Today we’d like to introduce you to Tia Forlizzi.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was introduced to all-star cheerleading in the seventh grade. I immediately fell in love with the sport and found a home away from home. At sixteen I started my coaching career and is when I realized I loved working with kids as much as I loved the sport of cheerleading. That year I choreographed my first routine and we became National Champions that year. Our success mixed with my passion lead me to write my first cheer gym business plan. I continued to coach, volunteer, choreograph, and judge cheerleading competitions through high school, college and grad school. Upon graduation I decided to take my master’s degree in social work and serve my community in an unconventional way. I followed my dream, took my life savings, and invested it in to my own cheer gym.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Though it has been a dream come true it has not been a smooth road. Becoming a business owner at 24 was a huge undertaking. Though I was experienced with cheerleading and coaching I had no business experience. There were many doubters, many failures and just as many things that I needed to learn. My unwavering determination, resilience, and the support of my parents and my best friend/right hand Dashalee have allowed me to continue to learn more and follow my dream through.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
At Cheer Your Heart Out we improve the lives of children and families in our community by providing the best possible cheer and tumble experience. We do this by building relationships with our members and their families, incorporating character development into our athletic programs, focusing on individual development, and helping kids reach and exceed their athletic potential.
We are known for being innovative whether it be our class curriculum, special event offerings, uniforms, or cheerleading routines. We are always introducing new, fun and exciting things for our members.
I am most proud of the kids in our program. Though the titles, trophies, banners, and jackets are awesome seeing kids grow, develop, and mature into great people in addition to great athletes is the most rewarding thing.
What sets us apart from others is that we truly care about the kids in our programs plus I have an advantage as an owner since I have now been a cheerleader, a cheer coach, cheer director, and cheer mom. I can now make decisions through the eyes of each role and I understand the concerns of each.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was just as I am now. I was a perfectionist. I was smart, ambitious, strong willed, and independent. I was also very insecure and anxious because I didn’t feel like I belonged which made others think I was shy. Adults in my life always said I was wise beyond my years. I was a true loyal friend, always helping people through tough times. I would have given anyone the shirt off my back. I enjoyed singing, listening to music, and writing songs/poetry, but my favorite thing in the entire world was cheerleading.
Pricing:
- New Client Trial four weeks of unlimited classes for just $49.99!
Contact Info:
- Address: 20 Spencer St. Stoneham, MA 02180
- Website: www.cheeryourheartout.com
- Phone: (781) 435-0489
- Email: cheeryourheartoutma@gmail.com
- Instagram: @cheeryourheartoutma
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cheeryourheartoutma
- Twitter: @cheeryourhearto
Image Credit:
Headshot taken by Through My Lenz Photography
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