Q&A with Olivia Morgan from SkyCycle: Building Community By Curating Unique Experiences
Olivia Morgan is an up-and-coming force in the Charlotte boutique fitness scene. After years working as an instructor in many different gyms, she founded cycling studio SkyCycle in 2023.
A unique rooftop space that hosts both spin classes and community events, SkyCycle’s website says first-timers should prepare for “an unforgettable ride in an electric, inspiring setting that sparks motivation and connection.” And despite being such a unique concept with unique challenges, SkyCycle exceeded first-year projections with an impressive 22% growth. This led Olivia to build a concept for a second studio, Jungle, due to open later this year.
We spoke with Olivia about her journey opening SkyCycle and how she’s built a connected community using Mariana Tek’s unique app and engaging features. We also touch on her plans for a new fitness and wellness venture, Jungle.
Q: What led you to the fitness industry and eventually to entrepreneurship?
Olivia: I started out teaching over 25 classes a week at multiple gyms, but I was exhausted. I loved creating experiences for people, and I knew I needed my own space to create something truly unique. The right opportunity came at the right time, and SkyCycle was born.
Q: What was one of the most valuable lessons you learned from launching SkyCycle?
Olivia: At first, I tried to appeal to everyone, thinking I had to cater to every demographic. But I quickly realised that was a mistake. I had to stay true to my vision and create something I was passionate about. That authenticity is what’s going to attract the people truly resonate with your vision.
Q. How has Mariana Tek enabled you to deliver a truly unique customer experience at SkyCycle?
Olivia: First, it’s a very user-friendly platform. It makes my life easy and all my customers lives easy. At the same time, there are unique features that are necessary for cycling – like pick a spot. Customers are very particular about what bike they want, and it’s important we’re able to accommodate that.
“Our staff also relies on Mariana Tek features like tags and notes to customize their classes. Maybe one day they have a class full of newcomers, but the next day it’s a group of riders who have been with us for years. The instructor can tailor the class accordingly and really make sure everyone has a special experience. “
That extends to the front desk staff too – with Mariana Tek, they know if it’s someone’s first class or tenth. They can congratulate and motivate people as they check in. It’s all those little things that make a huge difference. People love to be noticed.
Q: What has your growth trajectory been like since your business started?
Olivia: Our growth increase from year one to two was 22%, and we are expecting to double that in year three. The growth definitely lead me to believe an indoor studio with less challenges and less of a niche market would be extremely successful. In my Jungle business plan, I took all the SkyCycle numbers and doubled them for my projections.
Q: How has the team at Mariana Tek supported you in your journey?
When I first started out, the team at Mariana Tek truly understood what I was going through as a new business owner. Things were volatile, as any new business is – and I really felt cared for and supported.
Years later, I still feel that way. I always get a response very quickly when I have a question. I’ve had experiences with other tech that I’ve had to jump through hoops to get a question answered. But with Mariana Tek, I can always reach someone quickly and directly.
I’m looking forward to using Mariana Tek to get Jungle up and running.
Q: SkyCycle has built such a loyal and engaged community. What steps did you take to make that happen?
Olivia: A big part of SkyCycle’s success is that I’m an operational owner. I’m here every day, connecting with people and creating relationships. I also love hosting community events and bringing in small businesses. People feel the care and dedication behind the business, and that’s what creates a strong, authentic community. It’s not just about fitness—it’s about making people feel seen, appreciated, and part of something bigger.
Q: What’s the inspiration behind your next venture, Jungle, and how is it different from SkyCycle?
“Jungle will be a space where people can truly experience life—not just a workout. The idea is to go beyond the physical and tap into emotions. It’s a place where people can explore their wild side, let go of stress, and just be themselves. Charlotte has a lot of gyms and franchises, but Jungle is about energy, fun, and living in the moment.”
Q: How do you plan to launch Jungle and engage with the community?
Olivia: The launch is going to be a big party! I want to bring in small local businesses, offer founding memberships, and create a really fun, exciting atmosphere. It’s important to me that everyone feels welcome, whether they’re longtime SkyCycle members or new faces. I would like to have big events at the SkyCycle rooftop to host both studio members.
Q: How do you plan to leverage your SkyCycle audience to grow Jungle?
“I plan to run SkyCycle and Jungle as ‘sister businesses’. Using the Mariana Tek platform, I’ll set it up so that membership to one means having benefits at another. Because of SkyCycle’s outdoor setup, I would like to give SkyCycle members an opportunity to have a 3-month membership to Jungle in the winter if they want their SkyCycle membership paused. “
Q: What advice would you give others in the fitness industry who want to take the leap into ownership?
Olivia: My biggest piece of advice is to value yourself over money. When I started, I didn’t have a huge budget, but I believed in myself and my vision. You can’t let financial challenges or fear of failure cloud your decision-making. If you stay true to yourself and your dreams, the rest will fall into place.
—-To learn more about SkyCycle, follow them on instagram or visit their website at www.sky-cycle.com. Jungle is slated to open in Spring of 2025 – stay updated on their website.
Next Steps: Elevate Your Fitness Studio
Inspired by Olivia’s story? Don’t miss your chance to elevate your own fitness studio to new heights. Book a demo today and discover how the right software can be the game-changer your studio needs to scale effectively and efficiently.
Article by Xplor Mariana Tek
First published: February 07 2025
Last updated: February 07 2025