We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Paige Negrete. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Paige below.

Hi Paige, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

One of the most important and formative experiences I had that shaped me as a business owner was my time working at a gymnastics facility in Redlands, CA. That job was so much more than just a paycheck—it was the foundation for everything I do today. I first started as a recreational coach, just dipping my toes into the world of gymnastics instruction. But pretty quickly, I found myself wearing a lot of different hats: I coached Hotshots and Pre-Team, moved into team coaching, worked the front desk, and eventually took on the role of Recreational Director.

Each of those roles taught me something different and essential. Coaching helped me understand child development, motivation, and communication with both kids and parents. Working the front desk gave me firsthand experience in customer service and operations—how to handle scheduling, solve problems, and make every family feel seen and heard. As Recreational Director, I learned how to build systems, train staff, and maintain the integrity of a program across many moving parts.

Being so deeply involved in all facets of the business gave me a unique 360-degree view of how a gymnastics program runs—and more importantly, what makes it thrive. It gave me the confidence, experience, and insight I needed to eventually launch my own company, South Bay Sprouts Gymnastics, and our program Cartwheelin’ Cuties® . I didn’t realize it at the time, but all those different roles were preparing me to lead something of my own. That job taught me that no role is too small when you’re building something meaningful—and that wearing multiple hats is actually the best training ground for entrepreneurship.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Paige Negrete, and I’m the founder of Cartwheelin’ Cuties® by South Bay Sprouts LLC, a boutique kids’ gymnastics company based in the South Bay of Los Angeles. I’m incredibly passionate about creating joyful, confidence-boosting movement experiences for children—and I truly believe gymnastics can be a tool for so much more than just physical skills. Through Cartwheelin’ Cuties®, we help kids build body awareness, emotional resilience, confidence, and coordination in a playful, supportive, and inclusive environment.

My journey into this industry started pretty organically. I fell in love with movement at a young age and eventually began coaching at a gym in Redlands, CA. What started as a part-time coaching job soon evolved into a full immersion: I coached everything from Hotshots to competitive team, ran the front desk, and eventually stepped into the role of Recreational Director. Wearing all those hats gave me a comprehensive view of what it takes to run a gymnastics program—and sparked the idea that I could build something unique of my own.

That spark became Cartwheelin’ Cuties®. We started as a mobile gymnastics service—bringing equipment and instruction to schools, parks, and backyards—and have since grown to include a beautiful studio space in Redondo Beach, CA, as well as partnerships with local Parks & Rec departments throughout the South Bay. We’re now expanding into new cities and bringing our joyful movement philosophy to even more families.

What sets us apart is our focus on meeting every child where they are. We’re not about pressure or perfection—we’re about progress, confidence, and connection. Our coaches are trained not just in technique, but in emotional intelligence, communication, and adaptive teaching. We proudly offer inclusive classes, including our Gymnastics Without Limits program for kids with special needs. No child is ever turned away for not fitting into a “typical” mold—instead, we create a space where they feel celebrated and supported.

I’m most proud of the community we’ve built. Parents often tell us their kids “come alive” in our classes, and that kind of feedback is the greatest reward. I’m also deeply honored to lead a team of caring, passionate instructors who believe in the mission as much as I do.

To anyone just discovering Cartwheelin’ Cuties®, here’s what I want you to know: We’re here to build confident kids through joyful movement. Whether it’s your child’s first somersault or their first time feeling truly seen in a class setting, we’re honored to be part of their journey. And as we grow, we’re committed to keeping that magic alive—one cartwheel, smile, and high-five at a time.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story that really illustrates my resilience is the very beginning of my journey with Cartwheelin’ Cuties®. When I first started, I was nannying and babysitting for two wonderful families. At the same time, I had this dream of creating a mobile gymnastics program—something that could bring the joy of movement directly to kids, right in their homes or local parks.

So I started small. I added one class here, another there, slowly weaving at-home gymnastics sessions into my nanny schedule. Before I knew it, word started to spread and my little side project began to grow. I found myself juggling more and more clients, and eventually I had to make the tough (but exciting!) decision to leave the families I was working for so I could go all-in on my business.

That period was intense. Some days I’d coach seven classes back to back, which meant packing up equipment, driving to each family’s home, setting up, coaching, breaking everything down, and repeating—over and over. I’d leave my house at 7:30 in the morning and sometimes wouldn’t get home until 8:00 p.m. It was physically exhausting, but I was so driven by the excitement of seeing kids light up with joy and confidence that I kept pushing forward.

Looking back, that season taught me so much about grit, time management, and trusting my vision. I didn’t have a studio, a team, or a business playbook—just a lot of hustle and a deep belief that what I was building mattered. That resilience laid the foundation for everything Cartwheelin’ Cuties® has become today, and I wouldn’t trade those long days for anything.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When it came to funding my business, there was no big investor or startup loan—just a lot of grit, patience, and creativity. I started Cartwheelin’ Cuties® by saving money from my nannying jobs, and little by little, I used what I had to purchase gymnastics mats and equipment. I scoured Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Nextdoor, always on the hunt for gently used items that could captivate my young clients and still fit in the back of my trusty Mazda 6.

I drove everywhere to pick up these treasures—foam beams, panel mats, stepping stones, fun props—anything I thought could help bring the magic of movement to life. I even bought large competition-size mats before I had a studio space to put them in and ended up stashing them in my parking garage. (Sorry to my garage neighbor—at one point it was packed to the ceiling, and I couldn’t even park in there!) It was truly a never-ending treasure hunt… and honestly, it kind of still is. I still pop on Marketplace now and then just to see if I can find a local gem.

When I decided I wanted to open a physical studio in Redondo Beach, I had to get even more resourceful. I knew it would be a stretch, so I focused on being as efficient and lean as possible. One of the biggest blessings during that time was a generous client, She Rao, who offered to let me run back-to-back classes in her yard over the summer and into the fall. That opportunity gave me time to continue building the business, serve my families, and save—until I was finally ready.

By October, just as the weather started to change and outdoor classes became harder to run, I had saved enough (and collected enough equipment) to officially open the doors to our very first studio. It was such a fulfilling and unexpected milestone. That season taught me that with creativity, community, and determination, you can absolutely build something out of nothing—and it makes every part of the journey that much sweeter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.southbaysprouts.com
• Instagram: @southbaysprouts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southbaysprouts/

Image Credits

Stacey Davis + Shane O’Donnell