Meet Ana Martinez | Dental Hygienist & Pilates studio owner

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

Hi Ana, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting our Pilates studio was definitely hard and a big challenge, but the positives have far outweighed the negatives. We needed a space for our own health and, with nothing like it around, we decided to create one. We’ve seen how much Pilates has impacted our lives, and we wanted to share that with our friends, family, and the Irving community. As a husband and wife team who already work full-time and have side jobs, we’ve really embraced the process and are loving the journey of building something from scratch.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our business is a boutique-style Pilates studio, and what sets us apart is that we’re not a franchise , we’re a small, locally-owned business with a big heart. Our studio is intentionally small because we want every client to feel seen, supported, and cared for. Our instructors take the time to learn your name, understand your goals, and challenge you as you grow.

We also believe that exercise should not be a luxury. With today’s rising costs, we understand how hard people work to take care of themselves, and we want to make that easier. That’s why we keep our prices accessible, offer monthly specials, and regularly host free or low-cost outdoor events. We also create fun opportunities for clients to win free classes, because wellness should be within everyone’s reach.

With a background in the health field, we understand the true value of movement. This studio isn’t just a place to work out it’s a space to clear your mind, reset, and recharge so you can continue giving your best to everything else in your day. We’ve built this space with love, intention, and community in mind, and we’re proud of the welcoming environment we’ve created.

It hasn’t been easy getting to where we are today. My husband and I are both Latino and first-generation college graduates in our families. From the moment we met, our vision was clear: we were going to work hard to build the life we dreamed of. Over the years, we’ve invested in our education, our careers, and in real estate but this studio has been our biggest and boldest passion project yet.

Starting a business while juggling full-time jobs and personal responsibilities has come with its challenges. One of the hardest parts has been learning how to separate business from personal life, especially as a husband and wife team. But we’ve taken every obstacle as an opportunity to grow, and we’re learning every step of the way.

We want people to know that dreams take real work but they’re possible. We come from very humble beginnings, and we’ve spent our early 20s hustling, taking on multiple jobs, and pushing through the stress of building something from the ground up. But we believe if you don’t go after your dreams for yourself, no one else will do it for you.

This studio represents more than just a business it’s a symbol of what can happen when you commit to your goals, stay true to your vision, and never stop believing in what’s possible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of our favorite spots in the city of Irving is the Heritage District, it’s where our studio is located, and we’re so proud to be part of its growth and transformation. The area is expanding quickly and has such a special community feel. You’ll find monthly free events at Heritage Park, movies under the stars, and amazing local spots like Griff’s Burgers, nearby ice cream shops, and of course, Alma’s Café. And now, you can also visit your favorite Pilates studio right in the heart of it all! We love being part of this vibrant neighborhood and can’t wait to see it continue to thrive.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We’ve been incredibly lucky to have so many amazing people supporting us throughout this journey, and there’s no way we could have built our studio without them. First, a huge thank you to our family friends and support team especially Valeria and Leslie for always showing up for us. We also want to give a big shoutout to Gustavo, who helped us renovate and transform our space into what it is today, and to Hugo, our DJ, who’s brought the energy to our outdoor events. Alma’s Cafe for amazing collaborations, Megan for transforming Downtown Irving.

And of course, our amazing team of instructors: Laia, Jenn, Jacy, Sydney C., Sydney L., Jocelyn, and Yanet : you all bring so much passion and talent to the studio. Last but not least, our wonderful receptionists Maylee, Maivi and Camila, thank you for keeping everything running smoothly. This studio is a reflection of everyone’s hard work and heart, and we’re so grateful to be on this journey with such a special team.

Website: https://www.eleven11pilates.com

Instagram: 1111pilates

Facebook: 11:11 Pilates

Image Credits
Photography by @jairisephotography