Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Armstrong.
Hi Amanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
After growing up being a cheerleader for years and having my interested children, we tried several other organizations. Still, we found that when attached to football, the cheerleaders were getting the short end of the stick, and so many kids weren’t able to cheer or be competitive due to financial hardship in the current world were in. So after thinking long and hard about what we wanted and needed in our local area, among The Stars was born. It was a hard road to begin as I searched for funds, locations we could practice in, and how to start without any investors. After months of getting a business license, securing insurance, and finally, a location inside a new up-and-coming dance studio locally, we could open while fundraising to meet our monthly goals. We currently have 5 athletes in our scholarship program who cannot pay their tuition or competition fees. We offer to fundraise and cover their costs, as no child should be turned away due to a lack of financial ability. As a mom of 4 (3 who cheer), I understand the costs associated with siblings in sports, and I don’t want children not to be allowed to pursue their dreams or aspirations in cheerleading because of it.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No- funding has been a major issue for us. We aren’t able to secure as many sponsors as we are not a nonprofit due to being able to accept awards and winnings at competitions in the future. Finding a location was a struggle until we found a studio owner willing to go above and beyond to make our dream a reality, including her coaching one of our full-season teams.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Among The Stars Elite Cheer, Inc.?
We are one of the only elite cheer teams in the area that offers scholarships, affordable monthly pricing, and fundraising to all our athletes. We are in our first season and have 3 teams, which we are still registering for until the end of August. Our coaches are volunteers, and no one receives a paycheck like many other elite teams.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I found a group on Facebook for gym owners and team owners, and I typically bounce ideas off of them or ask what has worked for them. They also have paid courses you can take and monthly subscriptions.
Pricing:
- Our annual registration is $95
- Our monthly tuition is $85
- We offer team logo stickers for $1.50 each plus shipping
- And other team logo items as well for sale
Contact Info:
- Website: ATSELITECHEER.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/atselitecheer?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086897491973&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FAtsEliteCheer
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@amongthestarselitecheer
