Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Lazaris.
Hi Shannon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a stay at home mom I was craving to socialize with other moms. I remember thinking I needed to find something like Gymboree Classes, I searched for it online, and then found Gymboree Play & Music of Rochester Hills.
My first thoughts upon my first class were how refreshing it was to find other likeminded people in the same phase of life as I was and how this business and location needed to be updated to appeal to the modern mom. It was only a few weeks later that I found out it was for sale…and my first day of ownership was November 1st 2015. I have spent the last 10 years working hard to make sure I kept evolving to make Gymboree the place to be. I have built and rebuilt my staff multiple times, remodeled twice, and just purchased all new play equipment this past spring of 2025.
I always try to remember how hard it was after becoming a mom to find yourself again and I love helping new moms find their tribe, somewhere they belong, and to feel comfortable.
This business is very far from where I started in life, but it has turned into my greatest accomplishment and keeps my sanity. There is no way anyone can be unhappy in the presence of giggling, playing toddlers.
Learning through play is vital in early childhood and it is so important for parents to be present and disconnect from the outside world for their child. Gymboree is something you don’t know you need until you have little ones of your own, then you realize the importance of it. I try to reiterate that every day in my site.
I have vast experience in customer service, I hold an active license as a Veterinary Technician and worked in practice collectively for over 10 years prior to becoming a mom. I can confidently say that every job I’ve had has prepped me for efficiency, organization, and the discipline needed to run my own business.
I am a daily advocate for kids with special needs due to my son being autistic.
I founded the Buddy Soccer League in my home city where I enlist volunteers to help special needs kids play soccer in a non-competitive environment.
The job I do everyday at Gymboree brings so much joy and excitement to not only myself, but so many families in the community. It never feels like work. That’s how I know I found what was meant for me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a challenge keeping Gymboree profitable due to staffing issues and especially post Covid.
The teacher position at Gymboree requires a certain personality to succeed. They need to be an extravert, dependable, and capable of leading a class of toddlers and their parents. It’s not an easy, mindless job that anyone can do. However, when the right teacher has been chosen, it makes all the difference.
In 2020, Gymboree was closed for 6 months due to COVID shutdown. Once we reopened, I had to start from scratch. Our age limitations are from newborn to 5 years old, so some families just simply aged out. I had 6 trained and experienced teachers before we were forced to close and none of them came back. I had to run the business and teach all classes for 2 solid years. In 2022, I hired my first post Covid employee part time. I realized at this point how much the work force had changed and the need for a higher salary along with less work was the theme. It’s been an uphill battle trying to keep employees since Covid.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
This is an individually owned branch of a worldwide franchise. We have parent interactive classes for kids under 5 years old incorporating indoor equipment inclusive to babies and toddlers.
At the Rochester Hills location, we also have Preschool Prep programs for 2-5 years old.
What’s next?
I have always planned to open a second or even third location. The need for this type of business is much needed in our community. Unfortunately, covid shutdown pushed that dream a little further away. I’m still very hopeful that it will come to fruition. In order for my attention to shift and only think about the next site opening, I need another version of myself to run the current location. It’s a constant struggle to get all the moving pieces into a firm position, but anything is possible.
Pricing:
- Memberships Per Child from $89-$219/month
- Birthday Party Packages from $299-$549
- Preschool Prep Programs $169-$219/month
- Theme Parties $35+/child
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gymboreeclasses.com
- Instagram: gymboreerochesterhillsmi
- Facebook: Gymboree Play & Music Rochester Hills
