and ,tried creating our own fitness programs, with Neu Spring and Neu Wall Yoga. The momentum of the company really took off when we got super clear on who we were and what we could do exceptionally well, and be a leader in the market with. Offering Physiotherapy, Pilates, Kinesiology and RMT is our sweet spot!
What have you learned as a business owner?
Great teams make great businesses.
Where do you see the business in five years?
Hard question to answer, to be honest, we like to have loosely held goals and be flexible with how we get there! This adaptability is based on our continuous need to correct as we go, primarily due to the need to juggle kids and family as core values while we build the businesses.
There have been some preliminary discussions about a possible 4th Neu location, We are actively looking to offer our in-person Pilates Teacher Trainings again, and we have recently expanded our Online Neu Pilates Teacher Training with students across Canada, the USA and Europe. So I can 100% confirm that we are excited about the future at this moment!
How have you grown personally since starting the business?
What a big question! I think owning, operating and growing a small business is one of the wildest personal growth journeys a person can go on. My experience has been having to directly face head-on all my insecurities, my core program stories, my feelings of 'not good enough' and my dysfunctions in relationships. I was exceptionally lucky to have a "business" coach, named Val, who sadly passed away this year. She helped us immensely, and showed us that business is a direct reflection of the work you do on yourself. Today I feel like a different person, I've successfully taken down walls, learned to connect with people in a more meaningful way, and developed more confidence, but the process continues! Business always finds a way to continue offering you personal hurdles and challenges to face and overcome! That's why it can be so rewarding a journey to take!
Who do you look up to in your life and why?
Lara Yanik! My wife, business partner and co-parent. I see how much she cares, how kind she is, how smart she is, and how hard she works. She is so brilliant and so humble that it inspires me to be better!
What are you most grateful for?
My Boys, Owen and Theo. I love them so much and I am soooo incredibly grateful to have them in my life. They are magic!
Where is one place you would travel to and why?
Just one??? I really like being by the ocean, so Costa Rica has caught my eye as somewhere I'd like to experience soon. Japan for its unique culture! Spain, Portugal, and Greece in Europe. The list goes on... I hope to have a lot of adventures with my family in the future!
How would you describe yourself?
Curious, kind, strong, growing and always trying to have a bit of fun in the process!