Sometimes fate grants you a wonderful blessing. I had one of those fabulous fate moments when I met Cherie Behrens. I had just moved to Charlotte and was looking for a new social media client. I randomly stumbled upon Cherie, the owner of the popular children’s enrichment company, Launch Your Kid, and pretty much idolized her from the moment I sat down to talk shop. She is a driven businesswoman who somehow manages to put her family first while running marathons and giving back to the community. She’s a pint-sized bottle of fun to say the least! She has professionally and personally mastered the art of managing preschoolers in the last five years and I know her number is already on speed dial in my phone. Without further ado, meet the amazing Cherie Behrens.
Smarty Mom Stats:
Married to: Dave Behrens for 10 years
Children: Maddie (6) and Libby (4)
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Years in Charlotte: 11
Hood: Elizabeth
Alma Mater: Texas Christian University, TCU
Tell us about Launch Your Kid and how you wound up as the owner of a children’s enrichment company?
Launch Your Kid came about 5 or so years ago. I was the owner of a children’s fitness franchise in Charlotte teaching kids around Charlotte exercise classes. Then I started my own family and realized that not only was fitness important but balance was just as important. So I began creating a portfolio of programs for kids. Today the portfolios range from fitness to dance to yoga.
What do you believe the most important thing parent’s of preschoolers can do for their children?
Let them be kids. Preschoolers are FUN and I think everything about teaching them should be fun.
How do you juggle being a business owner AND a full-time Mom?
I juggle it with a lot of support (a big thank you to my manager, my babysitter and my hubby!). But it’s challenging. I really take it week by week; otherwise it would overwhelm me.
And of course, what about juggling a healthy marriage in there as well?
We have a regular Saturday morning long-run date. We chat the whole run about everything. It keeps us both sane and in tune with each other.
You have always been extremely fit (Smarties, she’s run 9 marathons, including the Boston Marathon)!
Tell us how you have found the discipline and managed to squeeze marathon running in in-between having children.
Exercise is my happy place. It’s really the one time when I’m alone (except my Saturday morning run with Dave). I try (sometimes not so successfully) to shut down my work brain and just enjoy it. I call it my stress-reliever. But it takes planning. I write my workouts down on my calendar like appointments.
As the Mom of two daughters, how do you teach them to have a healthy outlook about their bodies, health and fitness?
We try to talk about exercise and eating as ways to take care of our bodies and not at all about how it will make us look. I talk about about how it makes us feel. And I want exercise to be fun for them. I try not to talk negatively about any of it.
What is your favorite part about your job?
I love hearing about our students…how a child in our program loves our classes or sings one of our songs at home. I also love that we provide the introduction to dance or exercise for many kids. I hope that we could spark an interest for a lifetime of loving to move.
We noticed you have a lineup of standout coaches. How have you managed to find such wonderful employees?
I love my coaches. They really are the face of my business. But it’s a challenge to find good people. Luckily my coaches refer friends to us and we’ve been pretty lucky finding great people through Craigslist. And the longer I do this the better I get at reading my gut about people.
Lastly, a few things to help us get to know you!
Favorite vacation spot?
Kiawah Island, SC
Favorite restaurant in Charlotte?
Vivace, Fig Tree or Custom Shop (I can’t pick just one!)
If you could live in any other city besides Charlotte, where would it be?
San Francisco
Favorite clothing store?
Anthropologie
Favorite workout spot?
Outside or the Dowd YMCA
Favorite outing with your preschoolers?
Riding bikes on the Greenway
Favorite outing with your husband?
We just went to the Visualite for a show and it may be my new favorite.
I love reading CSP and am honored to be featured as a Smarty Mom. Thank you!
Cherie’s company, Launch Your Kid, is now offering open-enrollment classes. Click here to register!
