As a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher and experienced exercise therapist, Kares has spent more than three decades helping people rediscover their potential through purposeful, evidence-based movement. Her journey began in the rehabilitation field, where she worked for 12 years supporting individuals with complex injuries.

However, it was through her early exposure to Pilates—paired with a deep curiosity about efficient movement—that her path began to change.

“I remember one of my first clients told me she felt better after three sessions with me than nine months of treatment,” said Kares. “That moment stayed with me. I knew I wanted to build something rooted in long-term results and meaningful connection.”

Today, Kares is the owner and founder of Movement Unlimited, a Niagara-based functional movement and Pilates studio that offers one-on-one therapy, small group training, and specialized wellness programs for people of all ages and abilities—from high-performance athletes to those recovering from injury or illness.

With a highly trained interdisciplinary team, Movement Unlimited’s services are designed to improve mobility, strength, and confidence through a whole-body, individualized approach.

However, while their client impact was powerful, Kares recognized that the business needed support in communicating its value to a broader audience.

That’s when Niagara College’s (NC) Business & Commercialization Innovation Centre (BCIC) stepped in.

Movement Unlimited learned about BCIC through a Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce lunch-and-learn session and immediately saw the potential. “We don’t have a formal marketing department, and we didn’t know how to create a cohesive brand message,” said Kares. “We wanted to do better, but we needed support. NC gave us exactly that.”

Through its partnership with BCIC, Movement Unlimited gained far more than a strategy—it gained clarity, consistency, and confidence.

The project began with market research and a growth strategy, where the BCIC team worked closely with Allison Kares and her staff to gain a deeper understanding of the studio’s ideal client, evaluate demographic insights, and identify where to focus their messaging efforts. This exercise aligned the team, offering not only data but direction.

“One of the biggest shifts was realizing we don’t have to market to everyone,” said Kares. “The [BCIC team] helped us clearly define who we’re trying to reach and gave us permission to focus our energy there. That was huge.”

Previously, Movement Unlimited found itself trying to accommodate every potential client. But with the help of BCIC, they shifted their approach. The project guided them toward developing a clear profile of the clients best suited to their services—individuals looking for a more personalized, whole-body approach to movement, many of whom had not connected with traditional fitness or rehabilitation models.

“It helped our team stop chasing every potential client and instead talk directly to the people who are the right fit,” Kares explained. “That shift allowed us to refine our messaging and better support our retention goals—not just attracting clients but keeping the ones who belong here.”

In addition to the research, the collaboration extended to a comprehensive social media strategy and its execution. The BCIC team developed creative content ideas, filmed video footage and photography onsite at the studio, edited the materials, and even posted the final content directly to Movement Unlimited’s social platforms. The process included refining messaging, animating the studio’s logo for use in video, and enhancing the overall look and feel of their digital presence.

“It was a full-service experience,” said Kares. “And the best part was—it actually felt like us. They encouraged us to speak in our own tone, to market the way we teach. That validation, along with the professional content, gave us the tools and confidence to build a stronger brand.”

The value wasn’t just in the content created, but in the mindset shift it enabled. Kares noted that the team became more focused, more energized, and more aware of how to connect with the right audience—clients who are aligned with the studio’s mission and methods.

While the studio continues to develop tools to track long-term analytics, the early response has been overwhelmingly positive. Clients have commented on the new content, shared posts, and engaged more actively in studio conversations—indicators of stronger community connection and online reach.

“We’re already seeing more engagement and more excitement,” Kares added. “The feedback has been incredibly encouraging, and we’re excited to build on this momentum.”

“I’ve done similar projects before with MBA students, and the NC team exceeded every expectation,” said Kares. “They understood who we were right away. Every presentation, every recommendation—it felt like they knew us better than we knew ourselves.”

The project also created valuable Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities for NC students, who contributed directly to the research, strategy, and content creation process. Since its launch in 2020, BCIC has completed over 68 applied research projects across health and wellness, digital tech, manufacturing, retail, and food and beverage—empowering businesses while preparing students for careers in marketing, entrepreneurship, and industry consulting.

For Kares, the experience with Niagara College was not just a one-time project—it was the beginning of a lasting connection. Impressed by the professionalism, insight, and care brought to the collaboration, she’s already become an advocate for the College’s business research services.

“I’ve already connected several other businesses to [NC’s Research and Innovation team],” she said. “If someone doesn’t know where to start or needs help refining their direction, this is the place to go. The team does the background work, they guide you through every step, and they care about helping you succeed.”

With a renewed brand, a focused message, and a growing online presence, Movement Unlimited is excited about what’s ahead—and grateful for the partnership that helped get them there.

“We’d love to work with Niagara College again,” said Kares. “It’s an incredible resource for small businesses, and I’ve already recommended it to several others. If you’re unsure how to grow, refine your message, or reach the right clients, this is the team you want beside you.”

You can learn more about BCIC resources and capabilities by visiting our website:

Together, we will determine how best to meet your needs, whether we perform a quick turnaround service, or a full innovation project.
Contact David DiPietro, Manager, Business Development, at [email protected].