Leading Lady Spotlight: Nancy Hodari

There's a saying I've been hearing over and over for the past few years, "the future is female." While I believe this is true- there are special group of ladies that have been working towards this goal and pushing the envelope to have it all (from family and work) before us millennials showed up. Nancy Hodari, is one of these ladies - leading by example and setting the bar high for us female entrepreneurs trying to make a difference and build a business in todays ever changing world.

I have known, this awesome lady boss, for many years, from personal friendship connections to being a client at her studio. I was excited when she agreed to do our leading lady interview as I've wanted to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey and how she has been able to "do it all"... I hope you are inspired by Nancy's story and her valuable advice.

{SS}: Tell us about how your business came to be:

{NH}: I am the owner and Education Director of Equilibrium Studios. 21 years ago, I was practicing law, raising 4 children and training to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. A sporadic nerve injury resulted in my third back surgery which left me walking with a brace. Frustrated with my prognosis I did some research and learned for the first time about pilates as a therapeutic exercise.

I was lucky to meet Khita Austin, a teacher working in her basement in Ann Arbor, and the infamous Romana practicing in New York City. The results were amazing and life changing! I quickly realized that Oakland County would not miss another attorney, but was badly in need of a pilates training studio. The timing was right and I was lucky to meet leaders in the pilates education world and was offered a license for the first STOTT PILATES® training studio in the United States.

{SS}: Tell us about your typical day.

{NH}: I work on various teams at the studio so everyday includes communicating with the coordinators of client services, training, marketing, and teaching. With the opening of a second studio in downtown Birmingham I am busier than ever with typical start up tasks; hiring and developing a great team and reaching new clients.

{SS}: What do you love about your job?

{NH}: Wearing workout clothes to work but mainly being in a career where people are genuinely happy and appreciate to receive the services/product I offer. The adversarial aspect of law was interesting but rarely rewarding.

{SS}: Any advice to those starting out in business?

{NH}: Talk to everyone in your profession and identify mentors. Be flexible. Business plans are important as a road map but they are not set in stone. Things will go wrong. Be sure you understand that owning your own business is not for the quasi-lazy person. I constantly hear from women that they want to own their own business for the flexibility they imagine it affords. I would warn them that you will need to work long hours and like motherhood, it is 24/7.

{SS}: What would you tell your 23 year old self?

{NH}: This might surprise your listeners who are accustomed to hearing that they should have slowed down, spent more time with family, and allocated more time for leisure activities. I would tell people that your twenties are an excellent time to learn as much as you can, gain degrees and credentials that you desire, and explore everything that interests you. Be sure to think of ways that you can positively impact your community. Be bold. Work hard. Don’t be afraid of working long hours and of missing a party.

{SS}: Where do you get your daily news fix?

{NH}: Slate, NYTimes, when in a hurry theSkimm, and NPR in the car.

{SS}: What do you do to make yourself feel beautiful, confident and ready to take on anything?

{NH}: I think confident women have a strong sense of self, convictions, and a passion for living life to the fullest. Confident women are always the most beautiful women in the room. Their confidence is real and comes from inside. Nothing looks better on a face of any age than confidence.

{SS}: What is your “Style Archetype?”

{NH}: Sporty Chic

{SS}: Who is your style icon?

{NH}: Trudie Styler

{SS}: Where do you find style + fashion inspiration?

{NH}: Blogs and movies.

{SS}: What is your power song?

{NH}: Human by The Killers

{SS}: What is your power outfit or accessory?

{NH}: My favorite jeans, apple watch, and vintage accessories, including favorite bags, boots, jackets and bangles.

{SS}: Who inspires you and why?

{NH}: Happy people inspire me. You find them in all professions, walks of life, and countries. They are not the thrill seekers looking for the next trip, meal, or purchase. Those people are simply looking for happiness. Happy people are engaged in the world around them and have amazing coping skills to accept life’s imperfections. Happy people genuinely like social interactions. Like confidence, true happiness comes from inside and it is unrelated to your GPA, your income, or your family name.

{SS}: What are your “words to live by”?

{NH}: Two and both by Rainer Maria Rilke:

"To live with Fear and not be afraid is the final test of maturity.”

“A person isn't who they are during the last conversation you had with them - they're who they've been throughout your whole relationship.” -Rainer Maria Rilke

-DETROIT-

FOOD:

Phoenicia, 7 Greens, Selden Standard, Parc, Imperial

ENTERTAINMENT:

Riverwalk, Eastern Market, Maple Theatre, MOCAD, Music Hall, Detroit Opera House

SHOPPING:

Zieben-Mare, Tender, Linda Dresner

Post By Rachel Schostak on Feb 1st 2017 at 10:17 pm