Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorien Anderson Jaime Clark.
Hi Lorien Anderson, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Jaime and I started pole dancing back in 2017 at a studio called Aura. We met there and became friends. We were both pretty passionate about pole, so we got certified as instructors and started teaching there. When it became clear that Aura was going to close, we started talking about what it would take to open our own studio. It wasn’t easy, but it was beyond worth all time and energy we put into opening our first location in February of 2019. We grew fairly quickly, and at the one year mark we decided we could finally pay ourselves (a huge deal for a small business owner!). A month later, COVID hit. We got shut down for 3 months and took everything online. We offered our students private sessions and online classes and asked that they hang in there with us so that they would have a studio to return to after lock down. The response was overwhelming and humbling. Our teachers and students not only stuck with us, but actively supported us. We came back after lock down stronger than ever! In 2022 we bought a second location and operated out of both locations for about a year and a half. At that point, we were forced out of our rental location due to new ownership and moved entirely into the space we own on Penman Rd. It’s been 6 years now, and things just keep getting better. We have 14 instructors, several styles of classes (including Pole tricks and choreography, heels, bellydance, aerial yoga, roller pole, strength and conditioning, burlesque, etc), an eclectic mix of students, and an amazingly supportive community of bad ass women (with a few great guys sprinkled in).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has certainly not been a smooth road. We were surprised at the level of discrimination we faced simply because of the nature of our business. We were told by landlords that they didn’t want “our type of clientele” on their properties, and by insurance providers that they didn’t have “an appetite for our type of business”. We had an agent tell us that he had zero properties in his entire portfolio that would entertain doing business with us. It was wild. We have also had to overcome gossip and straight up slander by people who were not happy to see us succeed. Not to mention the brick and mortar type issues that come with running a fitness studio. To be fair, all of this just pushed us harder to do better.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In addition to our other jobs, Jaime and I both teach at the studio. My special passion is RollerPole (pole dancing in roller skates) and hers is Heels. At Alt Fit Jax we are most proud of the supportive, loving community that extends beyond the studio. People come in and make life long friends, find the confidence they’ve been missing, build strength, get healthier, find themselves. It is truly remarkable to witness. We have top notch instructors who are creative, loving, and put in hours above and beyond what they get paid for to ensure that they have great lesson plans and are meeting the needs of the students. I think what sets us apart is how much fun we have! It’s why people come in for bachelorette parties and girls night out. To be able to do something active that brings you joy is pretty awesome.
Pricing:
- Drop in Class – $20
- New Student Intro Offer – $69 for 30 days unlimited
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.altfitjax.com
- Instagram: @altfitjax
- Facebook: Alt Fit Jax
- Youtube: Alt Fit Jax
