Any gym owner interested in adding power tumbling and/or trampoline can benefit from reaching out to the USTA. The organization provides gyms, athletes and owners with a community and resources, in addition to giving out over $2,000 worth of scholarships to graduating seniors or to athletes that are still competing and continuing their education. “It’s one more »
Intrigued by our story on mentoring and networking and its growing importance in the all-star industry? Hear testimonials from three cheer professionals who swear by making the connection: “I make it a point each year to attend as many conferences as I can. These conferences allow me to learn from others’ experiences and ways they’ve more »
Considering getting incorporated? We asked legal expert Trippe Fried to give us the skinny on several types of corporations that may work well for gym owners: Subchapter S-corporations (“S-corp”): Profits and losses flow through to the owners. There are some requirements to qualify, the key one being that all of the owners must be U.S. more »
Now that you know all about supplements and whether they’re right for you and your athletes, here are four to consider for better health and performance: B Vitamins: Provide energy for cellular function in active adults and athletes, who are often lacking the necessary reserves. Sleep deprivation and stress can be a culprit in depleting more »
Need a legal leg to stand on when it comes to others copying your gym? One attorney says that your imitator may be liable of “causing confusion.” “There’s no reason in the world why a gym cannot have a trademark in its name [or] its logo. And there’s no reason that a gym can have more »
Number 10 on our list is to set up an in-house office system for recordkeeping and accounting. Many new business owners tend to put this on the back burner or contract it out to “someone who likes math,” and it can soon become cancerous. Improper record keeping or accounting can become a business owner’s worst nightmare, so attention to detail is extremely important.
Obtaining a building, space and equipment is number 9 on our list. An inefficient design of your facility can greatly affect your bottom line. A lot of businesses go too big too fast. Getting the most amount of kids in the least amount of space is how businesses become profitable. Every square inch of your more »
GTM Sportswear is introducing Ultrafuse Sublimation. What’s sublimation? It’s a process that combines color and design in a single process. Why is this important to you? Your color and design are heat-infused directly into the fabric. This results in a fabric that allows comfort and mobility in a lightweight breathable uniform for those long game more »
So you’re right in the middle of the battlefield—the gym equipment shop. Mission: inspect prospective purchases. As a companion to our primer on buying used equipment, Tumbl Trak’s Stacey Finnerty has got some useful advice on how to carry out an inspection: **For steel products that may be welded, tap the welds with a rubber more »
Number eight on our “Starting a Gym 101” list: Decide on any financing you will need and how you will get it. In other words…show me the money!
For startup businesses, this can be one of the biggest obstacles in getting off the ground. Funding is a challenge for almost every small business, and this especially includes cheer/gymnastics facilities. The space and ceiling height requirements for a gym make the start-up cost even more than a regular new business.
Number seven on our list is pricing your services! Pricing your service (tuition) is extremely important. “How much is it?” is usually the first question a customer will ask and—while you don’t want them to gasp for air at your answer—you want to be profitable and competitive with your market. Your tuition cannot out-price your more »
Number six on our checklist of key steps that every business should take to start their business on the right track is to get all necessary licenses, permits and insurance. There is so much to do when opening a business that sometimes people overlook the important legal requirements. In addition to the information we are providing more »
Were you intrigued by our journaling article? That’s not surprising—after all, journaling isn’t only helpful for athletes. If you’re a cheer professional whose mind is constantly racing, it might be time for a “brain drain”—aka writing morning pages. The practice of writing morning pages is a tenet of The Artist’s Way, a creativity book and more »
In this week’s guest post, Danielle McAnn from White Echo shares her top social media tips for cheer professionals: For those who feel daunted by the prospect of engaging their audience on this new medium, here are some basic and important tips to keep your social media feed above average. Keep regular: To keep in contact more »
At this point, who isn’t wearing Rebel Athletic? From Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to Cheer Athletics, Rebel Athletic custom uniforms, practice wear and warm-up designs are dominating the way cheerleaders express themselves—bringing a fresh breath of innovation to all-star gyms, competitions, and schools everywhere. Couture Innovation. Rebel has set the new standard as “the innovators of cheer apparel.” They were the first more »
Is your brain abuzz with a dynamite business idea? Do you think you’ve got what it takes to open an innovative cheerleading business or gym—and just need the resources to do it? We’ve got the goods to get you there, thanks to Nfinity’s Young Entrepreneur Competition. We’re partnering with Nfinity to offer this exciting new venture designed to help up-and-coming cheer professionals get started on their professional path.
The summer issue of CheerProfessional is headed for a mailbox near you! Designated as our “Athletes’ Issue,” this edition is designed to help you get up to speed on all things athlete-related. From collecting overdue bills to hiring an athlete onto staff, you’ll find it all in our pages.
