Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Karner.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I discovered My Gym Children’s fitness center almost by accident? I was invited to a birthday party & loved the concept so much! The feeling I got is hard to explain. I immediately knew it was something I wanted to pursue as a career. As the universe would have it, I found out the current owner was selling that location. I went through the interview process, which wasn’t easy. I had two small children at the time (Ages 1 & 2). Once I was selected, I went to formal training at the My Gym Corporate office in California. I was tough to leave my little ones behind!
It was all a worthwhile sacrifice looking back now. Once back in Miami, I was shocked to find out that there had been a fire at the neighboring Food shop and part of the My Gym I had just purchased burned down! It was awful. The ink hadn’t even dried on the contract when this occurred. Onwards & upwards we went and rebuilt both the facility and pretty much a new set of clients.
We had many happy years at the My Gym located on Kendall drive. We re-opened our doors in September of 1998. Along with the good times, we also endured some difficult years which included a flood from a neighboring Laundry Mat, a crash in the economy & eventually a “facelift” for our shopping center which caused us a great deal of inconveniences.
We made the decision to relocate after 16 beautiful years right on Kendall drive & 125th Avenue. The thought alone was terrifying to me. I would have never imagined moving so far west in the 90’s, With much faith, support from friends, family & an amazing staff, we took the plunge and moved our facility in 2015, where we currently operate, close to the Hammocks area. It was a great move! We are so blessed & happy we made that decision.
Here we are, loving what we do, changing children’s lives day by day.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
This company is absolutely amazing! It is a worldwide franchise. It was not this way when I started. When I began there were only locations in California and Florida. Now, there are over 450 locations worldwide including China and even Kuwait! Their philosophy is to empower children from a very early age & work on confidence, self-esteem, body awareness & a love of fitness from the start! We work with babies as young as 4 months to children up to 11 years old. There is a variety of classes from parent participation, preschool prep, art, music, dance, cardio & ninja training.
We have been blessed to operate in this area for almost 20 years. I have the pleasure of running into students all the time & have even employed a couple of them! (One of them was my student when she was 2 years old, and then again at the age of 9 & then worked with us for 2 years while she attended college!)
I feel what sets us apart from others is the true, honest, genuine & transparent LOVE for children and their well being.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely! It’s growing so much and there are so many families here. I would say it’s a good place. Maybe rent can be a little pricey in some areas, that would be my only concern starting out.
Pricing:
- Private Birthday Parties starting at $350
- Registration – Membership fee $75
- Seasonal – half day camps from $150 per week
- Monthly tuition $77
Contact Info:
- Address: 11735 SW 147 Avenue
suite 34 Miami, FL 33196 - Website: www.mygym.com/kendall
- Phone: 3052700230
- Email: mygymkendall@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mygymkendall
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kendallmygym
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