Behind the Scenes with Sweat Cycle's Mimi Benz
A Founder-to-Founder interview with a trailblazing Wolfpack Leader
Mimi Benz, Founder of Sweat Cycle, The Original Heated Cycling Studio
Interview by Amira Polack, Founder & CEO at Struct Club
When it comes to the entrepreneurial hustle, Mimi Benz is one serious b@d@$$ boss. Her walk-on song? Eve’s Satisfaction. Motivation mantra? “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.” Mic officially dropped.
Mimi put everything on the line to create Sweat Cycle, The Original Heated Cycling Studio. Today, each class from LA to Atlanta pulses with the energy of a deeply loyal community, led by coaches who have often spent years waiting to audition, including Peloton’s Tunde Oyeneyin. Plus - Mimi and her husband raise three incredible children. With that, let’s go Behind the Scenes with Sweat Cycle’s Mimi Benz.
Tell us about you - your story and journey to starting Sweat Cycle.
I took my very first indoor cycling class in 1996 and instantly became hooked. In fact, I became so obsessed that I applied for a job at a boutique indoor cycling studio just so I could get to ride for free. I ended up working at studios to put myself through college, eventually managing them and even consulting with other small business owners, helping them open boutique studios. I also met my husband at one of the studios I was managing!
I became indoor cycling certified in 2005, pilates certified in 2007, and started my own Pilates business shortly after. Looking back now, I can say that fitness anchored me in so many ways and cultivated so many important relationships that have impacted me in such a significant way.
My husband and I tied the knot in 2008 and welcomed our first born the next year. Of course, I was back on the spin bike as soon as I got the okay after having my son, but I quickly realized it was going to take a lot more to drop the baby weight and maintain my mental sanity adjusting to becoming a new mom. Enter hot yoga. I fell in love with the practice and was able to not only drop the weight, but gain the mental clarity I was seeking. Then a serendipitous event occurred.
While taking an indoor cycling class at one of my favorite gyms, their HVAC system was not working, creating a hot room to ride in. While many of the customers complained, I rode in silence in total amazement at my body's response to it. I loved every second. That was my light bulb moment. Hot Cycling.
I hurried home to share the idea with my husband. It was decided: we were going to open the very first heated cycling studio. We borrowed money from our parents, maxed out all of our credit cards and depleted all of our savings - and went for it.
What does your day-to-day routine as a fitness entrepreneur look like? Can you highlight some of the key priorities you have to manage?
I now have three children and three locations, so my day-to-day routine is more of a juggling act than a routine, to be honest. Our children are at the forefront of everything that we do and it's challenging. Juggling school schedules, nap schedules, after school activities; that parent life all while running a fitness business is no joke. I have become more disciplined as I have gotten older and now find I operate best when dedicating the mornings to the business operations and my late afternoons into the evenings to my family. However, none of it looks perfect and it does change day-to-day depending on all the moving parts of this crazy juggling act.
My favorite advice comes from my husband, as I often get frustrated that I am not getting enough done: focus on what is in front of you right now. And while that sometimes can actually be a lot, it does take a lot of the pressure off.
Building a business as the founder of “the Country’s Hottest Workout” is no small task - can you share with us a specific example of a major obstacle you've encountered along the journey and how you overcame it?
When we first opened, we took a lot of heat (pun intended) - people thought it was crazy and some even labeled it as "unsafe." We worked really hard at staying focused and committed to our vision and plan. Drowning out the noise of the critics, the haters, the non-supporters and moving in with laser focus and an intense work ethic was key.
What are some pro tips you would recommend to other would-be entrepreneurs that make YOUR life easier?
Start small and take your time. Not in your thinking, but in your approach. I have watched a lot concepts start off with really large spaces, overstaffed, very expensive start up costs in place and then quickly fail. The fitness landscape is very competitive and there is a lot of smoke and mirrors out there. There is something to starting off modestly and taking your time to build. Slow and steady wins the race!
What has motivated you to get to where you are today?
When I started this business, my son motivated me. I grew up around women who were very dependent upon men. And that is not a bad thing at all. But I wanted to show my son that I could be independent and build something from nothing, really. Becoming a mother was a huge driving force for me.
Lightening round! Give us your top pick for each of these:
Motivation Mantra: Be yourself. Everyone else is taken
Signature Move (in class): Love me some jumps and speed bumps
Spirit Animal: Horse (they are magical and spiritual creatures)
Walk-on Song: Eve "Satisfaction"
If there's anything about using Struct Club that has aided you and you feel inclined to share, we'd love to know!
Finally an app that uses BPM's as a foundation in structuring classes. We love it!
