Lakeside Lagree owner Melanie Booth is enjoying steady growth at her new studio, and she is grateful to the Orillia Area CDC for helping her in that journey.
Lagree is a high-intensity, low-impact full-body workout method that utilizes a patented machine called the Megaformer. Evolved from Pilates, it combines elements of Pilates, strength training, and endurance training, using slow, controlled movements on the Megaformer to build muscle, increase endurance, and sculpt the body without stressing the joints.
Booth, an Orillia native, was a personal trainer in Toronto when she discovered Lagree, and became a certified Lagree trainer in 2014. She worked in the two Lagree studios in Toronto until she moved back to Orillia with her husband and two young children in 2019.
“I have always been an entrepreneur,” she disclosed. “I owned franchises and worked as a personal trainer in Toronto, and then opened up my own, one-machine Lagree Studio in my home in Orillia when I moved back here. I called it Lakeside Lagree as we live on Lake Simcoe.”
Booth’s home studio was such a success, she decided to expand and move outside her home. That’s when the Orillia Area CDC became involved in her entrepreneurial journey.
“My sister is a business coach and told me about the local CDC,” said Booth. “I reached out to Susan, the loans officer at the time. Initially I was just going to borrow a small amount of money, but the machines are expensive and ate up a lot of it, so I ended up borrowing more. The loan was approved in-house, and the whole process was amazing.”
Booth continued, “Without the CDC, I would have had to go to a bank for a loan, or add the business costs to my line of credit, and that just felt scary. The CDC was local, so approachable, and a lot more comfortable environment. The CDC people get it, they are flexible, and they want you to succeed.”
And Booth is succeeding. Since opening in February 2025, she has added two trainers to her staff, added more daily classes, and has seen interest in her studio surge. She currently has a third person in training, to add to her roster. She would like to go from the six or so classes a day she currently offers, to ten or so a day. She is even contemplating opening a second studio in another location.
Booth has also been approached about being a Lagree Master Teacher Trainer, which would involve training in Los Angeles. ‘Then, I could train any teachers I need, myself,” she said.
“At my age, with young children, I am very mindful about my time. As a young entrepreneur, I learned a lot, so I am not going to rush this,” she added. “If it’s meant to be, it will happen. It should be easy.”
Thanks to the staff at the Orillia Area CDC, Booth’s journey as an entrepreneur in Orillia has been easy. “If I do expand, I will absolutely go back to the Orillia Area CDC for another loan and support,” said Booth. “I would encourage any local entrepreneur to reach out to the staff there. They are a shoulder to lean on and give valuable advice. I am so grateful for all of their help and support. We are lucky to have them here.”
Lakeside Lagree is located at 163 Mississaga St. East in downtown Orillia. Visit the website here for more information and to sign up for an introductory class.
The Orillia Area CDC is located at 22 Peter Street South, Orillia. Staff provide counselling, training and funding to local businesses to support job creation, growth and innovation. Visit the website here for more information.
