Every Day's Like Recess
Dancing and tumbling, this franchisee helps kids get healthy.
It's not often you get to go to work in sweats and run around
in your socks all day. But in Gilon Rubanenko's line of work,
dressing down is a must. As the owner of a Solon, Ohio-based My Gym
Children's Fitness Center franchise, Rubanenko and his staff
work closely with children ages 3 months to 9 years, a difficult
task to do in a suit and tie.
"The main idea of our program is to build their
self-confidence and self-esteem as well as their balance and
coordination," says Rubanenko, 33. Created in 1983, My Gym
offers programs and classes for children, with a basis in
gymnastics and tumbling. Music, dance and puppet shows are
incorporated into the program for younger children, while older
participants develop basic sports skills.
Rubanenko, who was once a soccer coach and camp counselor,
walked into an Illinois My Gym franchise in January 2001. Within
five minutes, he knew it was the business he wanted to run. Two
months later, he signed a deal with My Gym.
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Now Rubanenko is having the time of his life. "I get to
have a positive influence on kids. They get to have a healthy
lifestyle, which is what I want for my kids," he says.
Despite the perks, Rubanenko can't avoid the challenges.
"In every business, you'll have issues and concerns,"
he says. "This just happens to be a very fun
business."
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