Inspired by our juicing article to go the DIY route? Here are some recipes to help you get started: “Beet” the competition with this detoxifying, antioxidant-rich juice recipe from Cynthia Sass (300 calories): Ingredients: 1 medium pear 3 beets 3 large carrots 1-inch fresh ginger root Get your fix of greens and fruits more »
Number five on our checklist of key steps that every business should take to start their business out on the right track is the Legal Requirements for Starting a Business. To operate a business legally an organization needs to meet all the laws of the federal government, state government and the city and/or county where more »
Do you know an amazing coach who deserves to be recognized? Here’s your chance to give that person the spotlight he or she deserves! This week, we are excited to announce our brand-new partnership with Americheer: “Dreams for Coaches, Too,” which will honor 20 show-stopping coaches for consideration as 2014’s Coach of the Year at more »
New news from Varsity today — the company has merged with Texas-based BSN, a marketer and distributor of team sportswear. See an excerpt from the official press release below: Herff Jones, Inc. (“Herff Jones”) has signed a definitive agreement providing for a business combination with BSN Sports, Inc. (“BSN”). Dallas based BSN is a leading marketer, more »
Inspired by our “Game Night” story and want to play during practice? Here’s how: Stay simple. Sarah Swicegood Macrow of CEA began giving out colored string bracelets to athletes who had mastered certain skills, and soon the bracelets themselves became a badge of pride (and a bragging right). “All it takes is walking into the toy more »
Tech tool: CheerLIVE! (www.cheerlive.net) What it is: Obsessed with watching routines on YouTube? Take your viewing habit up a notch with CheerLIVE!. The website provides both live streaming and video on-demand of various gym showcases (such as Cheer Athletics, Spirit of Texas and Cheer Extreme) and competitions like The MAJORS. For free, guests can listen to the more »
One of the most overlooked aspects of business is the relationships you create. During our 13 years of business, we cannot count the number of times that we have been grateful for the friends and professional relationships we have made and their contribution to the success of our business. Any time you are looking at more »
Power your way to Worlds with inspirational quotes, fitness and nutrition challenges to keep you on track.
What does it take to make it to the Cheerleading Worlds each year? From tryouts to the final flight of the season in Orlando, FL, we got the scoop from a few EPIC coaches that are headed to the 2013 Cheerleading Worlds: Fame Super Seniors Coach Phil Logan and Pro Athletics Coach Jason Graham. Try-Outs more »
Want a cloud-based gym management solution? You should know Jack. Used by gyms like East Coast Nitros, All Star Legacy and Cheer Force One, Jackrabbit provides a web-based way to easily manage registrations, as well as automate payment and other processes. The program can also collect other types of data and connect to other programs like QuickBooks and Payroll Express Plus. Pricing plans range from $45/month (for up to 100 students) up to $245/month (for up to 3000 students); a free trial is available.
Many cheer professionals have been asking for an update about the GrowCheer.org proposal and whether the USASF has responded. The companies affiliated with GrowCheer.org have sent us the following update to share with the community: GrowCheer.org would like to thank all of those in our industry that have voiced their support for our efforts, both publicly more »
Step three on the Starting a Business Checklist = writing a business plan. This is another crucial element that many current business owners still do not have. This is like going on a vacation without an itinerary or any idea of what you are going to do. You need a clear picture of what is more »
Talk of a universal scoresheet has permeated the industry for years. In 2010, the Independent Event Producers (IEP) made an official recommendation to the USASF stating that its 22 independent companies felt a universal scoresheet would be in the industry’s best interest. “We have made great strides toward legitimizing our sport and scoring is one more »
At this point, who isn’t doing the Harlem Shake? From the University of Georgia Men’s Swimming & Diving team to the KSLA News in Shreveport, LA, to even the Peanuts gang, it seems like pretty much everyone is in on the dance video craze—and, of course, cheer gyms are at the forefront of the trend. Here more »
Yesterday’s announcement about GrowCheer.org and the push for an independent USASF sparked a range of reactions throughout the industry. While USASF has declined to comment on the matter, we were able to speak with Varsity’s VP of Public Relations Sheila Noone to learn their company’s stance. “Everything Varsity does is with an eye towards what is best for the young athletes we serve,” says Noone. “No one has more of an interest in growing all disciplines of cheerleading than Varsity, and we feel we have been a strong partner to the USASF and its members.” Read what Noone and a sampling of gym owners around the industry had to say in our exclusive round-up.
