8 years!
Today is the 8 year anniversary of Aerial Dance Pole Exercise. That is crazy. I woke up thinking how much that wasn’t the plan when it started (it was supposed to be a hobby business I did for a few years) and how grateful I am that the plan changed. I still can’t believe many mornings that I work for myself at my beautiful thriving company. Dude. How did that happen! As the sport of pole fitness grows in northeast Wisconsin it is really humbling to know that I’m the root of it. 98% of people who are touching a pole recreationally in the area I either introduced to the sport or are being trained by someone who I introduced to the sport. How cool is that! To think that my love of pole is rippling out and helping women who I never met is a really special feeling. And to know that since that first class with 3 ladies in it we now have 250+ women attend our locations every week is truly amazing. Fun fact, one of the ladies from that very first class, Mylea, is STILL with us 8 years later!!!! When I moved back from Australia pole didn’t exist in the area. My dad and I put a pole up at my cottage so I could workout but I missed the community of a pole studio. And my homemade pole kinda sucked, it was not the right material and didn’t spin well. At the time I was on Match looking to meet people and one of the guys I was speaking with, Todd, asked what I did to workout. I said Pole and he was the one the put me in touch with Rod at Premier Fitness. Rod had built a pole studio but had no one to teach the sport. So Aerial Dance was born. I’ll always be grateful to Rod and Todd because I don’t know that we would have started without such an easy entry to business. 10 months later we had grown past the point of the gym and needed our own space. We build the first exclusive pole studio in the area at our Appleton location. It was such a leap of faith. At the time I had 30 students weekly and 2 instructors. My dad thought I was nuts. And when I took out a 0% APR credit card for 12 months to charge $4,500 worth of mirrors and $4,000 worth of poles he REALLY thought I was crazy. But I have the best parents in the world. So even though he was sure he’d end up needing to bail me out of my crazy idea, he helped me tear out carpets and paint walls to make Aerial Dance Appleton a reality. And mom, my mom is always up for my crazy ideas. She’s been my business partner from the start. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to my parents and how much they have done for Aerial Dance. In 2014 I was struggling to rehabilitate from shoulder surgery (not pole related…I’m just injury prone….and accident prone…lol) and was using an aerial hammock to regain range of motion. From that the idea of our Aerial program was born. We were SO LUCKY that our building had more space available at the time that we needed it. And when we couldn’t safely rig from the building and the steel structure’s initial quote came in $20,000 over original projections my mom stepped in (I’ll pay you back someday mom!) and helped make it a reality because no bank was willing to loan money to pole studio….and you’d be surprised how much crap I still have to deal with on that front from the community….but today is all about what I’m grateful for on this journey! The bigger thing I’m grateful for from this time period in the company’s history is that my amazing staff stepped up. Training on pole was a lot. Now they had to train on three more apparatus, some of which they don’t really personally like. 90 minutes of instructor training commitment per week became 3 hours weekly. In addition to the training, bruises and learning, they had to learn how to rig properly and put up heavy poles for studio change over. It was a BIG shift in their responsibilities. And the great instructors were excited about the changes and made the company even better. Instructors Leah & Niki were particularly instrumental in getting Aerial Dance through this change over period. The transition from a pole studio to full circus school was a really big shift and it wouldn’t have happened without their unwavering support and work. Things were going really well for the next few years. We had amazing staff. We had built an amazing community and we could have rested there and said that was enough. But my amazing staff deserved more. Many wanted more hours and more opportunity. So while I was taking two weeks to clear my head on a boat in Galapagos I came up with our expansion plan. January 7, 2018 I announced to my team my plans to build a facility in Green Bay and gave them the option to become owners. And their excitement and commitment to building our vision is why we now have a second location. Four instructors (Kim, Lynn, Kelly, Olivia) stepped in and put their money in to become owners. The other four instructors (Leah, Niki, Chrissy, Alison) stepped in with the commitment to teach at both facilities, to take on more hours, and to “work equity” their way into ownership sometime in the future (once we figure out how to do that). Without buy-in from all 8 of my instructors in early 2018 Aerial Dance Green Bay wouldn’t have existed. We truly are a TEAM that is making things happen now. And I don’t have to words to tell you how much I love these women. How much their commitment and drive and
An Ahhh Ha Moment!
