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How Two Powerhouse Entrepreneurs Kept Their Business Alive
Almost overnight, these two NYC trainers created a whole new business model to keep their dream — and community — active and thriving.
Jacey Lambros and Danielle DeAngelo know the power of community. Both former dancers for the Radio City Rockettes, the two were driven to create a powerhouse community of women, or “Janes”, dedicated to empowering themselves as they become more physically and financially confident. Now, they own the fitness brand Jane DO, “the largest community of the world’s most powerful women,” offering fitness classes throughout New Jersey and NYC.
Like many small business owners, Jacey and Danielle have had to adapt as the pandemic shuttered their doors. Rather than accept defeat, the two seized the opportunity to reach women everywhere with their classes and their message. And according to Jacey’s fiancée, Anthony Carrino, it didn’t take long for them to adjust. “Fortunately, Jacey got engaged to a pretty hardcore nerd, and I already had the majority of the wires, cameras and things that we needed to create a livestream in my office,” he says. “Within 24 hours, we were up and running and they’ve been able to reach so many more people because of it.”
With their five physical locations closed, the Jane DO trainers have instead focused on offering livestream versions of their signature workouts. For the first two months, Jacey and Anthony’s garage served as their studio, with Anthony acting as the cameraman. Though not ideal, Jacey and Danielle are no strangers to making it work. Their first-ever studio had structural issues that forced them to hold pop-up classes for eight months while repairs were made. When the doors finally opened, they already had 150 loyal clients.
Today, their tenacity and dedication to their Janes are paying off as they reach more women across the U.S. “Sometimes when you’re presented with some of the biggest challenges, you wind up with successes that you never really anticipated,” Anthony says.
Sometimes when you’re presented with some of the biggest challenges, you wind up with successes that you never really anticipated.”– Anthony Carrino
Now, it’s clear that even when they’re able to get back in the studios and hold in-person classes, the live streams will continue to play some role in their business, even if they’re not quite sure what that looks like yet. “It’s a constant conversation between them, trying to figure out the next move and trying to be there for their community,” Anthony explains.
“Watching the two of them operate is so impressive,” he continues. “They’ve stayed very true to their mission. It’s the largest group of the most powerful women. That’s what they set out to build and that’s what they continue to build. They pivoted very quickly, so they didn’t lose any momentum and they didn’t leave anyone out.”
They might make it look easy, but Anthony knows Danielle and Jacey are anxious to return to in-person workouts. “They’re dying to get back in the studio,” he says. “They’re dying to see all of their Janes.”
Jacey and Danielle’s story is part of a powerful series highlighting the hope and resilience of small business owners across America. Whether your business is well-established or just starting out, U.S. Bank has all the banking tools and support you need to keep your business dreams alive and thriving.
