A DANCE FITNESS EMPIRE | Building a community around dance w/ Stacey Marks & Kari Schroeter

In this episode Michael talks with visionary owners, Stacey Marks & Kari Schroeter, the CEO & COO of Fly Dance Fitness!

About Fly Dance Fitness

In a society where women are often pitted against each other, Fly Dance Fitness® rebels against this by bringing women (and men) together through dance and fitness. Together, they all leave their worries, opinions, and differentiating beliefs at the door for the best workout experience imaginable and they leave feeling 10x better than when the first walked in.

Fly Dance Fitness® believes exercise is a celebration of what our bodies can do. This is why we hold epic workout parties 7 days a week. We remember what it was like to hit the clubs in our twenties and how the hours felt like minutes with the right people. Fly Dance Fitness exists so that everyone can relive their clubbing days, every day, without the hangover. We offer group fitness classes accessible for all fitness levels. From high-intensity hip hop dance fitness Throw Down®, to strength training in our Sculpt classes, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy while bettering themselves.

Along with group classes in our flagship studio, Fly Dance Fitness has expanded its reach to offer virtual classes, instructorship training and launched their franchising program just one year ago. Since then, they have received hundreds if not thousands of applications and have signed 7 franchisees with more on the way. Locations include: Bradenton, FL, Orlando, FL, Broomfield, CO, San Antonio, TX, Myrtle Beach, SC, Alpharetta, GA and Knoxville, TN. The first of which, Alpharetta, is scheduled to open this Fall of 2024.

Fly Dance Fitness has received numerous awards in the Sarasota community, such as Best Gym / Fitness Studio by SRQ Magazine and the Herald Tribune, and most recently won "Woman Owned Business of the Year" from the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

About the Owners

KARI SCHROETER | COO, Co-Owner
Founder of Fly Dance Fitness Franchising

Kari began dancing at age three, continuing through competitive dance and high school color guard. At the University of Florida, her strong math skills led her to a BS in Industrial & Systems Engineering and later an MS in Management. Moving to Sarasota with her husband Dave, Kari excelled in corporate roles while cherishing her role as a mother to three children. Discovering Fly Dance Fitness in 2016, she rekindled her passion for dance, becoming an instructor and co-owner in 2019. Kari's attention to detail and dedication to community have been pivotal to Fly's growth and success.

STACEY MARKS | CEO, Co-Owner
Founder of Fly Dance Fitness Franchising

Stacey, a third-generation entrepreneur, pursued a psychology degree at the University of South Florida before rediscovering her love for dance at Fly Dance Fitness. Balancing marketing and business roles with her passion for movement, she teamed up with Kari in 2019 to elevate Fly into a thriving community. The success Fly Dance Fitness has experienced is in great part to Stacey’s social media strategy and creativity. Her journey proves the power of following one's dreams, inspiring others through her dedication and entrepreneurial spirit.

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