We recently connected with Kiara Burns and have shared our conversation below.

Kiara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Ageism has become a part of a growing conversation in spaces like Hollywood, dance, the work force, technology etc. In addition to having countless private clients who are 55+, I teach seated barre sculpt and strength and mobility classes at Wallis Annenberg GenSpace in Koreatown, Los Angeles. GenSpace is a destination for enriching the lives of older adults through movement, art, horticultural classes, and technology in a bright and open environment.

Being surrounded by the members of GenSpace each week inspired me to dedicate my YouTube channel to offering free and accessible virtual workouts that can immensely improve the quality of people’s’ lives. As a society, we are obsessed with fighting the time that’s passing rather than focusing on celebrating and honoring it. Not to mention how the COVID-19 pandemic brought about periods of such intense isolation that greatly impacted the older members of our community. Movement is healing, community is healing, and I am so excited to get to offer these kinds of flows that people can do and then comment on and let me know what they would like to see more of!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a classically trained dancer of 20 years. After years of reflection, dancing on stage was not what made my soul sing. While in my last year at Boston Conservatory at Berklee where I was studying for a BFA in Contemporary Dance Performance with a Ballet emphasis, I became a Barre Instructor at Pure Barre Boston so I could transition from having to waitress late into the night to make money. After graduation, I moved out to Los Angeles where I had to reconcile with the fact that my body was suffering from many years of overuse injuries and an overall lack of strength training. Through my part time work in fitness and the connection it had to me as a dancer, I found an avenue to continue my career that was wholeheartedly fulfilling and I believe in the end, completely meant to be. I am now a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Prenatal/Postnatal Exercise Specialist, Power Plate Trainer. I train private clients and lead group fitness classes all over the country in addition to having an on demand virtual platform. I have a heightened interest in movement for older adults (people 55+ and seniors) that I believe can so dramatically enhance the quality of people’s’ lives. Encouraging people to move is vitally important for the overall health and heartbeat of our society and the individuals that make it up.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

In January 2020, I made the decision to quit my part time waitressing job and dive head first into group fitness training around Los Angeles. That all came to an abrupt halt in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. While I immediately started collecting unemployment money, I was also given the ability to teach virtual classes about five hours a week for one of the fitness studios I was working for at the time. I knew I had to act quickly because five hours a week of teaching does NOT pay the bills, and I could tell that gyms and private fitness studios were going to be suffering for quite some time. August 202o was when I used money I received from unemployment to start my own fitness brand. It was truly such a dark time, but in so many ways gave me the push and the capital to turn my creative vision into a reality.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

At the end of the day, people choose you for you. There are a million realtors, attorneys, doctors, you name it all over the country. You make the choices to surround yourself with specific people and businesses either for convenience, or because you prefer them and their style of business. A vibrant spirit, honesty, integrity, and a zero pressure approach is the way that I run my business and treat others around me. Working out is a choice, taking care of your body through movement is a choice, and I am endlessly grateful to every person that trusts me to guide them in whatever capacity that may be. With my private clients, there is never any pressure to schedule a session. My on demand platform has no strings attached to it, you can cancel at anytime. I am here to lead people through movement sessions openly and honestly to foster an environment that leaves you feeling more grounded and excited to go about your day and connect with the people around you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kiaraburns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiara_burns_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiara-burns-020251167/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgNeKIyhWuVOprv-fYPc64w
• TikTok: @kiaracburns https://www.tiktok.com/@kiaracburns?lang=en

Image Credits
Selo Turner