As some of you know, I’ve “taken up” exercise over the last 2 years (and lost 40 pounds!). So I loved getting to know Danielle, and though I love her idea and how it’s helping people be proactive about their exercise, what I love the most is Danielle’s mind that told her “Hey, something needs to change here,” and then SHE did it. I love how good ideas turn into great companies.
Name: Danielle Tousignant
Location: New York
Education: Bachelors of Communications
Professional Background: I have a background in sales and fashion merchandising. I spent the last 3 years in account management and outside sales.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: Movie star!
What you are: Fun loving, outgoing, and competitive.
Brief Summary of your Start Up: What OpenTable is to restaurants, WorkoutSpots is to the fitness and exercise industry. WorkoutSpots allows you to search your community for places to workout, register for classes online, and connect to the people you workout with. It is a great social experience for the business and the user, and it’s free. We are industry specific and have spread countrywide, and that is what makes WorkoutSpots unique!
Where you are located: New York City
Company Website? WorkoutSpots.com
What inspired you? I am a member of a big name gym in NYC and my favorite Saturday morning Zumba class required that I call to register my “spot” 24 hours in advance, and every time I would call it would be full….I would get extremely frustrated at the fact that this well known gym did not have some sort of interactive online class registration platform in place and would rely on handing out printed copies of their class schedule to communicate it to their members. Out of this frustration came the idea for WorkoutSpots. Adding a social layer to the site was obvious for us.
How long have you been in business? We began in March 2012
How did you fund it? Currently self-funded
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? My mother and grandmother are my mentors. They have always encouraged me to think differently. They are independent women and I think the world needs more of them!
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? No, but I enjoy volunteering and supporting organizations in the NYC like Fashion Delivers and Free Arts NYC.
Current Business Challenge? Getting older businesses on-board with new technology
What are you doing about it? Making software as easy and fun to use as possible
Favorite motivational quote: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James
Favorite book? Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
What do you do to relax? I grew up on the beach…I find myself back there in a beach chair reading a magazine surrounded by friends…
What are you most proud of? I am most proud of how WorkoutSpots has developed. It’s been really exciting seeing the idea come to fruition and all of the great feedback and support we have received from the organizations involved!
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Always speak your mind…if you have an idea – say it!…
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Pink Tourmaline…it’s my favorite stone.
