We’re excited to highlight Julie Pavelek, founder of Denton Classic Pilates and a member of our 2025 AccelerateHER Cohort. With deep roots in Denton and a background in dance, kinesiology, and classical Pilates training, Julie built her business out of both lived experience and a clear gap she saw in the local wellness community. Her work is grounded in the belief that movement heals, and in a commitment to helping clients feel strong, capable, and supported through intentional, traditional Pilates instruction.
In this spotlight, Julie shares her journey into business ownership, the experiences that shaped her teaching philosophy, and what she’s gained from building Denton Classic Pilates alongside the AccelerateHER cohort.
How did you come up with your business concept? What inspired you to start your own business?
Denton Classic Pilates developed out of my personal desire to teach the traditional method of Joseph Pilates on classical Pilates equipment. There are several Pilates studios in Denton but no one was teaching the way I was trained. I knew there was a need for this here and I could take my clientele to the next level. Simultaneously, I was approached by Crystal Hankel, the owner of Denton Sports Chiropractic, to set up shop in her building. I had already been teaching Pilates for 15 years at various studios in DFW, as well as out of my house so I already had some equipment to get started without much of a financial risk. This was the perfect time to take a chance and go for it!
What’s your background? Could you tell us how each of these disciplines emerged in your work?
I grew up in Denton and was a dancer throughout childhood, college and as a young adult. I first experienced Pilates at Texas A&M where I got a degree in kinesiology and dance. I was a public school dance teacher and drill team director right out of college. This experience greatly impacted how I teach today, forcing me to become really good at teaching non-movers how to move, which is a skill I still use every day. I became dedicated to Pilates after a life threatening pregnancy in 2010. Pilates helped rebuild my body and gave me relief from an old back injury that previously caused me pain daily. After years of practicing Pilates, I earned my comprehensive certification with Peak Pilates in 2013. These experiences give me the ability to relate to my clients that are struggling or severely deconditioned. After doing so much Pilates myself, I know what each exercise should feel like and am able to communicate clear instructions, cues and sensations.
What led you to take your work from an idea to pursuing it as a business?
I never set out to be an entrepreneur but it was a natural progression in my career. After being an instructor for so long, I wanted to teach the way Pilates was meant to be taught. To do that, I had to create the space myself since it didn’t already exist in Denton.
Denton Classic Pilates
What is your favorite thing about your workspace?
My studio is a small private training space located inside Denton Sports Chiropractic. One on one lessons are true to the tradition of Pilates. Plus, keeping my overhead small has allowed me to stay profitable. Denton Sports Chiropractic is the perfect home for me because the space offers so many different wellness modalities all by women practitioners. I feel so proud to be part of the community at DSC that has such a fun and supportive culture in addition to offering such exceptional services.
Do you have a personal and/or professional motto or mantra that you call upon during tough times? What is it and what does it mean to you?
After years of having a black and white mindset and being so hard on myself, this business has forced me to utilize more of a growth mindset. In fact, this may be one of the greatest things I’ve gained from owning a business. Every day I tell myself to take one step in the right direction. Some days it’s a big step and some days it’s a small step but it keeps me constantly moving forward.
How do you pick back up on moving your business forward when perhaps feeling uninspired?
My clients are my biggest inspiration and motivate me to be the best teacher I can for them. Helping people feel strong and capable is such an honor and I take it seriously. I am constantly trying to find ways to challenge them, communicate better with them and ultimately help them feel better than when they arrived. Staying focused on their needs so far has kept me moving in the right direction.
What have you gained so far from being a part of the AccelerateHER cohort?
AccelerateHER came at the perfect time because not only have I learned so much but also having time each week devoted to bettering my business as I get up and running has propelled me in ways I could not have achieved on my own. Before opening Denton Classic Pilates I knew nothing about running a business. I never took a business class in college or had a need to learn about business for any reason. AccelerateHER has given me space to learn as I go, gain confidence in the fact that I have a real business, and have the support of the other members of my cohort. I truly look forward to our meetings each week, hearing about their successes and challenges.
Name a woman or gender-expansive individual, past or present, whom you admire or look up to. Why?
Although this woman isn’t a public figure, my chosen sister, Candice Griswold, is someone I look up to specifically in business. She is an entrepreneur with businesses in real estate and the arts, works a job in tech but more importantly she encourages everyone she comes in contact with to meet their full potential. She has been my personal business consultant and cheerleader. She is equal parts fun, enthusiasm, hard work and laser focused determination. Denton Classic Pilates wouldn’t be here without her.
Learn more about Julie Pavelek and Denton Classic Pilates at her website here! And Don’t miss out on seeing Julie and the rest of the 2025 AccelerateHER Cohort at the Wrap Event on January 29th, 2026. RSVP Here.