Jane Wilson is a former Early Childhood Educator, College Instructor and founder of PoleFit Nation – a pole dancing for a fitness company. Over the past 10 years, she has helped thousands of women to feel strong, empowered and confident. She has been Chamber of Commerce – Entrepreneur Of The Year nominee 2011 and 2017. She is the Canadian Masters Pole Fitness Champion of 2015, performed in Burlesque for 5 years with notable performers such as Dita Von Teese and she has been featured in Canadian Living. She is the creator of Reclaim Your Spark podcast and speaks about how to feel vibrant so you can rock your life.
Hey Jane, how it is all going?
Very well! Life is great!
Can you talk us through a typical 24 hour in your shoes?
Every day is a bit different – which I LOVE! I’m a busy mama, leading a family, a business and helping women to feel vibrant! My day actually starts at 7:00 am, get kids ready and off to school. I set aside 1 hour after the boys leave – a morning walk, breakfast and cup of tea During the daytime, I am either recording new podcast, interviews, submitting for conferences, connecting/networking, rehearsing keynote speech, speaking at companies/employees about feeling inspired and excited with life or teaching private pole lessons.
Evenings, I am in the studio – either teaching or connecting with students.
What were the first steps you took to set up PoleFit Nation?
In 2007, I was feeling old (I was 33…oh lord, not old!) and overweight. A friend encouraged me to take a pole dancing lesson and I was deeply offended – “Good mama’s don’t pole dance!” I responded However, she dared me into and I grudgingly took my first class. I FELL IN LOVE WITH POLE! So I took class after class – it was like a countdown to pole class! I felt strong, sexy and excited about life.
After a year, I decided to take the leap and open my own studio. It wasn’t easy, I was turned down by 10 landlords who didn’t want to rent out space to me. But I didn’t give up, and finally found the perfect space and I never looked back! That was 10 years ago, and I am still loving every moment of it!
What are you currently learning about as an entrepreneur?
Podcasting and how to best serve the listeners of your podcast.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
‘Don’t apologise for raising your rates’
Best advice you could give to a rising entrepreneur?
Be hungry and schedule some rest time. It’s a marathon, not a race.
What 3 key factors do entrepreneurs need to survive the journey?
1. Understand it’s about THRIVING not surviving the journey. Have fun with being an entrepreneur – this is the best time to be an entrepreneur.
2. Realise that you are solving a problem – once you determine the problem you are solving, you will better serve your customers.
3. Your customers are your audience – dazzle them and they will become your fans.
Who do you feel is an inspiration to your life?
I come from a family of strong women – my mother, grandmother, and aunts. They were strong, independent and fierce. Unfortunately, they all passed away at young ages, so I feel that I am carrying on their legacy.
What would you say to your 21-year-old self?
At 21 years old, I was getting married (I ran away at a young age and got married because I was crazy in love. 22 years later, I am still married and crazy in love with the same boy) I was excited about life and highly motivated. I would say to my younger self. Keep that motivation going and you are going to love this journey! Oh, and lose your scarcity mindset as soon as possible.
What has been the winning moment for you so far?
Rising and getting back into my business after my parents passed away. Their deaths left me feeling devastated and I took 1 year off from my business. That was a major self-care year. When I was ready, I returned to work and felt rested and inspired again. What books are you currently reading right now that you find motivational? “Life Is A Gift” by Tony Bennett – my favourite performer and an excellent Sunday afternoon read.
You also have your own podcast show ‘Reclaim Your Spark,’ can you tell us how the incentive came about?
Reclaim Your Spark was created to help women who have experienced a loss, disappointment or life change that has left them feeling devastated. We live complexed lives – we don’t get to escape disappointment or expectations not being met.
We can become inspired not in spite of these events, but BECAUSE of them. Each episode of the podcast provides a story on how to feel vibrant and inspired by life again.
What other podcasts are you listening to right now that you really enjoy?
This morning, I started my day with The Unpodcast with Scott and Allison Stratten. Great podcast with great people.
What are your goals for the next 6 months and how are you striving to achieve them?
Continue growing the brand of Reclaim Your Spark – speaking to women all over the world about how to feel vibrant and excited about life. My favourite quote is “Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time” by Winston Churchill. Every day, there is action towards sharing this message of rising, dusting yourself off and feeling energized again. Submitting to a conference, connecting with meeting planners and finding places to speak.
What are the most social media platforms do you find are most beneficial for you to raise brand awareness?
Dear Instagram – how I love thee, let me count the ways! You can find me at @TheJaneWilson – I am engaged and love to cheer people on. Lastly, FB Ads for the win!
Any challenging times you have had to overcome? If so how did you overcome them?
Personally, the death of my parents. Professionally, always always stay on top of your bookkeeping. It’s a nightmare when you are behind and it feels SO good to when you are current!
What does success look like in your eyes?
A Sunday morning with a happy well-rested family. Peace, calm and excited about life. And a bank account full of money and no worries ~ #sundayvibes
What does it mean to you to truly #BEYOUROWN?
My grandmother was the epitome of being your own. In 1950, she took charge of her life and found employment with a great company. My father and uncle were young and she had to work in order to provide a life so her boys would succeed. She faced criticism for working (remember it was the 50s)
She faced overwhelmed with balancing work and family. She had a husband who wasn’t supportive or financially responsible. She took charge and started a legacy for the future generations of our family. This role model taught me to that it’s up to me to succeed and create my own opportunities.
That I am responsible for my financial and personal success. I am so lucky to learn early in life about this legacy.
Lastly, what can we expect to see from you this year?
You will hear my voice and see me on stage – sharing stories of women who reclaimed their spark and are rock stars in their lives.
Youtube: @PoleFit Nation
Instagram: @TheJaneWilson | @PoleFitNation
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoleFitNation/
Podcast: Reclaim Your Spark
Website: www.janewilson.com | www.polefitnation.com
