Today we’d like to introduce you to Chevy Laurent.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a Michigan native who grew up extremely motivated with a “girl power” mentality having attended private Catholic school from grades 1-12, which, at the time, was all-girls from grades 5 – 12. I developed an early passion for athleticism, music, and movement having been a dancer since the age of three. I also loved singing and playing sports. After graduating from high school, I moved to Los Angeles to attend Loyola Marymount University where I received a B.A. in Communications Studies. I chose to continue my schooling at the University of Southern California where I earned an M.A. in Communications Management before heading to Pepperdine University School of Law. While I did not become a lawyer, I did begin my career working in corporate marketing and sales. I worked for a major luxury automotive manufacturer for over a decade before transitioning into pharmaceutical/medical sales. But any free time I had, I found myself in pursuit of fitness. At some point in my journey, I began to reflect and realize that I wasn’t TRULY happy with my career. I was making great money, had a beautiful marriage, an awesome dog, wonderful friends & family, but I wasn’t feeling “fulfilled.”
I needed to make a change so that I could move forward and find true happiness. That’s when I decided to enroll in my first yoga teacher training because I wanted to deepen my own yoga practice while really looking inward to learn more about myself. I have to admit, it was an intense experience because I was not only working full-time but had to put in 200 hours of practice to get certified. However, it changed me for the better. I not only learned what yoga really means, I learned about listening to my inner voice, how to quiet my mind, and how to recognize my strength and power.
From there, I discovered the world of indoor cycling through rhythm riding on a bike at Soul Cycle. On a whim, after only a handful of rides, I decided to just go for it and audition to become an instructor. I didn’t make it the first time, but they saw something in me and suggested I audition again to which I made it into their training program! That was a turning point for me because I had to quit my corporate job to move to New York to train, with ZERO guarantees that I would walk out with a job as a Soul Cycle instructor. Fortunately, with the support of my loving husband & family I quit my job, moved to New York at my own expense for three months to participate in the required intensive training. I made the cut and graduated their training program! My new career as a full-time fitness professional was starting.
I began teaching yoga and cycling, and training private clients as a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. I enjoyed this very much, but after a few years, I realized that it was time to take my career to the next level. I was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and decided that it was time to leave the safety of many of the “big box” corporate fitness entities that I was working for, to start my own business. It has been both a scary and exhilarating process all at the same time. As a woman of color, under the age of 40, with only a few years of fitness training experience under my belt, I am not the typical prototype of a Manhattan Beach business owner. But so far, I’m having the time of my life. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lot of hard work. And the process to get here has been long and filled with challenges that most small businesses face every single day. But it is so worth it!
My studio, RydeFYR, just opened November 2nd and we are thrilled to be the first heated indoor cycling boutique in the South Bay area. Not only are the workouts unique and effective — 45-minutes, in approximately 85 degree heat, set to immersive lighting and sound that makes you feel like you’re in the best dance club ever — RydeFYR is mindful and a community. We celebrate, laugh, dance, cry, all of it TOGETHER on a bike. Because at RydeFYR, you are a part of a family.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
To be perfectly honest, the biggest challenge so far was going through the City permitting process to make even minor, non-structural, cosmetic improvements/changes to the interior of the space in order to get the business license and get our doors open. It was a much longer process than anticipated. And in business, time is money.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m most proud of the fact that RydeFYR is more than just a place to get a good workout; we are a community. In a world where we spend so much time by ourselves, working from home, disconnected by being on our phones and personal electronic devices, and with us getting everything delivered to our homes, from our streaming workouts to our groceries, we rarely get the one thing that most human beings actually crave the most… human connection. When you ride at RydeFYR, you get to do just that, connect with yourself, as well as those around you. We ride together for the feeling of connection. You don’t ever have to say a word if you don’t want to, but when you come to the space and ride with us, you are instantly connected to the community. And every time you come back, you get to meet up with people from this amazing community who you are now connected to, through this incredible joint experience.
For me, it’s such an honor to be able to not only foster these relationships as the founder of the business but to also teach my own classes regularly on the schedule and connect with my riders on a personal level in my classes. I’m so honored to be a part of each riders journey and to help them realize just how strong and powerful they are!
What were you like growing up?
I think I’ve been an energetic go-getter right from the start. I was always a hard worker and because I was on a competitive dance team for much of my youth, I learned the importance of being disciplined very early in my life. I also loved gymnastics, dance, cheerleading, lacrosse and basketball growing up. I was a good student who excelled in academics. I participated in student government and was an avid public speaker/debate team member in middle school, high school, and college. I also always knew the importance of working hard but still maintaining balance with enjoying a healthy social life — valuing close friends and family and even participating in Greek Sorority Life in college.
Pricing:
- New Rider First Class $20
- 1 class $30
- 5 classes $140
- 10 classes $270
Contact Info:
- Address: 3308 Highland Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA. 90266 - Website: RydeFYR.com
- Phone: 310-545-8435
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rydefyr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RydeFYR/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rydefyr
Image Credit:
RydeFYR
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