You Never Know Who is Watching This past week while at the study, I had a “Holy Crap” moment. It was during Aerial Condition (AC) with some ladies I knew and some ladies that are new to the studio. AC is one of my top five favorite classes at the studio. I love it, because each class is different, but is as equally challenging. The instructors plan for many ability types. Each exercise is hand picked for the students who will be in class. Being a teacher this makes my heart soar! A big component in teaching is being able to differentiate for each students’ needs. Our instructors do just that! I never walk away from an AC class feeling like I didn’t get a great workout in. Sorry to get carried away about how wonderful our studio and instructors are, but it is so easy! Here is where the “Holy Crap” moment comes in. While in AC, we were doing a long circuit, meaning you do the exercise for a whole minute before switching to the next. While going through the motions of class, one of the ladies called out to me, “Hey! Now what weight did you grab?” I was a little baffled by the question, because during classes, it is a chose your own adventure to help you get the best workout for you. I simply replied that I grabbed a 20 pound kettle-bell. After a moment, I asked her why she wanted to know the size of the weight I was using. This next part blew my mind. She told me that she always watches what I use/do while working out so she can try to match/increase her own, because she wanted strength like mine. I was flattered and stunned all at the same time. I hadn’t had a clue she was watching me in that class or in the past. It Doesn’t Happen Over Night I have seen this student at the studio from time to time in classes, but I do not know that first thing about her. It absolutely amazes me that I make that much of an impact on her exercise goals. It also made me very aware of the many eyes that are watching as we workout. Inspiration lurks around every corner at the studio. Even on your worst day, you may still be a shinning light in someone else’s. Ladies who are just starting out, when you see others at the studio who do things that look effortless, are hard, or lifting heavy weights, know that this did not happen over night. It takes time! Lots and lots of time! I have been with the studio for over four and half years. Do I have skills? Yes, I do, but I am not perfect at any one apparatus. I still have so much more growing and learning to do. Just once ask me about my flexibility….. It is the biggest challenge for me, that I am doing my best to work on. I am beyond proud that I get to be a role model for others at the studio, but I am even more proud that they continue to push themselves to achieve their goals! The community of women that Aerial Dance WI has created continues to be unmatched by any other fitness facility/studio. Keep up your hard work ladies! It all pays off in the end! Until Next Time, Janelle
Self Care Sunday
Hello Ladies! I know it has been awhile, but I am still here! What is Self Care? Self care is taking time for you and only you. It is hitting a pause button to help you refuel yourself. It goes beyond the usual eating right and exercise. Yes, those two things are very important when taking care of your body, but self care focuses more on how to take care of your whole self. I found a little article on what self care is and what self care isn’t from Psych Central. Now that you know a little bit more about self care, let me explain to why I so needed a Self Care Sunday. Life Lately I am in the fourth full week of school and each day seems to be a whirl wind. Between two graduate classes starting in August, (yes, I graduated this past summer, but it was only a stepping stone.) teaching full time, adjusting to being a stepmom, and trying to get all of the normal day to day things accomplished my head is spinning. Sometimes I just get lost in the hustle and bustle and forget about what I need to truly keep myself above water. Please don’t take this as me complaining or fishing for sympathy. That’s not my goal. I know that many of you share my exhaustion and then some. That is why self care is so important. The Weekends Go by so Fast This past weekend, I really wanted a day to just to reconnect with nature and admire the beauty this world has to offer. Saturday was dedicated to the 9/11 stair climb in Green Bay and helping my sister move a hot tub. The weekends go by so fast. During the week, we create lists to catch up on all of the things we missed like laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc…. Can I get a “heck yes!” if this sounds like your life! Friday and Saturday flew by and I still hadn’t had the chance to get outside. We do not have too many beautiful days left before winter hits. Sunday came and I woke up early against wanting to actually sleep in past 7. I was wide awake at 5:30 darn you internal clock! I laid in bed as long as I could, but the guilt of not getting my list accomplished crept up so quickly that I had to get out of bed and do something about it. Finally, I got my day of house cleaning and laundry started. When Steve got up he helped me by doing the dishes and making us breakfast. Steve helped around the house for as long as he could until he needed to go help his friend get the boat ready for duck hunting. Before he left he asked if it was really okay for him to leave and help his friend. It was a little sad that he thought he needed my permission to go and do something he enjoys. I reassured him that it was more than okay. I had plans of getting out of the house too