“”Play” isn’t just for kids—it’s vital for adults too, especially in our sedentary, screen-focused lives.”
Having a playful spirit, Cher Albrecht of Aerial Sports always dreamed of creating an adult playground. Cher performed professionally as a singer, dancer, acrobat and stunt woman for 15 years in California, where her love of trapeze and all things acrobatic started. She has studied aerial acrobatics with top aerialists from around the world, including with several Cirque Du Soleil performers.
Cher found herself in Canberra and decided to put all her awesomeness into creating Aerial Sports, where she helps women of all ages improve their body, mind and spirit through physical activities, provides a supportive community for growth and acceptance, and encourages interconnected wellness.
Cher says about her business “”Play” isn’t just for kids—it’s vital for adults too, especially in our sedentary, screen-focused lives. While we may run or hit the gym, we often miss the joy and exploration that come with play. That’s why we’ve created a playground for all ages, offering a nurturing space to move, connect, and have fun while staying fit.”
Cher joined the HerBusiness Network early last year, and says “Having been diagnosed with ADHD, I can be a bit scatterbrained, and I have found that HerBusiness and my Growth Group help me stay on track and focused on a goal. When I am focused on a particular goal, it makes tasks easier for myself to do or to delegate.”
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
I have two, Colette Baron-Reid and Natalie Southgate. They have both pursued their passions and built businesses around them, choosing to break free from societal norms. They both found avenues to funnel their strengths, believed in their gifts and created opportunities to share them with the world.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I’ve always wanted an adult playground. I used to draw pictures of what my warehouse would look like. I have always been active and have taught movement modalities including yoga, dance and aerobics. When I moved to Australia, there was an aerial acrobatics studio very close to my house. I went there for 2 years until it closed. My friends and I would scheme about where and how we would open a studio. In 2015, my partner at the time was looking at renting a warehouse space for our joint business, and found a perfect spot for aerial acrobatics. I had mostly been performing at the time, but decided to give teaching a try, since I was already doing it for my friends. I also wanted to create a fun atmosphere that made people want to move their bodies. I started out teaching only adult classes, but it was soon apparent that kids classes were the most popular.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
I get to share my passion with others and do what I love. I get to set my schedule and suit it to my needs. I also like creating procedures and curriculums, and teaching others how to teach.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- How to make a budget and have both a revenue goal and a profit goal.
- How to make a marketing plan.
- Setting and achieving goals.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
- Research the market. See what other people are doing and charging. Know who your competitors are, and if what you’re wanting to do is feasible.
- Create something because it genuinely inspires you and fills your heart, not because you feel obligated or someone else said you should.
- Know that it can take a few years for your business to take off. If it’s truly something you want to do, stick with it. It may be cruisey sometimes and at other times be stressful and feel like a struggle. Enjoy all of it, the ups and the downs.
- Hire people who have strengths where you’re lacking. Also, assign the tasks you don’t like doing to other people who like doing it, or do it better than you do.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
- Managing people (if you plan to have staff)
- Managing stress
- Understanding budgets
- Learn how to create and write procedures
- Be on top of Australian Standards for your market
- Learn the basics of marketing
- Have a clear idea of your product and target market
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
I would love to encompass wellbeing, and create a comprehensive approach to health for the mind, body and spirit. I have found that teaching solely the physical aspect is good and needed, but I find more and more students mention their mental health and do not have an avenue or support in that area to improve. I would love to create a more holistic approach combining mental, physical and emotional health. I would like my business to grow into a wellness centre offering a variety of classes, workshops and retreats.
I have started to move in this direction and am currently upgrading my website to include more wellness information and options.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Having been diagnosed with ADHD, I can be a bit scatterbrained, and I have found that HerBusiness and my growth group help me stay on track and focused on a goal. When I am focused on a particular goal, it makes tasks both easier for myself to do, or to delegate.
I have also been running our 2 businesses with my now ex, and was looking for support as we separate the businesses and I start to run mine solely on my own.
Learn more about Cher and Aerial Sports.
