From Local Studio to National Franchise: The Story Behind Fly Dance Fitness

In this episode of This Mother Means Business, Laura sits down with Stacey Marks and Kari Schroeter, the powerhouse duo behind Fly Dance Fitness. What started as a local dance studio quickly grew into a viral social media sensation and now a franchise brand expanding across the U.S. Stacey and Kari share their journeys from motherhood struggles to business ownership, how they pivoted during COVID, and the role TikTok played in skyrocketing their brand visibility. If you’ve ever thought about starting a business with a partner, scaling through franchising, or building a thriving community around fitness, this conversation is packed with inspiration and real-world lessons.In this episode you will hear:00:00 – Meet Stacey & Kari of Fly Dance Fitness01:12 – Kari’s Journey from Client to Co-Owner04:00 – Stacey’s Story: From Isolation to Community06:30 – The Power of Community in Fitness Spaces08:06 – Taking Over the Studio (Right Before the Pandemic)09:10 – Going Online & the Rise of TikTok12:28 – From One Studio to a Franchise Model15:02 – TikTok as a Game-Changer for Small Business17:30 – Why Their Content Resonates19:28 – Business Partnerships That Work24:56 – Franchising with Intention29:13 – Balancing Growth & Doing What You Love33:36 – Where to Find Fly Dance Fitness Kari's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaschroeter/Website: https://www.flydancefitness.com/ Stacey's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staceymarks_/Website: https://www.flydancefitness.com/Join This Mother Means Business Community : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/community Laura's Links:• Website • Laura's Instagram • LinkedIn • Facebook • Pinterest • TikTok