With the opening of a new fitness studio in Grand Rapids' Eastown in early January,
Allegro Coaching added nearly a dozen full- and part-time jobs for fitness instructors and others who want to "connect with people" seeking healthier lifestyles.
Owner Kendra Bylsma began Allegro as an onsite fitness program for local corporations. With the opening of a 2,500-square-foot studio space in the renovated Kingsley Building (1422 Robinson Rd.), Bylsma brought on seven fitness coaches to take care of both corporate and studio clients, plus several part-time people to work the front desk. The fitness instructors are now contract employees, but Bylsma says she's working on a transitioning those contract positions to full- and part-time employee positions.
"Bringing them on as contract employees expands the amount of business we're able to do at different companies right away," Bylsma says. "Before, it was just me and one other part-time person. Now we can run multiple corporate programs at the same time to grow the business. It has allowed me to step back and make time and plan for the new studio in Eastown, and really have more vision to where I want things to go in 2012."
Bylsma, a self-described visionary and broad thinker, aims to add a business manager with an eye for detail to help her keep the business' growth and staff development on track. "Right now, it's just me, and that doesn't allow me to get out there and promote the business as much as I'd like to," she says.
Bylsma says she's been in the industry for 11 years, thanks to a jumpstart at Calvin College when she interned in corporate wellness.
"That exposed to me a whole new career I didn't even know existed," she says. "I think this field will continue to grow. This is a great career choice if you're passionate about helping others."
She credits some of Allegro Coaching's growth to a new awareness in society that we all will be working longer and need to be healthy to do it.
"I think people are realizing how being healthy can maximize all the other areas of their lives," Bylsma says. "I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all approach to fitness anymore. We as a society know that we need to move more and eat better, but some of us just need that accountability in our lives because it provides motivation and encouragement."
Source: Kendra Bylsma, Allegro Coaching
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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