Meet Jackie and Pasquale Ranalli
Who are you?
We are Jackie and Pasquale Ranalli, the owners of Livingston Gym! As parents of four young kids, we understand the importance of both free-play and instructed physical activities. Jackie is a Registered Dietitian and immediate past President of the New Jersey Dietetic Association with a life-long love of playing and coaching sports (particularly soccer!). Pasquale is a former Software Engineer who has trained throughout life in various martial arts from karate to boxing to the present day in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. We are both certified Recreational Coaches through USA Gymnastics. We are local residents and are invested in building a better community for the families and children of the entire area. Fun fact: we met many moons ago while teaching kickboxing classes!
What is your Business?
We are Livingston Gym- A place where kids can Go Play, Create, Tumble, and simply Be... We are a boutique children's gym for ages 9 months to 12 that offers WAY more than just gymnastics! From Tumble and Play, Games, Activities, instructed skills with so much more to come. Livingston Gym offers kids classes, camps and Parties!
How did you start your Business?
We bought the gym from a previous owner who started something great but needed to move on and we raised all our kids at her gym and couldn't stand to see this incredible opportunity go away. We wanted to create a place where kids can learn the foundations of gymnastics at their own pace; a place where all are accepted and included and any kid can move and tumble through action while gaining resilience and empathy.
How did you advertise your business?
Word of mouth is the best form of advertisment for our gym! Our members say it best when they chat up and talk about the gym. We love our members and love when they spread the word on our gym and what we are all about. We also like to use local newspapers and magazines as well as social media (through Facebook and Instagram). Local festivals are also a great way to market our gym.
What were the biggest challenges when starting your business?
Trying to navigate a new field that we were not experts in, and to give ourselves the opportunity to learn through the process of operating.
What motivates you?
We want to contribute to a better world for our children, our community and for ourselves. Our business is a direct effort by us to do exactly that. The world can be, is, and will be a beautiful place - and this is our little drop in the bucket.
What is your biggest achievement?
We managed to reach profitability in our first year while also raising 4 children. All with a business that is fundamentally positive and community-enriching. We are unbelievably grateful for the support from our community and all surrounding communities.
What are your top three priorities?
Do something every day that our children can understand and see has value to our community. Providing a safe, inclusive and diverse space where children get to play and learn gymnastics skills, regardless of their skill level or goals. Reach a level of sustainability in the business so that we can maintain a work-life balance that works both for us as entrepreneurs as well as parents.
What is some advice you would give to young entrepreneurs?
Try not to be so driven by other people's opinions, or to simply guess what people want and try to make that. Markets and the whims of communities change over time, but if you have an idea that you truly believe in, stand behind, and work toward executing, you will always find a way to be successful. Do not fear your success, and do not allow anyone to make you feel bad about it.
What do you think makes a entrepreneur successful?
A willingness to be vulnerable, take risk, and avoid the trap of "perfection". It is more important to take steps forward, no matter how small or imperfect, than it is to wait until everything is "just right". Action bring results, and mistakes are learning opportunities that open doors you could have never imagined. And pay employees what they are worth.
What is success to you?
Waking up every day and being your own boss. Being able to be oneself unapologetically, and to live out those values at home, in business, and everywhere in between. Paying employees a wage that matches their value and that they can live on. And knowing that you are serving your community in a way that uplifts everyone, especially the next generation.