to go hike. My Adventure Before taking classes at Aerial Dance, I would have never thought to go do something I liked by myself. Most women are condition to be dependent on another to do something they enjoy. I wanted to go hiking at one of my favorite spots near Green Bay, so not only would I be hiking alone, I had to drive the 40 some minutes to do it too. The old Janelle would have stayed at home and pitied herself because she didn’t have anyone to go with. The new Janelle, who has learned about self confidence, self care, and being strong individual, went hiking! I even took it a step further by going to my favorite vineyard after. ALL BY MYSELF! Crazy?! I know! While I was sitting at the vineyard, enjoying my glass of red, the woman who was working on the opposite end of the bar came over to me. She asked if I were waiting for someone or if I was there by myself. In my head, I was thinking, “Great, here we go with the judgment.” I replied that I was in fact there by myself to enjoy a glass or two wine after my hike. To my surprise the woman congratulated me for going out and doing things on my own. She informed me that she knew too many women who fear doing things by themselves. After the vineyard died down a bit she and I continued to talk. I shared with her my passion for the aerial arts and she shared with me her passion for design. Do It! I know that sounds like the Nike slogan, but it is true! I guess the moral of my blog this week is just get out there and do what you love! Life is never going to slow down. You cannot put off self care. Work hard this week to think about what it is you are going to do to work on self care. This past weekend, I was beyond thankful for the Aerial Studio. The many women who walk through those doors have taught me to be the strong individual that I am today. I was also thankful for the beautiful weather, waterproof boots, and nature. Until Next Time, Janelle
That's A Wrap!
Summer is Fading With September comes back to school, earlier nights, and cooler temperatures. Winter is coming and there is no stopping it, but Aerial Dance has sure found a way to take summer out with a bang! Just his past month, Aerial Dance has hosted two open houses! Dr. Paula Brusky (our wonderful pole mama) has been featured on two radio stations! They also launched a new aerial app that is more user friendly. And…… How can we forget the wonderful Aerial Dance segment on Fox 11. Our Aerial World is booming! More women are embracing this new challenge and we cannot wait to welcome to our aerial family. Paula and our instructors, please know that we students understand the long and odd hours you keep to make our studios (it is exciting to use the plural form of studio!) run so smoothly! You are appreciated more than words can express! Thank you! Bazzar Menasha With this past weeks Bazaar After Dark, it marks the last one for this summer season. It left me with a bittersweet feeling. This past year of Bazaars has been amazing. Aerial Dance went above and beyond to provide their students with the opportunity to share their love of the aerial arts with the Fox Cities communities with no additional cost to students! All students needed to do was attend the event. To top off Aerial Dance’s dedication, they even took pictures to share with the instructors and students who performed. These Bazaar After Dark events have allowed all of us that take classes at Aerial Dance the opportunity to show the community how Aerial Dance is so much more than a fitness studio. It allows us to show everyone that we are a family. Although, Steve and I were only able to attend for a short time this Bazaar as we had our little guy Aiden with us, it was well worth it. As Steve and I were “showing some cool tricks” as Aiden would call it, you couldn’t help but notice the children sitting front in center of the aerial rig. The “Ohhhs” and “Ahhhs” from the children were enough to make any person’s heart soar! They are so young and full of life! Wanting to fly and flip just like us! With each passing Bazaar Event we are inspiring future aerialist all over the Fox Valley! We are showing them that YES! YOU CAN JOIN THE CIRCUS! If you were not able to join Aerial Dance for a Bazaar After Dark event this year, keep your eyes peeled for next year! Bazaar After Dark events are meant to bring people back out into the community. More Good Things to Come With summer coming to an end, it has a lot of people fearing the winter months. Have no fear! Aerial Dance has plenty of opportunities to keep you mind off of your winter blues! Last weekend Aerial Dance released five of the Christmas Show songs for registration and this Saturday they will be releasing more! If you haven’t already signed up for the Christmas Show, you should consider it. The Christmas Show is a great opportunity for students to dip their toes into the performing world. If you are not performance ready, just attending the show will blow your mind. The Christmas Show is something unique to Aerial Dance. No other pole studio around puts on performance to showcase students like Aerial Dance does. If performing is already your jam, you could consider registering for the upcoming Minnesota competition in January or the USPSF Midwest Regionals in April hosted by Aerial Dance. Don’t forget the professional photo shoot with Debbie Daanen Photography scheduled for the end of October. As always keep your eyes posted for the various workshops offered at the studio in the upcoming winter months. Opportunities are around every corner when working with Aerial Dance! Until Next Time, Janelle
