Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Reyes.
Hi Amanda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
About 13 years ago, I was working as an elementary school teacher and as a group fitness instructor at various gyms here in Houston. Primarily as a Zumba instructor. I was approached by a fellow co-worker and asked if I was interested in taking a position as a Zumba instructor at a local nutrition spot that wanted to offer Zumba classes to their customers. I accepted and began to further my fitness career by continuing my education in Nutrition at the University of Houston and taking as many classes offered by Zumba Fitness and other fitness programs. Once I noticed I had more of a following, I decided to take a leap of faith and branch out and sign a lease on an old beat-up warehouse that had been used as a mechanic shop. Nothing in relation to a gym. My grand opening consisted of two people. Talk about a blow to the heart! I had no idea how I was going to make rent! However, I did not render. I continued my career as a school teacher, school and still worked at my local gyms.
Slowly but surely, I built the following day by day. I walked the streets, passing out flyers inviting people to try my classes at my personal warehouse for free! I knew I needed to do something new that would separate me from the rest. I practiced day in and day out when I wasn’t working. Creating original routines and thinking out of the box. I wanted a fitness facility that everyone would eventually say, “I want to work out at Dolls Fitness Studio!” My vision was to offer unorthodox workouts and continuously challenge our members. Not only that but I wanted to incorporate my nutritional background with fitness. I wanted my members to not only get phenomenal workouts in, but I wanted them to take away nutritional knowledge as well. Twelve years later, here we are! Our doors are still open and we have two huge warehouses for our amazing members! We offer a variety of classes from our Zumba to Cycling, Weight Lifting, Abdominal classes, Cardio Boxing, CrossFit and occasional pop-ups here and there! I am beyond proud and grateful for our members and amazing team that believed in a small business and has kept DFS in business and continues to grow! I am also honored and proud to say that the two members who attended my grand opening 12 years are still current members of DFS!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As I mentioned previously, this has been anything but a smooth road. Building a following was hard in itself. But keeping a small business alive is even harder. You never know if you’re going to walk into your facility and have people show up. Many times, I would walk in and no one would show. You begin to question yourself if this is all worth it. But if you believe, and if you’re patient, things will work out in their own way. The most challenging time, I would have to say was the Pandemic. We were mandated to close for about 3-4 months. I had to think quickly because my team and myself had worked so hard throughout the years to keep a small business alive and just like that, everything changed. I was very transparent with my staff and members. I asked for their patience throughout this difficult time. For months, we worked out of our garage, going live with our workouts via the internet. Thankfully, our members did not give up on us and continued their online workouts with us until we could open for business once again.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a small business fitness studio located in North Houston. We offer group classes such as:
Zumba
Cycling
Weightlifting
Toning
CrossFit
Cardio Boxing
Our brand and gym has helped thousands of people lose weight, become healthier and over happier.
We offer unorthodox workouts. I like to say our workouts have a little DFS twist to them! Never the same, never comfortable. Our motto is, “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable!”
How do you think about happiness?
Happiness…many things make me happy. But truly, I am happy to get up every day and show up to a job where our primary focus is helping men and women become healthier and happier. There’s no greater feeling than when a member thanks you for helping them live a better life!
Pricing:
- Zumba $7
- Cycling $12
- Weights/Abs $8
- CrossFit $10
- Cardio Boxing $8
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @dollsfitnessstudio
- Facebook: dollsfitnessstudio