CheerProfessional has learned that seven industry companies (Cheer Zone, GK Elite, GTM Sportswear, Motionwear, Nfinity, Rebel Athletic & Team Cheer) have united in an effort to facilitate the USASF’s independence from Varsity Brands. Read their full proposal for GrowCheer.ORG here, exclusive to CheerProfessional!
Last month we provided a list for new business owners to follow in order to start up a new business successfully. We elaborated on the first step: picking a business name and registering it with your county (DBA – Doing Business As); this month, we will delve into checklist item number two: deciding on the legal more »
In the world of competitive cheer, dance and even pageants, the parents and kids are required to put on “stage makeup” and put on a uniform or costume that gives them an edge in the judge’s eyes. The gym owners and/or coaches are always looking for the next best thing in regards to makeup and more »
Mix your own cheer music with these DIY editing programs. Footloose and free: Available for both Windows and Mac, Audacity is a free, open-source download that can be used to edit different types of sound files; copy, splice or mix sound effects; and alter the speed or pitch of a recording. Newbies rave that Audacity is more »
After seeing the popularity of Gym Kix’ Stephanie Beveridge and Carrie Harris’ Q&A on starting your own gym, we’ve decided to tap their expertise even further! This post marks the first of a series on starting your own gym—from two veteran cheer professionals who’ve been there, done that.
As the industry—and our nation—tries to get back in the holiday spirit after last week’s tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., a cheerleader named Janie Pascoe is doing her best to restore hope. After being named Athlete of the Year at America’s Best National Championships, Janie requested to donate her $500 scholarship prize to the Newtown Memorial Fund for the victims’ families rather than using it toward her Indiana University education.
Question: Since different companies have different scoring grids, is there a way to compare them (i.e. a Level 2 Mini first-place score at a Jamfest competition of 79.950 and a Level 2 Mini first-place score at a Varsity competition of 54.36)? JAM Brands’ Jeremi Sanders answers!
Meet Trisha Hart, now in her 10th year as co-owner of All-Star Legacy (a decorated cheer gym with three locations in Virginia and West Virginia), coach for the program’s Mini Level One and Youth Level Two teams, and cheer consultant/choreographer. We snagged this busy cheer professional for a candid Q&A—read what she had to say in response to our burning questions.
In our “Owner’s Manual” column, we ask gym owners to take us “under the hood” and give us their secrets to what keeps their gyms running so smoothly. Find out how Maryland Twisters owner Tara Cain puts her own “twist” on attracting athletes.
Like snowflakes, no two cheerleaders are alike. Though athletes may be a sea of energetic smiles out on the floor, off the mat is a dynamic mix of personalities—from social butterflies to wallflowers and from Type-A perfectionists to laid-back types. That diversity often translates to learning styles as well, a difference that is less obvious but critical to maximizing team performance and efficiency at practices.
For many athletes, Worlds is the culmination of years of hardwork and dedication. If it all comes together for you and you’re flawless for two minutes and thirty seconds—shouldn’t you be allowed a fist-bump, a hug or a couple of high fives?
Question: I am in a market where there is not a gym or all-star program and have almost 20 years of cheer experience but would love some help with getting a gym opened! Do you have any advice for a budding gym owner on how to get started? – Ali
Four months since our building collapsed in a tornado during practice. This team has been through so much. They are bonded by something most people can’t imagine. It is my hope that this weekend brings them together even more as a team and shows them just how amazing they are. So going into this last practice, I put together a motivational piece for my Dream Team.
Stay in tune with our top sound system picks! Four of our favorites include the SW720 by Amplivox, the Anchor Audio Minivox Lite, the Bose Acoustic Wave Music System II and Ion’s Center Stage. Get the skinny on why these “rock” in our roundup.
Have you ever looked at a team and thought how horribly behaved and out of control the athletes were? Chances are that they were acting the same way that their coach does. If you are a coach, then you are a role model—the two go hand in hand. Your athletes are constantly watching you, and more »
On Friday, people across Canada are gathering in memory of Vancouver All-Stars cheerleader Amanda Todd, who took her own life last week after being the victim of online stalking and cyber-bullying for several years. (Before her death, she made this YouTube video to tell her story—warning: video includes graphic images.) These vigils speak not only more »
The University from Cheerleading Blog (which launched in late 2011) features all of the popular blog series and hot topics packaged as complete guides and available to download for free. The complete guides cover topics including planning tips for camp, competition and season fundraising, deciding if your team should attend camp and what to expect more »
As college cheerleaders, we had long days of classes on top of tough practices and workouts. People always asked, “Where do you get that kind of energy?” And as a coach, the pace doesn’t slow—practices, games and events take up a lot of time and energy. (Plus, you may have a family and career!) No more »
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