We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jamila Brown. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jamila below.
Jamila, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
I got my first client through my mom. She recommend me to one if her friends who had daughters and was wanting to learn how to tumble. I was so nervous about the lesson. Questions were flying through my head such as, will I do good? Will they learn? Will they enjoy it? etc?
After the lesson, I asked the girls what they thought and they LOVED it! Afterwards, I charged the parent via swipe and it was the BEST feeling ever! Upon that, she booked lessons weekly and the girls learned and it was great!
I continued to post my flyer about mobile lessons in a variety of Facebook groups in the Atlanta area and ever since then, my business has taken off with waiting list. Word of mouth has been my best friend!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Mila B and I am the owner of MB Tumbles. MB Tumbles has been in business for two years and I provide mobile tumbling, gymnastics and cheerleading lessons. I have been a cheerleader since I was in 7th grade and have been tumbling ever since. MB Tumbles stands for Mila B Tumbles because even to this day, I can still tumble. I cheered competitively in college and high school. Upon graduating college in 2015, I started working in a tumbling and gymnastics gym and feel in love with teaching kids the nature of the sport.
What sets my business apart from others is the fact that I keep it small and I’m mobile so I come to you. Most gyms have classes with two instructors and 6-8 kids in the group. With doing so, kids get looked over, they aren’t getting the attention they need and they really aren’t learning anything. Because I keep my groups and lessons small, kids are not only having fun but they are getting quality instruction to help them learn, understand and perform a skill properly.
I am most proud of just starting my business and taking that leap of faith.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I use to be in corporate for 3 years and it was NOT fun at all. I feel as if I was not living in my purpose and my life was not being fulfilled. I remember being an hour or so late to work for 3 days straight. When I walked in my boss told me it was bemusing a habit and I broke down crying, told him just be happy I even made it in, quit, ran out the door to the bathroom and cried.
I was so depressed and not happy working in corporate that it finally took its tole on me. After I quit, the next week, I was looking for jobs and there was a full time job opening at a gymnastics gym, I applied, interviewed and started the following week.
If you are not happy, then find your happiness. Step out on faith and know it going to be okay. Yes it is scary but it is all worth it.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source for me has been word of mouth. Because I am mobile, I work with kids and you see results … parents love that! They tell their friends, who tell their friends, who tell their friends and before you know it, I am booked with a waiting list.
Before I started my business, I had a whole marketing plan and strategy. I never had to use it to this day because word of mouth is soooo powerful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.milab.me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milabtumbles/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEDzrYjSrMkb54q-OYJ9ElQ
- Other: https://dot.cards/milab
Image Credits
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