Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jodi Stolove, owner and CEO of Chair Dancing® Fitness, located in Del Mar, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Chair Dancing® Fitness provides convenient and effective fitness routines done while comfortably "On Your Seat or On Your Feet." An alternative to high-impact aerobics and gym workouts, Chair Dancing® improves muscle tone, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance. These medically sound programs are a new fitness option for active people or those whose physical condition, restricted mobility, or an age limit their participation in conventional forms of exercise. We provide exercise made simple. Sitting or Standing, even barefoot and in a limited amount of space, motivates people who are intimidated or unable to do other mainstream workouts to enjoy the physical and psychological benefits of effective exercise made easy!
Tell us about yourself
With a childhood passion for dance, I have been devoted to teaching dance and fitness for more than thirty years. The Chair Dancing® Fitness concept was born when I fractured my foot and began conducting my dance and aerobic classes from a chair. Creativity born of necessity resulted in my developing unique seated fitness programs combining the pleasure of exercise, dance, and music. I was a pioneer in the chair fitness craze starting in 1985!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Without a doubt, my biggest accomplishment has been seeing people who felt hopeless about exercise to aid their weight loss to lose 120 and more pounds. Chair Dancing® Fitness gave them access to exercise they could say "yes" to doing safely with amazing results. As a fitness expert on-air at QVC Television for nine years, I inspired millions of non-exercisers to find the joy and benefits of becoming more fit!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Running the business end of things is hard. I love what I do. My personal and professional goal is to share my passion and joy for fitness and dance to enhance people's lives. I keep this in mind as I do the "daily grind" of running the business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Show up fully with authentic enthusiasm and passion- For me, showing up fully includes leaving the person I come in contact with feeling they are a bit better and the world is a bit brighter!
- In life and sales, the greatest motivator is love. You are your brand: Being Authentic works; walk your talk! Be consistent in your messaging.
- When there is a problem, find the solution because each customer matters. My business was built on word-of-mouth advertising! People share their success stories. Staying inclusive, non-intimidating, listening to each customer, and building community has sustained my business for more than 30 years.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Our company's goal is to give the opportunity to people with psychological resistance or physical limitations an easy and efficient way to accomplish life-changing healthful exercise with our Chair Aerobics, Chair Weightlifting, and Chair Yoga. What a feel-good it is to turn people on to the rejuvenating power of exercise. When my customers/clients use exercise and fun in the same sentence, I feel like a winner!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.chairdancing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chairdancingfitness/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chairdancingfitness/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chairdancing
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodistolove/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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