We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelly Schur Ally Ponte a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kelly Schur, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.
We like to say that fitness fate brought our worlds together after meeting at a local gym over thirteen years ago. Bonding over our love of all things dance, our friendship quickly blossomed from BFF’s to business partners. With a passionate purpose, we set out to fill a void in the fitness industry by creating exercise based dance fitness programming for professionals. Today, not only do we have the privilege of teaching and training instructors, we have the incredible privilege of running our own fitness studio, and helping our members live their best life, get fit and have fun along the way.
Our thirty five year background in the fitness and studio dance industries, served as the runway for where we are today. We’ve developed several integrated brands, designed specialized fitness formats, presented on some of our industry’s biggest stages conducting educational and movement classes and workshops, educated and trained thousands of instructors, choreographed corporate and special event flash mobs, all while running a hybrid fitness studio conducting daily In-person and LIVEStream classes serving people all over the world.
Lessons we’ve learned….Oh, where do we even start? Being women business owners, besties, fitness studio bosses, and industry educators has taught us a ton of life lessons. It’s been an amazing adventure!
First off, we’ve learned the power of teamwork. Running a business with your best friend isn’t always smooth sailing, but it’s taught us how to communicate, compromise, and lift each other up when times get tough. We’ve realized that having a strong support system is key, and we’ve got each other’s backs no matter what.
Flexibility is another big one. Things never go as planned. Being able to pivot, adapt, and roll with the punches has been crucial. We’ve learned that change isn’t always a bad thing; it can lead to new opportunities and growth.
Speaking of growth, personal and professional development is a continuous journey. We’ve had to keep learning, evolving, and staying ahead of the game in the ever-changing fitness industry. It’s taught us that there’s always room to improve, and staying curious and open-minded is essential.
Running a fitness studio has also taught us the importance of self-care. We’re so focused on taking care of our clients and students that we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves. We’ve learned to prioritize our own well-being to keep going strong.
And let’s not forget resilience. We’ve faced our fair share of challenges and unexpected setbacks. But we’ve learned that setbacks are just setups for comebacks. We’ve become more resilient, determined, and ready to tackle whatever comes our way.
Lastly, we’ve benefitted from the incredible power of community. Our participants, friends and fellow fitness professionals have become like family. Building a supportive and inclusive community around our business has been one of the most rewarding aspects of our journey. It’s amazing how people can come together through a shared love of movement.
Kelly Schur, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Vibe Fitness Studio isn’t your typical boutique studio. It’s basically a dream come true for us – a pair of besties and business partners who decided to turn it into reality through some careful planning and a whole lot of heart. Our vibe is all about making sure everyone has the best time while breaking a sweat, and we’ve crafted a space that’s more than just a place to work out. It’s where people can escape the daily grind, give themselves some TLC, and make new friends in the process.
We’re all about being inclusive and looking after our participants’ overall well-being, covering everything from physical health to social fitness and everything in between. At VFS, it’s like a one-stop shop for connecting with yourself and others. Our atmosphere is all about support, acceptance, and spreading nothing but good vibes, creating a wonderful community where love and positivity thrive.
Through our hybrid classes (Studio/Virtual) we have the privilege of helping people live their best life, get fit and have fun along the way. Our wildly successful dance fitness classes are the signature of our business. We are best known for fun, effective and results driven programs made for everybody and every body. Vibe dance fitness classes are easy to follow, yet challenging in order to boost brainpower, build cardiovascular health, muscular strength, mobility, and endurance. Our strength and barre classes build lean muscle mass which not only increases functional movement but also has powerful longevity benefits. Our modalities include dance fitness, studio inspired cardio dance, cardio strength, strength and mobility training, barre, recovery stretch, kickboxing, step, core, and foam rolling.
Beyond group classes, our recent studio expansion includes semi private personal training as well as personal wellness coaching and fit pro mentorship. Vibe Fitness Studio has re-defined wellness beyond the basics through guidance with unwavering support to help our clients not just survive, but to thrive and feel happier, healthier, and better than they have ever imagined.
The opportunity to live out our personal and professional vision on a daily basis has been a dream come true. It is an honor to be trusted with the wellness transformation process. And as two time recipients of Best Fitness Center of Forsyth County Awards for 2022 and 2023, we are extremely grateful to walk (or in many cases…dance) alongside our clients who are making positive changes on their journey to a healthier lifestyle and having fun along the way.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Absolutely, we get asked this question a lot, and it’s a good one because the fitness world can be a bit of a jungle with many different philosophies flying around. But just like in any business, it’s crucial to stay open to learning and adapting.
In terms of management and entrepreneurial thinking, there are a few resources that have really shaped our approach.
“The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries is a fantastic read. It’s not a fitness book, but the principles of lean thinking, rapid experimentation, and customer feedback are applicable across the board. We’ve learned how to test and iterate our fitness programs and services. It helps us make sure we’re always on the right track.
Secondly, “Good to Great” by Jim Collins, identifies the characteristics of companies that make the leap from good to truly exceptional. We’ve taken these lessons to heart in our fitness studio, aiming for excellence in everything we do, from customer service to program design.
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear is another fantastic resource that’s had a significant impact whether it’s encouraging our members to make tiny, manageable changes in their wellness routines or optimizing our own business processes step by step…. the principles have been life changing. It’s all about continuous improvement and the idea that small actions can compound into significant results.
And lastly, when it comes to maintaining our entrepreneurial spirit and drive, we love diving into podcasts and TED Talks. Hearing from other business owners and thought leaders keeps our creative juices flowing and gives us fresh perspectives.
In the fitness world, there’s no shortage of resources, and while they may offer different approaches, the core message remains the same: move your body, stay healthy, and keep learning. We’re all about blending the best of these resources to create a fitness experience that’s safe, effective, and fun for our participants.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Beyond all the training and knowledge, there are a few secret weapons that have really made a difference.
First and foremost, it’s all about passion. Not a casual interest… a fiery, can’t-stop-thinking-about-it kind of passion for what you do. When you’re genuinely excited about how you can help others, it becomes evident and shines through even the smallest details. People can feel your enthusiasm, and it’s infectious. Passion keeps you going when things get tough. Passion takes over to persist through challenges. It’s the spark that can’t be extinguished.
Expertise is another game-changer. You’ve got to know your stuff inside out. We’re constantly learning and staying up-to-date with the latest research in fitness. Being experts in our field means we can provide the best guidance to our participants, mentees, and clients. It is what drives us to continually create classes, programs and education for our participants and our industry at large.
And then there’s unwavering commitment. This is all about staying true to your mission no matter what. Our mission is to make fitness fun, accessible, and transformational. We don’t just say it; we live it. We’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment in our studio where everyone feels comfortable and empowered to achieve their fitness goals.
But there’s one more thing that’s key: connecting with people. Building relationships and community is everything. In our fitness world, It’s not just about sets and reps; it’s about building trust, motivating each other, and celebrating wins together. When people know you genuinely care about their well-being, they stick around, and that’s where the real magic happens.
When you combine these components with a little bit of knowledge and an ounce of luck, success is right at your fingertips!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://experiencevibefitness.com/vibe/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experiencevibefitness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/experiencevibefitness
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vibe-fitness-inc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExperienceVibeFitness
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vibe-fitness-studio-cumming-2
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@experiencevibefitness