Dylan Schenk, CEO and co-founder of LIFT Society, LA’s only aesthetic lifting gym where she uses her role to advocate for female entrepreneurs, body positivity and mamas who do it all. Learn about Dylan Schenk…
Hometown: Middle of Nowhere, Upstate NY
First job: I was 16 and living in Los Angeles when I got my first job working the front desk at a Pilates studio. This ended up being an entry point into my fitness career!
Favorite ways to spend your free time in CA: Well, lately my favorite way to spend free time is in my living room (thank you, Los Angeles lockdowns)! But generally, brunch, nightlife in West Hollywood and time with my family takes up most of my free time.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: My biggest accomplishment is a combination of many things. I’ve never taken the traditional route; from education to employment, relationships or family. I graduated high school early, skipped college and jumped right into fitness. At 32 years old, I’ve been married for 10 years, I have two children and two successful lifting gyms (and now an online platform!) in Los Angeles. But above all, I would consider myself to be happy and fulfilled with my life, and that is my biggest accomplishment.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Being an entrepreneur and a full-time parent is a constant obstacle which requires an insane amount of work! So finding a schedule and balance in both will be a true overcoming! I’ll have to keep you posted on this one…
Someone who inspires you and why: Other moms who are CEOs inspire me. Both Kathy Ireland and Sara Blakely have three-plus children, happy marriages and successful corporations…major goals!
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Just because you’re good at working out or training clients, doesn’t necessarily mean you have the skills to run a business. For anyone interested in opening their own gym, studio or training facility, I would advise them to invest in sales training or get a mentor in their space (or start at an entry-level position and work your way up like I did). To successfully own a gym you need to have excellent trainers (as well as the ability to develop them), systems of operating, a proven sales process and some general marketing knowledge. From there you need to be able to multitask, communicate effectively and have a larger vision for your staff and company to keep everyone engaged and part of the process. And last but not least, you need to have a product that differentiates you from this highly oversaturated fitness market.
Favorite quote: “He who has a why can bear almost any how.” –Nietzsche
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: My husband and I got engaged within three months and married within 10 months of dating!
What makes someone fabulous: Being yourself, unapologetically.