Today we’d like to introduce you to De’jonnae Boyd
Hi De’Jonnae, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is De’Jonnae Boyd; I’m the co-owner of Equilibrium Total Body Wellness, a Black women-owned boutique fitness studio offering aerial and traditional yoga, pole fitness, dance, combat fitness classes, and more.
My journey to this opportunity is entirely random, really. What started as trauma has become a source of passion and power. In 2020, my partner and I moved from Washington, DC, to Baltimore City. Despite being a Baltimore native, I’d lived abroad and outside the area for nearly ten years. I had studied marketing and entrepreneurship in college but had never imagined owning a brick-and-mortar business, let alone in my hometown.
We began fostering Baltimore City youth in 2021. We had a pregnant teen join our family. And after a horrible car accident, I found myself in the hospital with my foster daughter in early labor. Everyone was ok, and we were relieved to welcome her son, my godson, into the world. The evening we returned home from the hospital, I decided to run back out and do some Christmas and last-minute baby shopping—as we hadn’t anticipated my godson’s early arrival. I took our other foster daughter, a toddler, with me. When I returned home, our toddler was sleeping in the car. I waited with her as my partner unloaded the vehicle. An armed person carjacked us. I was barely able to get the toddler out of the car.
My anxiety and depression were at an all-time high. We were lucky to all be alive and to continue giving three young people a safe home. But mentally, I was not ok. After months of being locked in the house and afraid to go out, my mom invited me to my first chair dance class. It was…interesting. As a survivor of sexual abuse, a sensual dance class was not my go-to choice for fitness. But my mom insisted that I sign up and come with her. I’m so glad she did.
In 2022, I started exploring other pole fitness studios in the DMV area. I fell in love with a newer studio closer to my home. When the studio owners decided they could no longer manage the business. A good friend and I jumped at the opportunity to continue a space and a community that helped me heal and find a way back into my body.
Thus was born Equilibrium Total Body Wellness (EQFit)
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are so many challenges. My business partner and I both have full-time careers. Finding the time to manage the studio, while maintaining meaningful relationships with our instructors and front desk staff, plan collaborations and events, and, of course, pour into our clientele has not been easy. Not to mention all of the other entrepreneurship woes like marketing, sales, and so on.
It’s been HARD. I am blessed to have a strong background in digital marketing, but not even that has saved us. I’ve had to get past my social anxiety, which peaked during COVID-19 and after the carjacking, to get in front of people and build new relationships. We’re learning as we go.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Equilibrium Total Body Wellness is a boutique fitness studio located in Baltimore City. We aim to connect the mind and body with intentional movement that inspires total body wellness. We offer a range of classes, including pole dance, aerial and traditional yoga, mat pilates, pole barre, kickboxing, boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and dance fitness. We’ve built a welcoming environment where *every* body is celebrated. We’ve dedicated ourselves to helping individuals find their equilibrium, strength, and community, ultimately transforming lives one movement at a time.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most as a business owner is that people have safe spaces to refuel, rebuild, and return to themselves stronger than ever. I want EQFit to be an accessible movement space for all people.
As a foster parent, my goal is that when children come into our home, they are given the love, safety, and support needed to heal and grow. It’s also important to me that our children’s families can breathe, knowing their children are safe while they focus on reunification.
Pricing:
- 2 Classes—$25 (New Clients)
- 4 Classes—$45 (New Clients)
- 6 Classes—$65 (New Clients)
- Orange 4 Class Pack (College Students)—$75 (Returning Clients)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eqbaltimore.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equilibriumbaltimore/ | https://www.instagram.com/eqbaltimore/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561914654035
- Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/signin/?referrer=%2Fe%2F5-first-saturdaybeginner-pole-dance-tickets-1027132329447&stld=1
