Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Kincheloe.
Hi Stephanie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When asked to talk about my “story” or “how I got started,” I can’t help but think, I don’t really have a story per se. I have life experiences and a strong foundation and upbringing that instilled strong work ethic and desire to do my best always. I was an only child who grew up in South Carolina and my role models were my Mother and Father. My father was a Hungarian immigrant who escaped his country at a young age and came to the US to make this home and to start his own business. My Mother helped him run the family business and from them, I learned one must work hard and be loyal to your customers. My family upbringing was full of love and support and I grew up believing I really could be anything I wanted to be as long as I worked hard at achieving my goals.
During my childhood and as I grew in my own sales career, I traveled a lot of this world where I learned to accept all people as they are and to respect other’s cultures. My travel experiences produced some of my most wonderful memories of people and places and ignited my passion for travel.
My foundation was built on a strong work ethic, a love of all different types of people and a strong focus on good old-fashioned customer service. In my young career, I had the privilege of working in organizations that trained and led with a focus to the customer. That focus only sharpened as I grew to learn more about business and relationships in business. My business career started with Business Development, Sales and Client or Engagement Management. The skills I learned in these areas remain stamped on my brain and are skills I try to impart to my team every day.
So why would I choose to open a spin studio? Well, it is rather simple, I found my passion in this workout while living in New York and realized that I missed my “community” when I later moved to Austin. While living in New York, I found a true community of people who were inspired by and moved by this crazy thing called rhythmic cycling. When my husband and two small children made the decision to move to Austin, I found myself wondering what I would do without my daily dose of an ass-kicking workout, singing along to songs I knew while struggling to maintain my breath, giving sweaty hugs and high fives to my friends, and knowing I belonged to a strong community where I felt uplifted.
When I moved to Austin, I began the hunt for a new group of friends and a community to which I belonged. I tried the few spin studios that were in town and landed in one studio that would be the place I met some lifelong friends and would be the place that helped fuel the spark that laid within me to try to build something of my own. One may think the story starts here, but I cannot stress enough the foundation for success was laid early on in my life by a set of parents who instilled a very strong work ethic and tenacity to not give up easily!
I began to view the landscape in Austin and elsewhere for how certain spin studios presented themselves. What did I see? I saw spin studios around the country focusing heavily on the workout and most trying to make themselves into the mirror image of the highly successful Soulcycle. I knew I wanted to offer something that took it a step beyond what others had created. That was the moment I knew I wanted to open my own spin studio and lay my own foundation for an amazing customer experience.
I am often asked why did you name your studio Love Cycling Studio? Why LOVE? I have my late husband to thank for the inspiration and the name. The word LOVE has no negative connotation. It is inclusive and welcoming to all. LOVE has no boundaries and invokes that warm, friendly feeling within all. It is honestly the most perfect descriptor of the community we have created and the culture in which we operate.
My journey to open Love Cycling Studio began over five years ago, the studio is graced with many new faces as well as with those who have been a part of our family from the beginning. The studio has received many accolades and continues to be the #1 Spin Studio in Austin, TX! My most favorite accolades of all are the notes, texts, emails and words I receive daily from our community of riders. Their words are of how we have encouraged them, of how they have overcome addiction, of how much the studio and our team mean to them, of how LOVE is their “Happy Place.” This is when I know all of my hard work and vision actually do have an impact on others and that I did indeed help to create a place for all where their overall experience has moved them physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ha! This is a particularly poignant question coming off of 2020 and as we are still in the midst of a global pandemic in 2021. Nothing in life comes easy and one must never stop moving forward. In 2020, I used the word “pivot” more often than I ever want to remember. I became tired of the word “pivot” but it is what kept our studio running and our team inspired to keep going. Although we practice “spinning in place” every day in studio, my rule of them is never standstill. Always keep moving, simply put one foot in front of the other and keep moving.
Prior to 2020, there were the typical struggles of a new business. Finding the perfect location for our community was a challenge and we certainly overcame that with our existing location. It is centrally located and provides ample free parking with easy access from all points within the city.
The next challenge after build out was to find amazing talent and to ensure all of instructors were genuinely different and brought their own personality to the bike. We basically had to train all new talent and to this day, the majority of those remain with us. We maintain very high standards for our entire team and it oftentimes poses a challenge to uncover new talent who can fit into our culture at LOVE as well as connect with our rider community. We train our front desk staff and ensure customer satisfaction standards are being upheld. Our instructor team consists of very talented yet all uniquely different individuals who bring so much energy and genuine heartfelt dedication to the podium. The entire studio team is what makes up the core essence of LOVE Cycling Studio. Without this fantastic team of talent across the front desk and instructor team as well our behind the scenes Retail Director, there would not be a LOVE Cycling Studio!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My “work” and my passion is LOVE Cycling Studio. I am the owner and General Manager of the studio and have a core team of professionals who make the studio run smoothly. I am known to be a bit of a task master and overseer of all things. I demand excellent customer service from my entire team and I believe it is one of the elements that sets us apart as a spin studio. When one enters a spin studio, they do not necessarily expect a focus on service, yet it is my goal that all who enter our studio feel welcomed and seen and have an amazing experience every time.
I spend most every day at the studio, taking classes as well as ensuring the overall studio is in working order and the team is in good hands. The favorite part of my day is meeting and greeting and riding with our rider community. I love seeing all of the smiling faces coming and going. My day is always made when someone stops me to tell me their story or how LOVE has impacted their life. I then know that all of my hard work has been worth it and that it has truly made a difference.
I am most proud of this entire team who makes up LOVE Cycling Studio as without this team of hardworking people, there would not be a LOVE Cycling Studio. I am proud to say I opened the doors to a studio where many call their “happy place.”
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
It begins with work ethic. With a foundation in work ethic, I was persistent in never giving up on my vision. I am stubborn and am passionate about my vision and goals and keep moving forward until I meet them. I never ask anyone to do anything that I would not also do. If a toilet needs to be plunged, I throw on some gloves and get to work. As a leader, I believe it is important to support your team, to lead by example and to be humble. One must also have true gut strength to face adversity and not give up. Tenacity coupled with a strong work ethic certainly set the foundation for success. A little luck and a lot of community support add to the recipe for success.
Contact Info:
- Email: stephanie@lovecyclingstudio.com
- Website: www.lovecyclingstudio.com
- Instagram: lovecyclingstudio
- Facebook: LOVE Cycling Studio
Image Credits
@Wildlemoncreative
