Asian entrepreneur makes fat sales

by Kate Pritchard - Thursday, 3rd April 2008 -

When Nahid de Belgeonne opened her first cellulite-busting Power Plate fitness studio in central London in 2007, the fitness industry knitted its brows. She had zero experience in the sector, no client base and the Power Plate was practically unheard of. She was bound to fail, right?

Wrong.

In less than a year, the former photographer and stylist has opened four studios across the capital, has a client base of over 3,000, employs 18 members of staff and has sales of £0.5m.

Her vibrating Power Plates have also caused a buzz in the media, featuring in the likes of Grazia, New Woman and The Metro.

So, how do they work? You hold poses such as lunges, squats and crunches on the vibrating platform – if you stay in position you'll get a full-body workout in double-quick time. No wonder Madonna has one in her spare room.

The budding entrepreneur puts her success down to hard graft – she spent months working 16-hour shifts and sleeping on the office floor.

Nahid de Belgeonne is shortlisted for the Entrepreneur of the Year gong in this year's Asian Women of Achievement awards. For more details, click here.

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