At Amazing Athletes, Fitness Is Not a LuxuryNews Articles & Ads
By: Barbara Pinckney Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 Six months ago, Jessica Casey was working for a local software developer, and feeling that it just wasn’t for her. So Casey, 27, decided to start her own business. Even if the nation was in the middle of its worst recession in generations, for her personally, the timing was right. “It seemed like a good time financially to take a risk,” she said. “I’m not married. I don’t have children. So if I have to sacrifice, I am only taking away from myself.” Casey create Amazing Athletes of the Capital Region as the first New York franchise of Amazing Athletes, a Carlsbad, Calif., company that provides in-school physical education classes for young children. She started in September to sell her services to local preschools, day care centers and private schools. She has signed up 13 schools and hired two coaches. “She is right where we thought she would be by this time,” said John Skrobela, who worked with Casey as an advisor for the Small Business Development Center in Albany. “She is hitting her numbers.” Casey chose Amazing Athletes for a few reasons. First, her market research told her there was an untapped market locally. Most schools have no physical education program for children aged 2 ˝ to 6. But many parents are willing to pay extra for such a class and welcome the convenience of it being a part of the child’s normal day. This is true even in a down economy. “I’ve found that when it comes to health and fitness, people will pay,” she said. “I am not selling a luxury item.” The business was financially feasible for her, because she did not have to lease and equip space. She did need about $35,000 in franchise fees and other start-up costs, but, based on her business projections, was able to secure private financing. “Her level of preparedness was above and beyond what we normally see,” Skrobela said. Now that she has two coaches conducting classes, Casey can focus on selling the program to more schools. “The goal is to fill up the schedule again, hire another coach, and then keep repeating that cycle,” she said. |
