Today we’d like to introduce you to Dayana Dorman
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I moved to the United States, from my native country, Venezuela, a bit over 17 years ago. I had to leave home since our political situation was quite difficult. Once here, I quickly learned that in order to have the lifestyle I wanted in this country I needed to learn to speak English, and save as much money as I could. So, I worked as a server in 3 different restaurants, and since I couldn’t afford to go to school, in order to learn to speak English I enrolled in the local library, read books with a dictionary so I could translate what I didn’t understand, and watched a ton of tv. Best way to learn if you ask me 🙂 Being a server was not my calling, and it was probably the most difficult job I ever had, which forced me to look for a different job to earn an income that didn’t require perfect English. I started teaching business Spanish to different companies in downtown Tampa, and thankfully that paid way better than my previous serving jobs (mostly because I didn’t make much in tips due to my poor skills). Once my English was better, I took a job as a receptionist in a small financial firm, and after 3 months there I decided to become a financial advisor. I became licensed and that went on to become my career for the following 15 years. Fitness has always been my true passion though, and it wasn’t until 2020 that I finally decided to transition once again, into a new career path, this time opening a CycleBar studio, where I could still continue to help the community and make a difference in their lives, but in a different way. I opened CycleBar Brandon in January, 2021 and as scary as it is to be a business owner in today’s environment, I have never been one to shy away from a challenge! I also earned my pro card as a bikini athlete in the WBFF federation this past year (2020), which was one of my long-time dreams.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road by all means. I had to learn a whole new culture and a new language. I had to push my fears aside, as I came here by myself, and had to make it work. Going back was never an option in my mind. Once we train our brain to understand there is no going back, opportunities start appearing right in front of us. Being a Venezuelan female financial advisor with an accent in a male dominated industry was challenging, but also rewarding, as it taught me to be assertive and stand up for myself and my clients, which prepared me to face the hurdles of opening a brand new cycling studio in the midst of COVID, such as having to market in a completely different way since the community was still afraid and concerned for the unknown. Owning a business, running a business, and being financially responsible for my staff required a lot of research, having the right key players in place (aka my amazing general manager, Kristin, and my husband Jon) and tons of blind faith and work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about CycleBar Brandon?
CycleBar Brandon is an indoor premier cycling studio, but we are more than just a ride. The music moves you. The instructors motivate you to bring your best self. The stats guide you to achieve more than you knew you could. The bike becomes a part of you. This is a journey measured in sweat, championed by community, and fueled by the desire to get more out of life. We offer 6 different type of classes: – Classic – a rocking mix of strength, endurance, challenges, hills and drills – Performance – Group challenges, CycleStats technologies and rider competitions – Connect – Our studio transforms into a sanctuary by turning off the monitors and tuning into the beats – Cyclegives – An exciting ride for companies, groups and families to help raise proceeds that benefit a cause – Empower – We empower you, so you tap on your strength, your power and mindset during this athletic ride – Xpres – an interval packed, rhythm-based ride keeps you working hard for 30 minutes straight (including cool down) We are offering 3 type of memberships during our grand opening month: Unlimited, 8 classes a month and 4 classes a month! Our membership includes your cycling shoes rental!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Consistency trumps talent. Always.
Contact Info:
- Email: brandon@cyclebar.com
- Website: www.cyclebar.com/location/brandon
- Instagram: @cyclebarbrandon
- Facebook: CYCLEBAR (Brandon)
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