Helaine Knapp’s Top 10 Lessons on Business, Fitness & Resilience 💪
Big ideas start small—how one studio turned into a movement
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Sunday, March 30th
Testing CITYROW with Just One Studio
Anecdote: Before committing to a large-scale business, Helaine Knapp opened a single CITYROW studio to validate the concept. She focused on refining the experience, gathering feedback, and ensuring demand before expanding.
Implication: You don’t need to go all-in from the start. Testing your idea on a small scale minimizes risk and maximizes learning.
Application: Instead of waiting for the “perfect” plan, launch a minimum viable product (MVP) and improve as you go.
From Injury to Innovation: How Helaine Knapp Disrupted the Fitness Industry
"Be the customer before you build for the customer." Helaine built CITYROW based on what she wished existed.
"Feedback is a gift." Use criticism as a tool for improvement rather than a personal attack.
"Execution beats ideas." A great concept means nothing without a strong follow-through.
"Create a brand that resonates emotionally." CITYROW connects with users by making fitness feel accessible, not intimidating.
"Business success starts with solving a real problem." CITYROW was born out of Helaine’s personal need for a safe yet effective workout. Identify pain points in your industry and create solutions.
"Pivot with purpose." When injury forced her to rethink fitness, Helaine didn’t quit—she adapted. Challenges often lead to the most innovative breakthroughs.
"A great team is the backbone of any successful company." Helaine surrounds herself with people who bring strengths that complement hers.
"Fundraising is storytelling." Investors don’t just invest in numbers; they invest in vision, execution, and leadership.
"Don’t wait for the perfect moment." Helaine jumped into entrepreneurship before she had all the answers—action breeds clarity.
"Your network is your power source." Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and advisors who push you forward.
