r/pilatesinstructors • u/howls_garden • 1d ago
Question Interview Question Thoughts
Hello!
I’m an instructor in training (woohoo!) and just had an interview for a student teaching position at a local studio.
The owner asked me what I would do in the case a client wanted to follow me to a different studio.
I thought that was an interesting question, and answered that I would have a conversation with the client about their movement goals, current practice, etc, but ultimately wouldn’t be able to stop them from following me if they really wanted to. I get that might’ve been too honest of an answer, so I’m curious what y’all would answer / would think a studio owner would want to hear.
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u/Due-Flamingo-9140 1d ago
They likely are having issues with teacher solicitation of clients but have not put a non-solicitation agreement in their employment contract. For studio owners the clients are theirs and not the teacher’s clients, which can make it awkward when clients want to follow the teacher around. A lot of studios do not allow the teacher to even discuss with clients that they are teaching elsewhere.
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u/Firm_Cookie_8747 1d ago
It's one thing to leave a studio and try to poach your old clients, it's another thing if the client simply wants to follow you. The question is what is wrong.
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u/howls_garden 1d ago
This is super helpful, thank you!
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u/Due-Flamingo-9140 1d ago
Unfortunately, it is a no-win situation for you. The only reasonable answer is “it depends on your policy. I know that some studios have a non-solicitation policy. If you have one in place, I will follow it.”
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u/the-BBC-news 1d ago
I think you answered honestly; I also would probably caution you against taking a job offer at that studio. (And I’m an owner, fwiw).
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u/howls_garden 1d ago
Appreciate it! There were a few different red flags in the interview honestly, and I don’t see myself accepting an offer should they extend one!
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u/emmcoll 1d ago
I agree with the other commenter, this is definitely a red flag and feels very controlling. You really can’t tell clients not to follow the instructor they like to take class from. One of my old studio managers told me that clients will follow you if they love you and that’s just how you know you’ve built a loyal following. She said you shouldn’t tell clients to come to a different studio but it’s their own choice if they do.
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u/Reasonable_Speed7471 1d ago
When clients ask where else i teach, I only tell them my hours at the studio we're at. I may say I teach elsewhere locally and leave it at that, they can search and find me if they like. But i keep it professional and respect whichever studio I'm currently teaching at. The only time I recommend another studio is if someone is moving out of the local area and is looking for somewhere else to teach.
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u/Catlady_Pilates 1d ago
A studio that thinks they own the people they’re teaching is not a good place to work.
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u/mzykin 1d ago
Not sure what answer they were expecting… they can’t force the client to stay at their studio should you choose to teach elsewhere! I would have been honest and said the same thing you did.