Shop Talk: The Cardio Club & Dance Studio

Shop Talk

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February 19, 2011

Shop Talk: The Cardio Club & Dance Studio

The Cardio Club & Dance Studio 76 Main St., Delhi Owners: Regan Reed and Laura Stewart Established: 2009 Employees: Two

Anonymous Daily Star The Daily Star Sun Mar 20, 2011, 09:40 AM EDT

Shop Talk is a weekly column featuring locally owned and operated businesses. This week, we talk to Raegan Reed, who owns and operates The Cardio Club in Delhi with her mother, Laura Stewart.

How long have you lived in the area?

I have lived in this area for 21 years.

Tell me about your business:

The Cardio Club is a 24-hour full-service gym with key-tag access. We offer tanning, as well as a variety of classes from yoga to Chisel to Zumba and much more. We also offer children's and adult dance classes. One of our most popular annual attractions that the community is encouraged to attend is our dance recital. This year it is scheduled to be held at Delaware Academy on June 18 at 7 p.m.

Describe a typical day in your business:

We have many members and it is like one big family, everyone knows your name. Members are in and out all day long, doing personal workouts, meeting with trainers or taking a scheduled class. We make sure that the exercise equipment is functioning properly and that the facility remains clean. Memberships, book work, scheduling and workout or dance routines are planned during a typical day.

How did you get started in this line of work?

I became a fitness instructor when I was living in New York City because I was too poor to afford a gym membership. I started teaching for Crunch Gym in NYC. My first degree is from SUNY Brockport in dance education and my second degree is in fashion business from The Fashion Institute of Technology. With an education and experience, my supportive mom and I became business partners.

Where do you see this business in five years?

Hopefully within five years our business will grow. We hope to have a second fitness room and a full ballet program to co-exist with my already established hip-hop dance program.

Describe a memorable moment in your workplace:

I have memorable moments each day when someone tells me about how they feel happier and healthier from taking my classes or how they now take one-third the insulin they took six months ago thanks to my classes. You can't beat helping people live longer, happier, healthier lives.

What have you learned from your work?

That I cannot please everyone no matter how hard I try, but I will keep trying anyway. Change is part of business and many people are pleased with our changes and praise us all the time, and that feels great.

What is the most challenging part of what you do?

When someone falls off the fitness wagon and no matter how hard I try to coach them and help them, they fall out of their routine and I don't see them anymore. A fitness instructor can only nag so much.

The most enjoyable?

I love my students and I love helping people, so the entire job is enjoyable. I am grateful that I found something that I am passionate about and love to do.

How do you define success for your business?

Success is when we have a full roster of members coming to our facility on a regular basis to stay fit.

What sets you apart from your competitors?

We are fortunate not to have many competitors, since we are the only gym in Delhi. Luckily, I think that Delhi only needs one facility, and we're it.

What are some advantages as well as drawbacks of doing business in this area?

Business is slow during the holidays and in the summer, but we persevere.

I love the "small town" aspect of doing business in this area. It is great to know all of our members and have a relationship with many of them.

What advice would you give to someone trying to enter your field of work?

The advice I would give to anyone looking to start a small business of any sort, not just a fitness facility, is to be prepared to put most of their energy and time into it.

I work from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed, but I love it and I am passionate about what I do.

Shop Talk interviews are conducted by Terry Hannum. For information, call The Daily Star at 432-1000, ext. 217, or e-mail news@thedailystar.com.