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In the UAE, Elke's children craved more gymnastics training. During a casual chat with their coach, a joking remark sparked an unexpected idea. With the rising costs and the desire for flexible training hours, Elke mused about installing a bar in her garden and hiring a coach.
A few months later, the coach surprised Elke with a question: "Are you still interested in buying equipment?" This led to a casual business plan, a list of essential equipment, and a shared vision. Driven by the desire to provide better training for their own children and a few others, Elke and her husband decided to take the plunge.
The journey wasn't smooth sailing. Elke, new to the world of business ownership, encountered a constant stream of challenges. One particularly trying experience involved renovating their second facility. Elke, ever the self-starter, tackled the project without outside help. From adding locker rooms to creating seating areas, she encountered unexpected hurdles at every turn. But Elke is a fighter. Her motto? "Keep going, and eventually, everything gets sorted."
As Aspire scaled, the limitations of manual processes also became evident. Elke describes the transformation Classcard brought about. Before Classcard, everything, from registration forms to schedules, was handled manually using Excel sheets. This cumbersome system became a bottleneck as Aspire grew.
Classcard wasn't just about streamlining payments; it was about streamlining everything. Registration became smooth, with online forms capturing vital information. Attendance was tracked electronically, eliminating the need for messy paper logs. Accessibility became a key benefit. Now, coaches can access student information with a few clicks, allowing them to tailor training plans and monitor progress. Parents, too, benefited from the convenience of online payments and real-time updates.
Looking back, Elke acknowledges the importance of embracing technology early on. Implementing Classcard after years of manual operations was a significant undertaking, but the benefits were undeniable.
Additionally, Elke candidly admits she never envisioned Aspire Gymnastics becoming a multi-branch enterprise with over 1800 students. But she's open to what the future holds. Elke encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace change and "go with the flow." You never know what opportunities might cross your path.
Elke's dedication to Aspire Gymnastics extends beyond the regular workday. Elke carves out her "me time" by indulging in her passion for rugby. Elke laces up her boots and joins a competitive team, a testament to her adventurous spirit and unwavering commitment to physical fitness!