Name: Ashley Zettler
Age: 36
Title: Founder and Teacher at Sweatshop on Central
Married/Single: Single and ready to mingle 😉
Kids: Just 2 cats 😉 Cleo and Stella.
City you live in: Phoenix
A typical day in my life includes…
I often joke that I should put a cot in the studio laundry room because I spend more time in the studio than at home. I’m usually balancing my day between operating and growing our businesses, teaching a couple classes (maybe taking one), and most importantly getting to know my students and getting them to know each other. The best part about what I do is growing a community of friends. I spend most of my time at the shop, sweating; hence the name “Sweatshop on Central.”
I was born…
right here in Arizona growing up between Tempe and Ahwatukee. I graduated from Mountain Pointe High School in 1999 and got my bachelor’s in Marketing at Arizona State University in 2002. After graduating from ASU, I went on to earn a second bachelor’s at San Francisco’s Academy of Art in Interior Architecture and Design.
I decided to put my design career on hold in 2013 to pursue my passion for yoga. My mom Mary and I opened Sumits Yoga North Phoenix in November of 2013. When the opportunity came up to open another studio at Uptown Plaza in Phoenix, we jumped at it. We decided it was time to come up with something new and founded Sweatshop on Central. A new concept combining yoga, barre and spin. It’s 3 studios under one roof and one membership. We like to call it Triple-Sweat. We opened in November 2017.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
everything is so close by.
I’m listening to…
I like a lot of top 40 and try to keep up with the latest trends! Right now anything Imagine Dragons but I love that spotify makes it so easy to discover new artists.
My family…
is more like my best friends. Both of my parents moved to Tempe when they were kids graduated from Tempe High School and Arizona State University. They’ve stayed here ever since. My dad has been a prosecutor in Arizona for over 40 years, and my mom has been in commercial real estate around the valley since the early 90’s. I have two siblings. My older sister lives in Alabama with her husband and my 12 year old niece. My (little) brother is right here in Phoenix with my 5-year-old nephew. I try to spend as much time with my nephew as I can; He’s already turning into a little yogi.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
my Granma Zettler. She passed away when I was only 5 years old. I have a few special memories of her, and some family recipes that I try to make from time to time. I’ve always been told what an amazing lady she was and that I look a bit like her. I wish I could have known her better.
One thing I cannot live without…
coffee, chocolate, and my cats (not because I’m a crazy cat lady).
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
an architect or a lawyer like my dad.
I’m inspired by…
hard work.
The one person who motivates me is…
my mom, Mary. For as long as I can remember she has always worked so hard to make everything special for my brother and me. She taught me to be self-motivated, always work hard and to do the best you can not only for yourself but for others. The only thing she hasn’t really had as much luck in motivating me to do is make my bed every morning. Sorry Mom!
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
there is so much negativity in the world these days. I would love if everyone could embrace who they are and own it, and be accepting of the differences between us.
The perfect day would be…
heading up north, turning off my phone, maybe do some hiking, and spend time with family and friends eating and drinking wine.
My first job was…
at the Ahwatukee Dry Cleaners in High School with a bunch of my friends. We had the sweetest boss, and I learned a lot about customer service.
My favorite escape…
I visited Cyprus last summer with my best friends. We spent a ton of time at the beach and exploring the country. My favorite spot was the beach in Ayia Napa. The water is crystal clear and bright blue. We swam way out into the bay and floated around. The water made you’re entire body glow bright blue. It was magical.
My life…
is very busy right now, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! It’s of course scary starting a new business, but I’m just taking it one day at a time. I’m lucky to have so many amazing people around me that want to help. I can’t wait to see what the next few years have in store.
I’m currently working on…
all things Sweatshop on Central; teaching, marketing, managing schedules and staffing, keeping the place clean, and building a community. The hardest part is remembering to work on sleeping!
Always…
is never right.
Never…
is always wrong (I’ve heard this from several yoga teachers, and I find it to be so true).
Favorite Quote…
“Find what you love, let it kill you” – Charles Bukowski
Biggest Dream…
it was to open a yoga studio. I would say now it is to make my studios a place where everyone feels at home and where they can come and make positive changes in their physical and mental health. I also dream of travelling the world.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
excuses. We all have things that we struggle with, but I always try to figure out a solution and keep trying before giving up. The greatest rewards come out of the greatest struggles.
Sweat Shop is as incredible as it’s owners. Congratulations Ashley & Mary!