Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Gantt.
Hi Kimberly, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I grew up knowing that I didn’t want to work for someone else for the rest of my life. I’m sure this idea was developed through the subtle and not so subtle reminders from my parents, who would always say that I could be whatever I wanted to be if I just put my mind to it, and instead of working for someone else, open your own business. It was this type of encouragement from my parents that set me on the path of developing my own business.
As a child, I was always involved in enrichment activities and sports, including gymnastics. Through these enrichments, sporting experiences, and encouragement from my parents I developed a love to create and help others.
Although the idea of owning my own business was embedded at a young age, it wasn’t until college that I came up with a name for the business, Kimnastics, and later during a math class in undergrad that the Kimnastics concept was put in action.
This math class, unlike others, allowed me to use my creativity to design fun lessons to implement in the classroom. While other classmates were thinking thematically, bringing bears and other zoo animals into their lessons for counting purposes, I was thinking integration, and practicality, allowing children to have fun while learning practical skills.
My first lesson was captured on a VHS tape and used as my final exam project for class. Yes, the project was a success, and earned me an “A”. Reflecting, this was the first phase of my proof of concept.
While I finished my undergraduate degree, moved away from home, and into the workforce as an elementary school teacher in Maryland the development of Kimnastics moved towards developing my teaching skills, increasing my knowledge, experience, and earning my credentials and certifications.
Prior to launching Kimnastics, I taught 2nd and 3rd grade in the private school sector, and 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade in the public school sector. During my public & private school tenure, I taught the 5th grade gifted and talented math program for several years and implemented an after-school cheerleading and dance program.
I took a break from the classroom after several years and served as a Center Director for a corporate learning center, where I gained more insight into the business aspect of education. I later returned to the classroom for a brief time but left after being accepted into a Leadership for Mathematics Master’s program and accepting a position at the Maryland State Department of Education as a STEM Specialist. There, I was tasked with creating STEM resources, providing professional development, to teachers and administrators, and allocated funding to lead educational agencies to support the implementation of S.T.E.M education.
After my experience at the State Department of Education, I took a leap of faith launched the first Kimnastics program.
While maintaining a part-time teaching status in the public schools I launched a weekend Kimnastics program hosted at a fitness center for women in Catonsville, MD. With the help of the owner, her friends, and my cousins I provided monthly programming for children ages 3-10 on Saturdays. I ran the program for several months before expanding into the after-school market and ran my first afterschool program at a private school in Frederick MD. Shortly after, I landed a contract with Johns Hopkins Educational Outreach working with Baltimore City Public Schools. I then expanded into the summer camp market hosting camps in Frederick, Baltimore City, and County. I also began offering families private tutoring & enrichment in math and gymnastics and landed my first commercial space.
Eventually, my momentum came to a complete halt when the pandemic hit. Thankfully, I was able to pivot quickly and began tutoring online, hosted academic pods, and developed a membership program for families to help keep their children socially and academically engaged during a tough couple of years. As the world regained its sense of normalcy, I reengaged with the school systems and non-profit organizations to bring Kimnastics various communities while developing additional products to share through Kimnastics. Kimnastics is now offered 6 days a week in various locations in Maryland, and DC, and looking to continue its expansion to surrounding counties and states.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. The pandemic slowed things down tremendously especially when non-essential businesses were shutdown. While running and developing my business, I cared for my father who was ill, and passed away after our travel restrictions were lifted.
No matter how hard things get, keep moving forward. If you can’t take a big step, take smaller steps until you can do more.
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?
At Kimnastics we build math concepts and connections into all kinds of gymnastics, games, and confidence-building exercises that are fun and exciting for kids. Kids have so much fun they don’t notice that they are learning math skills and connecting numbers to real life! Kimnastics encourages teamwork, builds character, confidence, fosters independence, and communication. Our programs develop number sense, fine & gross motor skills, vocabulary, critical thinking, problem-solving, and physical fitness. We aim to develop the math minds of our future leaders!
It is our mission to provide students with the opportunities to develop healthy minds and bodies, build confidence, think creatively, and flexibly to achieve beyond their potential.
It is our vision to change the way we think, plan, and teach mathematics to inspire the next generation to have the confidence, skills, and knowledge to take on the challenges of tomorrow.
We specialize in math and fitness through gymnastics.
We are set apart from others in the way that we integrate math and gymnastics to develop the child’s mind and body.
I am most proud that my brand is universal and focuses on developing the whole child.
We offer customized programs from a certified math specialist. We provide school day programs, after-school programs, weekend programs, summer camps, mini-camps, playgroups, tutoring & enrichment, private lessons, and birthday parties.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
No matter how hard things get, keep moving forward. If you can’t take a big step, take baby steps.
Contact Info:
- Website: Kimnasticskids.com
- Instagram: @kimnasticskids
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088861100734&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kimberly-gantt-50528424b
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Kimnasticskids
