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

Hi Kerttu, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had never dreamed about owning my own pilates studio. However, when I moved from New York to Colorado, my style of teaching and programming – athletic yet form focused – resonated with a lot of people here. These people pushed me and inspired me to open my own pilates practice offering a style that embodies both a healthy fitness routine as well as being mindful of each individual’s injuries and possible need for modifications. There are so many ways our bodies move and one way does not work for everyone. A lot of professional athletes use pilates for cross-training as it helps to focus on proper form and strengthen smaller stabilizing muscles. I wanted to open a fitness studio that helps people gain knowledge they can apply to other workouts and everyday life.

What should our readers know about your business?
Care•To Pilates opened in March 2020. Two weeks later, the unthinkable happened: a global pandemic forced me to close my brand new business. While it has been a tough beginning (to say the least), it has in so many magical ways also reminded me of why I do what I do. To be able to offer a safe space for people to disconnect from their daily worries and reconnect with themselves to feel grounded. To be able to provide a form of workout that is safe yet challenging for every body. And to present the community with a space where they can connect with each other – all of this has been so rewarding.

I have always been very confident in my brand and vision. But when COVID spread across the world two weeks after I opened my studio, all of those goals were put on hold for about 1.5 years. That was definitely a very discouraging time. While there was a lot of hardship, there was also a lot of growth that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

When the world started to open up, the saying “if you build it, they will come” became very evident. The demand has grown so much that it can sometimes be hard to meet it.

I have learned a lot, but maybe the biggest lesson I gained was to stay focused and grounded on your dreams. If you know where you want to go, you will find a path.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Colorado has so many amazing options for outdoor activities, but one of my favorite hikes is by Brainard Lake. I would also take my friends to Boxcar for morning coffee and pastries. We would end the evening with dinner at Basta and drinks at Rosetta Hall.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My community – they are the ones who helped me get going as well as keep going. It was all of my clients who were part of building the studio – from putting together a business plan to painting the walls of the studio. They were also the ones who kept showing up every day to classes and privates so the business can keep going. Thank you!

Website: www.caretopilates.com

Instagram: caretopilatesstudio

Facebook: caretopilatesstudio

Other: MindBody – Care To Pilates

Image Credits
Alison Vagnini

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