Today we’d like to introduce you to Iris Lemus.
Iris, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Dancing has always been a part of my life. Ever since I can remember, movement was part of my everyday life. After FIU, I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my career path. I tried everything; teaching at schools, managing a restaurant, nail artist and managing a gym. I realized how much time I was spending at work and juggling doing things for others, that I needed a change. I decided to go back to being a nail tech; where I was able to have a more flexible schedule, which gave me the time and support to start Rump Shakers Studios.
Flash forward to three years later; I am a proud partner at Nails by Nivea and Owner/Instructor for Rump Shakers Studios, where we have Zumba and Rump n Pump on a weekly bases with specialty classes (and now on-line ZOOMba classes.)
Today, I am like many, if not most business owners. I find myself being creative in ways and still learning. Teaching ZOOMba every Tuesday and Thursday has been really popular since I can do this with clients. It’s brought clients that I haven’t seen in years. Clients who are no longer living in Miami and NEW clients are now able to access ways to be healthy and live a healthy lifestyle at home. As stressful as this time is for anyone, its also quite exciting. I have time to learn different marketing skills, being creative with workouts, and LEARNING TECHNOLOGY! (That’s a real skill!)
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No smooth road traveled has ever started smooth. After my first year of business, I was really excited about where I was as a small business. I had a committed, loving community and now, a larger location, I was feeling really successful. Then I went skiing with friends and fell awkward down a mountain and tore my ACL. I was out of business just like that. I was the only instructor, the only one running my classes and now I can’t. I tried teaching class from a chair, I tried getting enough videos on YouTube to help people workout from home, but I couldn’t. I was devastated.
I started Physical Therapy two weeks before my surgery and was preparing myself to ensure I wouldn’t compensate on my other leg or worsen the injury. I wanted to be strong going into surgery so I can be strong coming out.
After surgery began my biggest comeback. I was in Therapy the next day and starting my recovery process. I had one goal and it was to teach again. Four months after with the help and consistency of my PT Family, I reached the top of Machu Pichu. I pushed myself and had family and friends who motivated me everyday that by the end of 2018, I was teaching once again.
Starting back after eight months of recovery, most of my clients continued to have a healthy lifestyle and my classes got smaller. Although I was so proud that I had been a stepping stone for so many of my clients to have a healthy lifestyle I felt like I was starting from 10 steps back from scratch. Not just in business, but also with myself.
Two years later, I feel like I am now more motivated than ever before. I take bootcamp classes, run everyday and teach my classes. I would say “things are looking smooth” but I am still figuring out TIKTOK.
Rump Shakers Studios – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Rump Shakers Studios is a place where you can be you and live your best healthy lifestyle. I teach Zumba and Rump n Pump. I specialize in my original choreography, music and specialty (themed) classes.
I am most proud of the community activities I get to teach for. I love that I teach at Friendship Circle, a non-profit organization that gives friendship and acceptance for individuals with special needs. I’ve partnered with Latinos Salud, a safe space for Latino gay men to find friends, support and resources as well as for PediKidz of Florida, a prescribed pediatric extended car center.
Giving back has always been a part of who I am. I will always be proud when I get to be part of my communities, a place where I am always welcomed to come as I am.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me is being happy. I know it sounds cheesy but it’s a huge success for me when I can hit my head on the pillow at night and know that I am happy with the person I am, what I did and how grateful I am I get to wake up the next day with my husband and my three babies (my dogs).
Success is defined as the accomplishment of an aim or goal. It isn’t always a successful day but knowing I have more successful days than others helps. I like to have smaller goals to feel successful everyday. Having a class of 12 people is a real success. Having new clients become dedicated members even bigger success. Making dinner is a success for me, even getting home in enough time to walk each of my babies alone for some quality time that is a REAL SUCCESS.
Ultimately if each day I try to succeed in being good, doing good and feeling good, I believe that it will come back to me and I will always be successful.
Pricing:
- $16 – Single Class
- $60 – 5 Class Pass
- $100 – 10 Class Pass
- First class – FREE!
Contact Info:
- Address: 8770 Sw 131 Street
Miami, FL 33176 - Website: www.rumpshakersstudios.com
- Phone: 7863951398
- Email: rumpshakersstudio@gmail.com
- Instagram: @rumpshakersstudio
- Facebook: ZumbawithIris305
Image Credit:
Life Films
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