Daily Inspiration: Meet Meg Harris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Harris.

Hi Meg, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started at a very young age dancing, jazz, ballet, hip hop and tap. I was a part of the Dance Company for The Dancer’s Workshop in Marietta. In high school I was on the Dance Team for McEachern High School in Powder Springs. I was asked to choregraph a few of our routines and I enjoyed it so much. After high school I took a break from dance and went to Medix College to study Medical Office Administration. I graduated and began my long career. I eventually found out about Dance Fitness, I took a few classes and decided to get certified in Zumba. I taught Zumba in Villa Rica as well as in Carrollton in the evenings and weekends due to my full time job as a Practice Administrator. I worked in Healthcare nearly 30 years before I decided to open my own boutique group fitness studio, The Cultivation Station located in Carrollton, GA. Prior to doing so I got certified to lead classes in MAT Pilates and SHiNE Dance Fitness as well as a strength training class called UpLift. I opened our studio in March of 2023. I was able to attract people that would not normally set foot in a regular gym. It was a slow start and has since grown. In March of 2024 we gained our second location by partnering with another local gym, Sportsplex Health and Athletic Club, also located in Carrollton GA. I currently have 5 other instructors helping to lead classes. We offer Yoga, MAT Pilates, Strength Training, Chair fitness, Chair Yoga at The Cultivation Station and we offer MAT Pilates, Cardio/Stretch, and Dance Fitness at Sportsplex. We are partnered with Silver Sneakers, Renew Fit and Silver and Fit, and Active and Fit. We have drop in rates for both locations as well as a punch card pass for The Cultivation Station and we offer a premium membership package which gives you access to both locations as well as member perks.

The Cultivation Station also offers Massage Therapy from a licensed massage therapist as well as one on one classes and personal coaching in exercise and nutrition with a certified nutrition coach.

Sportsplex has a heated pool and saunas and a full gym that includes a weight lifting room, exercise machines, cardio machines, basketball and racket ball courts.

Becoming partners with another local, small business was a great decision with the understanding that supporting each other and other local small businesses is what it takes. We recently partnered with Dance Rhythms by Mikya and they teach Line Dance Classes at The Cultivation Station. (which is the latest craze)

We also go out into our community and do Dance Flash Mobs which has been so fun and a great way to engage with the community to show people who we are and what we do. This year we also got hired to host events being “party starters” where we make people feel comfortable about dancing and having a good time.

We enjoy helping people in a way that makes them feel comfortable about trying new things that are good for them and healthy. Plus we show them that you can have a good time while getting the exercise that you need.

So come check us out and see what we are about! We’d love to help you with your health and fitness goals.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’d love to say it’s been a smooth road, however this is a hard business to sell with so many franchise gyms that have recently moved in to Carrollton. The competition is out there. One thing that we can offer them at our locations is a more one on one personal feeling. We get to know everyone that steps through our doors and we end up creating more of a family type connection. I give my cell phone number out to all of our clients and keep in touch with them on a regular basis. Our instructors do the same. We build relationships here!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Cultivation Station, to me, is a place that welcomes creativity. We are unique in that this is more of a Boutique style studio with more one on one opportunities to ensure the client gets exactly what they are needing for their health and wellness journey. We do pop up events and fusion classes where we combine two types of fitness in a class. These have really been a hit. One of our instructors puts on events here like Sound Baths to help with your mental state. We are looking for people that need a place to share their craft with our community. This is the perfect, intimate place for it. And we love partnering with other local small businesses to help each other out. That is what it is all about!

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
All of our Instructors deserve credit for all of their support: Emily Bryson, Christina DeMaioribus, Anne Barnhart, Chesley Large, Audrea Parks, Jeremy Moore, Meredith Ellis
They continue to show up and help our clients, they also will take the other classes to help create energy and light in the room. They are awesome to work with. I couldn’t do it without them.

Also are local partners, Sportsplex, Dance Rhythms with Mikya, and The Crafty Rabbit. Huge supporters of what we do.

And lastly my family! My wonderful husband Rick who has been my life line during all of this. Leaving a stable career to take a chance on my dream has not been easy but he has kept me encouraged every step of the way. Also my son, Jalen who told me I should do this and my daughter Holly who supports me from afar in Florida. I also have a granddaughter and grandson that I am thankful for.

Thankful for my supportive friends as well, too many to name!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cultivationstationatl.com
• Instagram: @thecultviationstation_
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheCultivationStationATL
• Youtube: @TCSTeam-e5s