NICOLE LaBIER

April 9, 2008 12:15 am

DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS: We have a cheer and tumble program available at three locations in Northern Virginia. We have recreational cheer and tumble classes, competitive teams, open gyms, summer camps and birthday parties--all for the future and current cheerleader!

LOCATIONS: Stafford, Manassas and Ashburn.

NAMES OF OTHER CO-OWNERS: Demetrius Golden, Liz Mathewson and Jeff Mathewson.

HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN OPEN: Six years.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Gar-field High School. Majored in physical education and psychology at the University of South Carolina.

FAMILY: Fiance, Demetrius Golden, and son, Deshae. My parents live in Occoquan. Three brothers and three sisters live in Virginia and Colorado with their families.

CAREER HISTORY: Worked at Bounders Gymnastics and Capital Gymnastics in Virginia as well as High Flight Gymnastics in South Carolina before Cheer Dynasty.

FIRST JOB: Coaching at Bounders Gymnastics in Woodbridge when I was 15.

WORST JOB: Never had one.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Prince William County: Manassas and Woodbridge.

BACKGROUND IN CHEERLEADING AND GYMNASTICS: Did cheerleading, gymnastics and dance for many years. I cheered in middle and high school. I have been coaching gymnastics and cheerleading since I was 15!

HOW/WHEN DID YOU END UP OWNING CHEER DYNASTY? We got started back in 2002. The four owners decided to open our own gym for just cheerleading.

HOW DO THE CO-OWNERS KNOW EACH OTHER? Demetrius and I are engaged and have known each other since high school. Jeff and I went to Gar-Field High School together. Jeff and Liz met at George Mason University, where they both cheered.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS? Communication between owners and between owners and customers.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? Watching the kids grow up and seeing them progress year to year. All of our athletes are part of our families!

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? Watching the athletes get excited about learning new things.

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT THE BUSINESS CLIMATE HERE? The number of athletes who participate in cheerleading from 5 years old to high school in this area.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? Play with our German shepherds.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT? The size of our entire program, with more than 400 athletes involved in teams, classes and camps at three locations.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHERS TRYING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS? Make sure that you are ready for anything!

ON THE NET: Cheerdynasty.com

--As told to Bill Freehling