January 30, 2017

Meet Kim Steen Langan of Intown Tumbling in Poncey-Highland

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Steen Langan.

Kim, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Where I am today is never where I thought I’d be. Let me back up…growing up, I was a competitive gymnast at The Atlanta School of Gymnastics and loved the sport. I quit that level of competitive gymnastics when I was 15 and had to have knee surgery. I fell behind and felt I couldn’t catch back up. I ended up competing for my high school team my junior and senior year which was much less pressure and tons of fun. When I went off to college, I started teaching and coaching and did that off and on for over 15 years. Once something you are passionate about is in your blood, it is really hard to give it up.

Professionally, I have always been involved with something connected to children. I was a professional nanny for years and years, but felt there was something else calling me. As I was transitioning out of nannying, I took a part time nanny job with it known that I was looking for a full time gig elsewhere. At that time the goal was to either work in a non profit setting that hopefully served children or work in a school. Working part time, I felt I needed a little more incoming money. I thought about going back to gymnastics and had the thought “Hey, there is no gymnastics offered right here in town. Let me see what happens if I can find somewhere to have a few classes on a Saturday.” So, I put out some feelers on the neighborhood messageboard looking for space ideas. Several churches were mentioned and I was lucky enough to find a great space that I leased at Druid Hills Baptist Church at the corner of N. Highland and Ponce de Leon. I sent a simple email out to the neighborhood to let everyone know I was offering some tumbling/gymnastics classes on Saturday mornings. A few weeks later and with only a few mats, Intown Tumbling was born. The very first classes were held on September 11, 2010 and had 18 students spread out over 3 classes. The 2nd set of classes had a waiting list. Eight months later I had weekday classes and summer camps going. This was all great, but I was moving mats all over the church wherever there was room at the time. I needed something more permanent that I could make mine. The church let me renovate some old Sunday School rooms and my first tumbling/gymnastics studio was ready to go in the Fall of 2011. The program continued to grow. I was able to add birthday parties, parents’ night out, and also renovated another Sunday School room into the first children’s only yoga room/studio in Atlanta.

In the summer of 2013, I was informed that the church had sold the building that housed Intown Tumbling. The hunt was on. At that point, I knew it had to be more space. My little students were getting bigger and needed more room. I looked for months. I wanted something great. We ended up moving to a beautiful 2800 sq ft space not even 2 miles away. It was a huge and scary leap of faith for me and thankfully has been worth it.

In the first years of Intown Tumbling, I worked in a music school’s office, I taught swim lessons and I taught movement at Northside Methodist Preschool. In 2012 I was able to let go of all of the other jobs. Intown Tumbling (and yoga for kids) was a true business and I was making it in life on that alone. I never in my head or heart thought I’d ever be a business owner nor had aspirations to be one. It has been such an adventure following the path to see where it takes me. Without having any initial expectations, I am still delighted each and every time someone signs up for a class, a camp, or wants to celebrate a birthday with us.

We are now in year 6 and have been fortunate enough to teach hundreds of children.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For the most part, yes, it’s been a smooth ride. I have worked very very hard. I had to learn to run a business from the ground up. This includes all administrative aspects, figuring out scheduling for all of the different age groups, payroll, setting up a database, making and updating a website, keeping a social presence, keeping open communications with parents, hiring, training and supervising employees…etc.

A big challenge that I faced was right at the beginning. I first tried to have classes in the middle of the summer of 2010. I had one grandmother sign up her grandson. I had to let her know I had to cancel with a promise that I would try again in the Fall. Like I said, I never intended to own a business, and I definitely did not know what I was doing. I have since learned that it is never a good idea to start a children’s program in the middle of summer. I am just thankful that I didn’t give up right then and there.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Intown Tumbling (and yoga for kids) – what should we know?
Intown Tumbling (and yoga for kids) offers gymnastics, tumbling, and yoga programs for ages 2 and up. We also have holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, parents’ night out, host Acro Yoga (for adults), and special events.

We offer recreational gymnastics. We want to share the love of the sport with others without having the pressure of making a team. We welcome anyone of any ability. Our classes are active, engaging, fun, positive, and focus on the joy of learning the sport.

We have the only yoga studio for kids only in Atlanta. Our yoga teachers are trained to teach kids specifically.

We are most proud that the majority of our students come to us by word of mouth. That means a great deal to us.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband is my biggest cheerleader and is always supportive of my business decisions.

My teachers, our students, and their families have had major roles in our continued success. They inspire me to keep things fresh and evolving.

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