Money Stories: Tori Clapham

Tori is the founder of Peaches Pilates, which has studio locations in Bondi, Maroubra, Byron, Fitzroy, and Cronulla - as well as an online program loved by thousands of women in over 24 countries around the world. She is on a mission to reframe the fitness industry from a place of punish and pursuit of unrealistic ideals to self-love.

Peaches has developed a cult following with their no BSand playful attitude whilst enabling clients to really nurture their body through pilates. Peaches is so much more than studios and online programs, Peaches is a community which aims to have REAL conversations, and tackle some of the stickiest subjects women face with authenticity, compassion and humour. 

Beyond her work with Peaches, Tori is a passionate writer, cook, wifey and dog mother to her 7 month old Groodle, Harry. Her favourite past times are drinking too much wine, and eating too much pasta. In that order.

What’s one of your earliest money memories?

Probably saving money for a toy or treat in a little piggy bank. Actually - it’s the tooth fairy! I absolutely loved getting treats from the tooth fairy. I very quickly figured out it was my parents. My Dad was especially generous as a tooth fairy. He would always leave me a note whereas my Mum would just leave me a couple of coins. So that was pretty cool experience.

How would you describe your relationship with money?

I would say first of all that I believe our attitudes to money and our ethics are a reflection of the way we were raised. So I was very fortunate to grow up in a home where we didn’t have to worry about money and I know that this makes me very privileged. In saying that, I work incredibly hard running my own business and have had a job since I was 14 years old and working in a sushi joint! What I would say is that I don’t have a real attachment to money and I’m very generous with my money. Again, this is influenced by my parents who were always generous with their money. They would always be helping out their friends. I remember them often lending their friends money if they needed it. All of this has really shaped the way I think about and behave with my money.

Was there a particular moment or event where you decided to make your financial wellbeing a priority?

It was probably when I really wanted Peaches Pilates to grow and thrive. Obviously to do that you need to have things like a commercial lease in place and that’s very expensive. You need to meet your overheads, pay your staff, make money to be able to pay your staff. So to do that you need to plan and get organised with your finance.

Prior to that, it would have simply been moving out of home to a city like Sydney and paying rent in a suburb like Bondi. If you want to have all those nice things then you need to be on top of money to make that happen.

Biggest money regret?

Oh….. I don’t have many although there was this one purchase. My husband, Chris, never lets me forget it, either. It was a machine. About 7 or 8 years ago I bought this f**king machine that was meant to be like a sculptor come cellulite removing thing. It would have been at least $700, maybe even $800 and I was just a sucker for it. I think I saw it on an infomercial and was completely sold on it. I made all these excuses for it too - it was for circulation and that athletes used it to recover from exercise but really, deep down, it was because I thought it might make my upper thighs more toned. I used it about 3 times? It was bulky, it was loud and it was an absolute disaster. I really regret spending money on it.  AND it also made me feel bad about my body and you should NOT be spending money on things that make you feel inadequate. 

Best piece of money advice you’ve ever received?

It’s probably something Betsy has said to me, which is ‘will spending money on this improve my life?’. It doesn’t have to be a purchase as significant as buying a pet dog, you know? For example, it could be something as simple as buying a beautiful fruit bowl. I bought one recently and it wasn’t expensive or anything but I love it. I love seeing it on my table, it makes me happy and, in my book, that’s money well spent!

Favourite thing to splurge money on?

OMG that’s an easy one - wine, food, partying and FUN! Next question?

Proudest money moment?

Oh - there’s probably a few. I would say paying off my personal loan a number of years ago (that Betsy helped me get - thanks, girl!). Oh, and definitely saving the money from my redundancy at MTV to set up Peaches Pilates was a really cool moment for me. I managed not to spend it. It wasn’t a huge amount of money but I managed to save it and used it to start a business that now employs a whole bunch of people which is pretty cool. Another one, more recently, was seeing the sales for our online program soar which is an achievement I share with my Business Partners, Bec and Chris.

Where or who do you go to when you want to learn about money?

Betsy Westcott - but of course! Like I said, Betsy helped me get a personal loan about 7 years ago when she worked in the bank and she also helps to educate me on things like insurance and income protection which I think is super important as a business owner.

What would you do if you won $100,000?

$100,000?! OMG - I would first of all invest some of it in my business. Then I would go travelling and have lots and lots and lots of fun! I would have a massive party with my friends and get really drunk. I would buy fabulous food and clothes BUT I would put most of it into Peaches Pilates because I’m practical like that.

How do you use your money as a force for good?

Mostly through our business. Any money that we make goes back into our business which is probably why we’ve been able to stay afloat through this time - which is GREAT!  Peaches supports lots of causes and charities that we are passionate about such as the NSW Legal Services that provides complimentary legal services to vulnerable women. On a personal note, I donate to causes like the supporting the recovery efforts after the recent Australian bushfires but mostly I use money as a force for good by investing in Peaches Pilates because Peaches exists to improve the lives of others by making them feel happy, well and that they’re a part of a community.

You can learn more about Tori and even workout with her by checking out www.peachespilates.com. She’s also on instagram as @peachespilates & @toriclapham. As a founding peaches member I can attest that Tori really does make people feel f**king awesome.