Q&A with Emily Reid, Owner of Pvolve Fort Worth

Pvolve, a fitness brand offering a unique, clinically-backed low-impact workout method, is rapidly gaining momentum in the boutique fitness industry. Combining functional movement with resistance equipment, Pvolve helps members build strong, mobile, and stable bodies for a healthier, longer life.

The brand’s expansion is driven by passionate entrepreneurs like Emily Reid, owner of Pvolve Fort Worth, who is committed to bringing this transformative fitness approach to her community. After transitioning from a career in education, Emily was drawn to Pvolve’s mission of empowering women through sustainable fitness.

In this Q&A, she shares her journey into franchise ownership, the success of her Fort Worth studio, and how she fosters a sense of community through partnerships and local engagement.

Franchise Chatter (FC): What initially drew you to the Pvolve franchise opportunity, and what made you confident it was the right fit for you?

Emily Reid (ER): I was initially drawn to franchising a Pvolve studio because of the method itself. I discovered the workout organically—I was returning to work after having my first baby and was looking for something I could do at home. I happened to listen to a podcast featuring founder Rachel Katzman, and everything she said resonated with me. She explained how the method is designed for women, leaving you feeling energized rather than broken down, which was especially important to me as a postpartum mom. I ordered the equipment and immediately fell in love with the method. Everything Rachel described in the podcast rang true for me, and I knew I wanted to help spread Pvolve’s mission and message.

FC: How has your experience as a franchisee compared to your expectations before opening your studio?

ER: I have learned so much throughout this process and am incredibly grateful to Pvolve as a franchisor. I didn’t have much business experience prior to opening, but their support has been invaluable—not just through the launch but in ensuring long-term success. Pvolve has also been receptive to our studio’s ideas for marketing and revenue generation. Opening a business is challenging, and having the franchisor’s support has made all the difference.

FC: What advice would you give to someone considering franchise ownership, especially those transitioning from a completely different career?

ER: Before opening a Pvolve franchise, I spent seven years as a teacher. In the beginning, I definitely experienced imposter syndrome. What helped me was recognizing the transferable skills I had from my previous career. I focused on my strengths and built a team to complement them. Additionally, knowing my market well was a huge advantage. I love Fort Worth and had a strong sense of where a studio would thrive and how to integrate the local community. My advice is to get to know your market, lean into your strengths, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or hire where you need support.

FC: What inspired you to leave teaching and pursue franchise ownership, and what was the biggest challenge in making that transition?

ER: I have always been passionate about studio fitness, health and wellness, and I knew I wanted to work in that space one day. My journey to Pvolve happened naturally—I fell in love with the workout and, at the same time, was at a point in my teaching career where I was ready for a new challenge. The hardest part was taking the leap from a career I loved into something completely new and uncertain. I’m so grateful for my husband, Jake, and our incredible support system, who encouraged me to take the risk and trust my intuition.

FC: How have your skills as an educator helped you succeed as a business owner?

ER: There are so many skills I developed as a teacher that translate directly to running a business. I always joke that if I could manage a classroom of 20-plus 13-year-olds, I can manage anyone! But in all seriousness, relationship-building is at the core of both careers. In the classroom, understanding and connecting with my students fostered trust and mutual respect, leading to their success. I hope my team feels the same level of support and encouragement I worked to provide my students.

Teachers also have to be flexible, think on their feet, plan and organize effectively, and communicate clearly—all essential skills for business ownership. Honestly, I believe anyone who taught during COVID should be able to put that on their résumé and get any job they want!

FC: Many teachers are rethinking their careers. What would you say to an educator who is considering a similar move into entrepreneurship?

ER: I would encourage any teacher considering this path to go for it! Have confidence in the skills you’ve developed in the classroom—those abilities are incredibly valuable in business and entrepreneurship. Teachers also tend to have a lifelong learning mindset, which is a huge asset when navigating a new career.

FC: How did you identify a demand for Pvolve’s unique, low-impact workouts in your community, and what strategies have you used to tailor your offerings to meet those needs?

ER: I saw firsthand how Pvolve’s approach drastically improved my own health and fitness. I have always been passionate about wellness and enjoyed working out, but in my late 20s, I started experiencing gut issues, fatigue, and weight gain, despite following a “healthy” lifestyle. I thought the solution was to work out harder and eat even cleaner, but it wasn’t until I started learning about the connection between women’s hormones and exercise that I saw real change.

Many popular fitness trends—intense cardio, high-impact workouts, restrictive diets—are based on research conducted on men. Optimizing men’s hormones often disrupts female hormones, and I love that Pvolve acknowledges this in its approach. The brand was ahead of its time in promoting sustainable, low-impact fitness, and I wanted to bring that message to my community. Seeing how much this mindset shift helped me, I knew other women needed to hear it, too.

FC: What has been the most rewarding part of building a fitness community in Fort Worth?

ER: I absolutely love Fort Worth, and one of my favorite aspects of opening a studio here has been the incredible network of female entrepreneurs. The business community is so supportive—it feels collaborative rather than competitive, which is refreshing. So many businesses have been eager to cross-promote, host pop-ups, and partner with us, and we’re always excited to do the same. Through these relationships, I’ve met amazing women who have become friends and part of my support system, for which I’m so grateful.

FC: How have your clients responded to Pvolve’s approach, and what success stories stand out to you?

ER: Our members love the method! Many fall into the empty-nester demographic, with a strong presence of women over 40. One of the most common things I hear is that Pvolve is a challenging workout that still feels safe and sustainable. I’ve had women tell me they’ve dropped pant sizes, gained muscle definition, and improved their balance.

One member in particular thanked me for bringing Pvolve to Fort Worth. She shared that her mother had experienced health issues due to mobility and balance problems, and she truly believes more women in her age group need this type of workout. That moment brought tears to my eyes.

We also have pregnant clients who appreciate having a workout that feels both safe and effective during such a pivotal time in their lives. Additionally, being near a university, we have younger members who love the workout and enjoy posting about our studio on social media. Seeing such a diverse mix of clients has been incredibly humbling and rewarding.

FC: You’ve partnered with local businesses to promote employee well-being. Can you share more about those collaborations and their impact?

ER: We’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with several local businesses, which has been incredibly rewarding. One of our partners is an insurance agency based in Fort Worth. They have an extensive corporate wellness program and are recognized as a Blue Zone company. They’ve purchased a pool of classes for their employees to use with us. Additionally, we’ve partnered with a local concierge wellness company, offering our members a free monthly B12 shot, along with discounts on sick visits, IV wellness, and lab services through the company.

FC: What role has community engagement played in your studio’s early success, and how do you continue to strengthen those local ties?

ER: Fort Worth has an incredible community of female business owners who are passionate about collaboration. We’ve participated in several cross-marketing campaigns with concierge wellness centers, chiropractors, massage and facial centers, red light saunas, and more. We’ve also partnered with Susan G. Komen, Rutledge Cancer Center, and other foundations to host donation-based classes that raise money and promote wellness in our shared communities. Additionally, we offer student discounts and memberships to TCU students and hope to expand our relationship with the university by offering study break workouts on campus. We love our Horned Frog students!

FC: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the next year, and how do you see your studio evolving within the Fort Worth fitness and wellness landscape?

ER: We’re thrilled that Pvolve is expanding in Texas and look forward to continuing to promote its important message in the Fort Worth community. While we aim to grow our membership base, our primary focus is on community and retaining our current members. We hope to offer meaningful wellness opportunities beyond the method through various partnerships and events. We love the sense of community in our studio and are committed to nurturing that, making Pvolve a place every woman in Fort Worth will want to be a part of!