I love seeing local businesses celebrate major milestones, which is why I’m thrilled to introduce you to South Hamilton small business owner Olivia Spector, right as she celebrates one year in business! In 2024, Olivia opened Amethyst Studio, a yoga, pilates, and mat barre studio where movement feels inclusive, supportive and empowering. Keep reading to learn why Olivia made the jump from a career in cybersecurity to Amethyst Studio and get some great, local dining recommendations from this foodie fitness enthusiast!
Where are you from originally and what town do you live in now?
I grew up in Hopkinton, MA (start of the Boston Marathon!), and my husband, Rob, and I moved to Salem 3 years ago. I fell in love with the North Shore visiting some of my best friends from college who grew up in Beverly during summer breaks, and feel so lucky to get to live here now!
What’s your favorite activity to do on the North Shore?
As simple as it is, one of my favorite things to do is just walking around the historic district in Salem seeing all the amazing older homes (especially as the leaves start to change!). Especially when friends & family come up to the North Shore, I love showing them around Salem. During the summer, I also really enjoy paddle boarding when I need a little nature time!
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop on the North Shore?
My absolute favorite dinner spot is Settler in Salem! My husband and I are spoiled that we can walk there, so it’s been such a great date night spot for us. Mill River Winery in Rowley is also another favorite of ours, and we really look forward to trying their new wines throughout the year. When I’m at the studio, I love going to Honeycomb in Hamilton- their breakfast is always the perfect fuel after a busy morning teaching!
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to start Amethyst Studio.
I’ve dreamed of opening a movement studio since I was in high school. I still remember going to a pilates class with my mom- the owner was teaching that night, and I was so inspired watching her do what she loved for a living. It was also the first time I’d been in a class that focused on helping people feel good in their bodies, rather than on ‘losing weight’ or ‘getting smaller.’ That experience really lit a spark in me, and I knew I wanted to teach one day and help others find that same connection.
Like many people, I followed a more traditional path after college and built a career in cybersecurity throughout my 20s, while teaching yoga on the side to stay connected to that passion. Eventually, though, it became impossible to ignore that pull- teaching just a few classes a week wasn’t enough anymore, so I took a huge leap of faith and left my tech career to open Amethyst!
It’s been almost a year now, and while it’s definitely been one of the scariest and most vulnerable things I’ve ever done, it’s also been the most rewarding. My goal with Amethyst has always been to create a space where movement feels inclusive, supportive, and empowering- I’m so grateful I took the chance to build something that feels aligned with who I am and what I love!
Where is Amethyst Studio located?
South Hamilton in the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing Plaza! We have lots of parking, and are right across from the commuter rail station.
What types of classes do you offer at Amethyst Studio?
We offer daily yoga, pilates, and mat barre (think: barre-less barre!) classes with a little something for everyone- from fiery vinyasa flows and energizing pilates to beat-driven barre and grounding restorative yoga. We also offer specialty fusion classes like “pilates & restore’ and ‘barre & restore,’ blending strength and restorative yoga in one class.
Our studio is also intentionally non-heated (typically around 70–75°) to keep classes accessible to all, especially pre and postnatal students. This allows everyone to stay in tune with their body and move safely, effectively, and mindfully!
What’s your favorite class to teach?
So hard to choose, but it’s probably a tie between vinyasa flow, and pilates & restore! I love how both emphasize working to the rhythm of your breath, and incorporate fluid strong movement. There is nothing better than seeing your students leave class feeling super strong and grounded at the same time!
You’re about to celebrate one year in business. Congratulations! Any tips on finding balance as a small business owner?
Finding balance has definitely been one of the biggest learning curves over this past year- especially as “work” and “life” start to intertwine from your passion becoming your career! I think the biggest tip is making sure you have designated time during the week exclusively meant to recharge–for me that means one day a week where I do not go into the studio or do any backend business responsibilities (even though the endless to-do list is tempting!). Instead I prioritize resting and seeing my friends and family to recharge. In the beginning, that was only a few hours here and there, but as the business has grown, I’ve been able to add time little by little to make it a full day.
My other tip is it’s so important to reframe, “time for yourself,” as a productive necessity rather than an optional luxury. It’s really easy to fall into a headspace where we feel guilty for recharging when life is always so busy, but carving out this time is actually what prevents burnout, and gives us energy to show up more fully for everything else!
How can community members who are new to Amethyst Studio join in your 1 Year Celebration?
Come join any of our 4 free classes on 11/15 + 11/16 to celebrate! We have a mixture of pilates, yoga & barre classes available that weekend, and we encourage you to sign up with a friend to celebrate! Sign up in advance is required, and can be done from our Union events page!
You also offer reiki sessions. What are some of the benefits your clients most enjoy from their sessions?
Reiki often feels like a full-body exhale- a release someone didn’t even realize they were holding. The most common benefits my clients share are feeling calmer in their nervous system, more grounded and clear-headed, and less physically tense- especially in the jaw, shoulders, and chest where we tend to hold a lot of emotions. Many also say they sleep better afterward or feel like they’ve had an energetic “reset,” which is especially helpful during busy or stressful seasons!
What’s your favorite thing to do when you need some “me” time?
Depending on my mood, sometimes it’s curling up with my cat Winnie and catching up on my favorite Bravo shows, other times it’s cooking a cozy dinner for Rob and I, taking a class at another studio so I get to be the student, or booking a massage when my body needs a little extra recovery from teaching!
Find more details on Amethyst Studio, including their class descriptions and schedule at www.amethyst-studio.com. Follow along with Olivia on Instagram @the_amethyst_studio, on Facebook @Amethyst Studio or Tik Tok @the_amethyst_studio. And be sure to join them on Saturday, November 15th and Sunday, November 16th for their 1-Year Celebration with free classes and festivities.
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This post is sponsored by Amethyst Studio but all opinions present are my own.