Meet Jessica Lewis of Dragonfly Cycling in Sherman Oaks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Lewis.

Jessica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started spinning in 2010 after a foot injury running the Nike half marathon in San Francisco. After just a few classes, I was hooked! The music, the workout, and the camaraderie were everything I was looking for and more.

A few years into spinning, a new instructor joined the studio I belonged to. She and I hit it off immediately, and my love for spin grew even deeper. Her style of teaching was so meditative and so therapeutic that it became my salvation, my go to, in good times and bad.

Simultaneously, my career in tech was starting to wane on me. I was feeling less and less inspired by the work I was doing and readier than ever for a big change. I had always wanted to own my own business, but was never quite clear what that business would be. My team leaders had always characterized me as the “CEO of my Product” and touted me for my work ethic, people skills, passion, and ability to execute, so why not apply all those attributes to running my own business?!

The idea of opening my own spin studio began to consume me day and night. My wife saw a side of me she never had, and gave me her full support and blessing in going at this full steam. So, I gave my notice at work and about 7 months later my dream became a reality and Dragonfly Cycling in Sherman Oaks was born.

The name “Dragonfly Cycling” came from the dragonfly’s spiritual and physical connections to humans (and to spinners). Live like a Dragonfly…with strength, passion, open mindedness, authenticity, power and poise. Dragonflies are indicators of light and transformation, so when one crosses your path get excited for the change headed your way!

DFLY has become everything I dreamed of and more! It’s got the feel of a boutique local studio, with the amenities, and quality experience of a big 5 star hot spot. Trendy and hip, but welcoming and unpretentious. Passionate and compassionate, positive, and uplifting. It truly is an incredibly community to be a part of, and something I look forward to continue building upon!

Has it been a smooth road?
Lol, no! But smooth roads are boring and predictable 🙂

Like any business, there are ups and downs, and being new to entrepreneurship almost everything is a first! Even things like taxes, payroll, staff management, and scheduling can feel like challenges at first, but we learn and grow, and over time it becomes easier to manage.

Owning a business is never easy, especially for a sensitive, wear-my-heart-on-my-sleeve kinda girl! But as long as I remember that everything happens for a reason, stay humble and positive, have faith in myself, and most importantly build a loyal, trustworthy team of rockstars by my side, nothing can stop us from moving forward!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dragonfly Cycling – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Dragonfly Cycling is an indoor cycling studio and strength training gym located right in the heart of Sherman Oaks, CA. We offer 50 minute spin and strength training classes 7 days per week led by LA’s finest and most experienced instructors. No matter what your fitness level and/or experience in cycling may be, you can expect to be challenged physically, mentally, and emotionally in every single class.

 

What I’m most proud of with Dragonfly is what I believe also sets us apart – our community.

When designing this place years ago, I imagined a space where all people from all walks of life would feel like they belong. A place that was buzzing with energy, excitement, and positivity…not by way of superficial affirmations on the walls, but in a genuine and authentic way. A place where “doing you” was encouraged (and preached!) because the more honest and accepting we are of ourselves, the more space we allow for internal growth and transformation.

However, I knew that this dream could only become a reality with the right people in place. The front desk staff, the instructors, and the customers all needed to buy into this philosophy of inclusion and realness (not common in the fitness industry in LA) in order for it to work. And it has. At the 2 1/2 year mark, I can honestly say that the people at DFLY are what I’m most proud of, and are also what sets us apart from the others. We have built a community of supportive, kind, strong, loving people who come together at this beautiful sanctuary with one common goal…to constantly better ourselves, seeking progress not perfection in this journey we call life.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love LA for its diversity, it’s open-mindedness, and its emphasis as a city and as a culture on health and wellness, in all forms!

What I don’t love about LA is the mind-numbing traffic! Fortunately for me I live 5 minutes from Dragonfly so commuting is a thing of the past!

Pricing:

• New Customer Special – First 10 Classes for $69!! (must be used in 30 days)
• Depending on package, classes average about $17/class, almost half of other leading competitors!

Contact Info:

• Address: Dragonfly Cycling
  4455 Van Nuys Blvd.,
  Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
• Website: www.dragonfly-cycling.com
• Phone: 818.325.8900
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/dragonflycycling
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/DragonflyCyclingStudio/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/dragonflycyc
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dragonfly-cycling-sherman-oaks
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC497-Vt-3uiMOtspyvRVWLg/videos

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.