When three strangers met for the first time at a trendy Clayton exercise facility, they had no idea that their collective sweat, blood and hard work would materialize in one of the newest and hottest exercise facilities in downtown St. Louis.
Lashell Blissit, Taliya King and Lisa Potts are the savvy girl-powered business team and owners of The Dollhouse Studios, a women’s fitness facility located at 1428 Washington Ave. that opened in September 2011. This is no sweaty, intimidating, meat-market gym. This fabulous fitness studio is adorned with posh decor and contagiously positive energy. From the lobby to the kitchen to the pole fitness studio – yes, the pole studio – you can learn how to reclaim your inner-sexy while getting fit and healthy.
The Dollhouse Studios was founded to help women achieve fitness goals in a comfortable and positive environment. These owner/instructors pride themselves on mixing exercise and nutrition with the latest in cardio-fitness and toning. The roster of classes includes various pole classes, Stiletto Striptease, Video Vixen and Black-light Zumba.
First-time, novice and professional-level women are all welcome to join in the classes at The Dollhouse. There is a registered nutritionist on staff to help determined Dolls develop a healthier diet and lifestyle. The staff boasts more than seven women with certifications in various fitness regimens and workout specialties.
The owners often host parties and special events to introduce would-be Dolls to the Dollhouse. The owners also believe in supporting fellow small-business owners and accordingly host frequent fairs and workshops to introduce their clients to the best products, fashions and services available in St. Louis. From a Sexy Super Bowl party to private birthday and bachelorette parties, The Dollhouse Studios has something for everyone.
Women of all ages can be seen working out at the Dollhouse Studios. Co-owner Lisa Potts says that was one of the motivating factors for opening a fitness studio. Potts wanted to create a place where all women would feel welcome and enjoy themselves.
Although most women enter with a little trepidation about their own pole potential, the instructors teach women how to connect to their own beauty, strength and power and new Dolls quickly lose their reservations and let the music and fun take over. In the pole room you can see sisters of all sizes and from all backgrounds trying their turn at a sexy spin. During the Video Vixen class, participants are encouraged to grab a feather boa, hat or some of the flirty props to spice up their workout and performance.
The founders and owners of the Dollhouse Studios are all smart, savvy businesswomen with degrees, careers and fitness certifications. Lashell Blissit is a certified pole instructor and one of the pioneers of the pole movement in the St. Louis area. Taliya King is also a certified pole instructor with a long dance and fitness background.
Potts is the spark that ignited King and Blissit. Potts said after working out with King and Blissit at the pole class, she asked Blissit if she ever thought about opening her own studio. When Blissit replied no, Potts went home and began creating and fine tuning a business plan.
King quickly bought in. Being an accomplished business woman and entrepreneur, she too jumped into high-gear, working out details and prospecting for locations. After a lot of hard work, prayer and execution, the ladies launched the Dollhouse Studios and their classes have been filling up ever since. Business has been propelled by word-of-mouth and the owners’ use of digital technology and social media.
Through their hard work, these three beautiful, passionate business women have started countless other women on their way to realizing or regaining their own dreams.
To find out more about the Dollhouse Studios, visit www.thedollhousestudios.com, or call 314-241-DOLL (3655).
