We all start somewhere – maybe it’s a dream we had since childhood, or an idea that struck when we were in school, or even a side gig that turned into a full-time venture.

For Kanisha Harwell, owner of Balance Cheer and Gymnastics, her dream started early on. As a young, Black gymnast, Kanisha often felt uncomfortable and excluded in a sport whose practice spaces didn’t attract many girls that looked like her. Her experience fueled her dream of owning her own gym and creating a place where no child would feel excluded the way she once did.

Today, Kanisha is the proud owner of the only Black and female-owned gym in Ohio, breaking barriers and creating a safe haven for young gymnasts.

Kanisha’s journey wasn’t easy. She started small, cautious not to stretch herself too thin while navigating the early stages of her business, but she had no idea how much the community needed what she was offering. Operating out of a 3,500 square foot facility, managing a growing waitlist and looking to expand her services, she needed help. As a small, minority-owned gymnastics center with a unique business model, she faced bigger hurdles than most.

Struggling to find mentorship and business advice from within the industry, Kanisha reached out to JumpStart. She applied and was accepted to JumpStart’s Small Business Impact Program, a 12-week accelerator that helps local entrepreneurs grow their businesses and plan for long-term success.

Through the Impact Program, Kanisha worked primarily with JumpStart team member Rayne Elder, who provided support and advice throughout the course. “Rayne went above and beyond,” Kanisha says. “She showed such immense concern for me and all her other clients. The level of support she provided was invaluable.”

Kanisha credits JumpStart’s Phelan Spence with her newfound understanding of financial projections. “It was overwhelming at first,” she explains. “But Phelan broke down the concept and applied it to my business model in a way that really helped me feel comfortable talking about it to anyone, and that was something I struggled with before.”

Kanisha is determined to build something long-term and hopes to pass her business down to her kids one day. The $10,000 she won is earmarked for new equipment that will help her provide competitive gymnastics classes and programs.

Cheer Balance and Gymnastics is more than just a business. For Kanisha, it is the legacy that she is building for her family. For the community, it is a welcoming space that helps young people recognize their self-worth and cultivate their inner and outer strength. Through gymnastics, she hopes to instill in them the belief that with hard work, they can achieve anything in life. Kanisha is not just building a business; she is transforming her community in meaningful ways.

Thanks to the resources and counsel provided by JumpStart, Balance Cheer and Gymnastics has become a pillar in the community, providing hope and opportunity for many young athletes.

Kanisha’s story is just one example of how our collective efforts can create lasting change. This is why we do the work that we do at JumpStart. Join us – make a tax-deductible donation now. Your donation will provide funding and free programming for the entrepreneurs that spark change in our communities. With your support, we can create a future of shared prosperity, where every community is a hub of opportunity.