Business Directory
The 2024 CO— 100 List|Culture Champions

Industry Gymnastics

Industry Gymnastics is a Latina-owned gymnastics facility in New York City dedicated to inclusivity and empowerment through its gender-neutral classes, special needs accommodations, and a focus on recreational gymnastics. Focused on holistic child development and community engagement, Industry Gymnastics creates a supportive environment where all children can thrive, while actively contributing to local initiatives and fostering personal growth beyond traditional competitive gymnastics.

Founded

2020

Industry

Professional Services

Notable Facts

Woman-owned, Minority-owned

2024 Honoree in Culture Champions

Industry Gymnastics has been named a Culture Champion. This category celebrates businesses that have cultivated a vibrant and rewarding company culture, drawing in and retaining dedicated employees who drive the company's success. Through hard work, dedication, and a shared commitment to goals, these businesses have created a thriving and profitable enterprise, with a spotlight on the power of unity and shared purpose that showcases the pivotal role of culture in fostering a motivated and successful workforce. The CO—100 is the annual list of the 100 best and brightest small and mid-sized businesses in America.


Overview–

Industry Gymnastics Overview

Leadership

Owner/Founder

Natalie Fuertes

Contact

Address

502 50th Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101

Social

About Industry Gymnastics

In the heart of NYC, Industry Gymnastics stands as a testament to inclusivity and empowerment. Founded by me, Natalie, a dedicated Latina entrepreneur with a background in education, this facility is built on four transformative pillars: gender inclusion, special needs inclusion, a recreational focus, and community engagement. These pillars stem from my educational philosophy, which prioritizes the whole child approach - nurturing not just athletic skills, but fostering personal growth and social values. Our facility is distinct within the gymnastics community for its pioneering approach to inclusivity. Traditional programs often segregate classes by gender, but all classes at Industry Gymnastics are gender-neutral, welcoming children who identify as gender expansive. We create a safe space where these children can express themselves freely and authentically without fear of judgment or bullying, which they might have experienced in other sports settings due to their gender expression. This approach is groundbreaking in gymnastics, offering a unique opportunity for gender-variant children to engage in physical activity in a truly supportive environment. Additionally, we have tailored our offerings to be inclusive of children with special needs. We accommodate children with additional needs such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), sensory processing disorders (SPD), and limb differences. Our adaptive practices include providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and designing specific classes that address the unique needs of these children, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, can participate and enjoy gymnastics. Embracing a non-competitive spirit, Industry Gymnastics has moved away from traditional competitive programs to focus solely on recreational gymnastics. This shift allows us to prioritize the personal growth and joy of learning over winning, aligning with our mission to nurture each childs holistic development. Every childs effort and progress, from mastering a new skill to growing in confidence, are celebrated with great enthusiasm and pride, reinforcing our commitment to their personal development. Our engagement with the local community further enhances our unique position. We actively contribute through charity initiatives, such as donating to local schools, providing scholarships, welcoming migrant children at no cost, and organizing quarterly fundraising events to support various nonprofits. This integration into the community not only amplifies our social responsibility but also solidifies our role as a cornerstone of neighborhood support and inclusion. Financially, our inclusive approach and community engagement have proved to be successful. Weve seen a steady increase in enrollment, indicating that families value a gymnastics experience that prioritizes personal development and community involvement over traditional competitive metrics. Our profitability is reinvested into the facility and our outreach programs, ensuring we continue to serve our community effectively while maintaining a sustainable business model. In summary, Industry Gymnastics, under my leadership as a dedicated Latina small business owner, represents more than just a place for physical training; it is a community center where children and adults can grow, learn, and contribute to building a more inclusive and supportive society. Our approach goes beyond teaching gymnastics; its about instilling values and building a foundation for lifelong success and fulfillment.

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