Did you know that the first cheerleading gym in Pennsylvania, Cheer Tyme, started out in back yards and rented spaces? Now, 16 years later, Cheer Tyme has expanded to three locations and has over 20 different teams. We got together with Kim Braasch, owner of Cheer Tyme, to hear about her journey and why she continually chooses GK cheer wear for her All Star athletes.
GK: You have been a loyal customer of GK for five years. What do you like best about GK Cheer?
CT: We love the cutting edge designs as well as the comfortable fabric used for our cheerleading apparel.
GK: Tell us about your relationship with GK.
CT: GK Cheer has continuously gone above and beyond to keep us a happy customer. Thanks to our proximity to the factory, we have been given the tour to see how the magic happens. It was amazing to see the processes involved going from the pattern department to the racks for the ready to ship cheerleading garments.
GK: What makes Cheer Tyme stand out from other gyms?
CT: As gym owners, Crasher and I have fostered many worldwide relationships within our industry and continue to participate on advisory boards and committees to try to better our industry. I believe Cheer Tyme athletes are a direct reflection of their coaches and owners and we strive to set the positive example for the kids to follow. We also strive to not only be the best, but to raise the bar in choreography and music. Every day we seek ways to better our program for our customers.
GK: Why do you have team names such as love, passion, and obsession? What other names are there and why?
CT: Our gyms have a philosophy of “Love” themed teams to promote goodwill and passion toward the sport of All Star Cheer. We want our customers to fall “in love” with our gyms and the rest of the world to love Cheer Tyme. It creates a positive environment for the athletes and their coaches. Our other teams include Desire, Intensity, Kiss, Crush, Nirvana, Embrace, Adore, Infinity, Heartbreakers, Cherish, Flirt, Heartbeats, Heartstoppers, Envy, Sweethearts, Secret, Cupids, Charm, Muscle, Knockouts, Devotion, Sweetie Pies, Blush, and our special needs team is called Inspiration. These terms of endearment create a family atmosphere in our gyms.
GK: Tell us about the growth and expansion you are experiencing and about your new location.
CT: We had opened up our Chantilly, VA location three years ago and have experienced great success. We recently bought Infinity All Stars in Fairfax, VA to add to our Northern Virginia expansion. The customers in the northern VA area have been a joy to work with and we see big things for the future of Cheer Tyme.
GK: We saw on your Facebook page that you are restarting the Inspiration team. What made you come to this decision?
CT: We never wanted to lose that team but since our coach who was certified in special education moved away, we needed to find a qualified replacement. We have since found such a person and we are moving forward with our team. The addition of special needs teams in our industry creates a humbling yet fulfilling experience for everyone who gets to either work with them or just gets to enjoy their performances.
GK: What are some of the benefits you have seen in having a special needs cheer team?
CT: The athletes and coaches who work with the team learn so much about teamwork and humility. They create relationships with those less fortunate, and it gives them a thrill to partake in the daily success of each special needs athlete. Just yesterday one of our special needs athletes got to ring the bell (earned a new skill) in the gym! What an amazing accomplishment that was! Everyone feels like a winner who works with that team!
GK: Do you have any other comments or final remarks?
CT: We feel blessed to be able to provide an opportunity for children to learn to shine and become the future leaders of America. We feel we have surrounded ourselves with an amazing staff of talented and caring coaches to provide the best instruction possible to our athletes. Sixteen years ago we were practicing in people’s backyards and gymnastics studios. Today we are living our dream. We want others to feel the “Love” and “Obsession” that we have for the kids and for the sport we have all come to Love.
Congratulations, Kim on your continued success and thank you for always choosing GK cheerleading apparel for your All Star athletes. We look forward to continuing to outfit the Cheer Tyme All Stars in the most innovative designs in the industry!
GK Cheer. The Next Level.
Click the links below to see some of Cheer Tyme's All Star cheerleading uniforms by GK Cheer:
Cheer Tyme Is In Love with Custom GK Uniforms
Why Cheer Tyme Switched to GK
Custom Cheer Uniforms Captivate Cheer Tyme Love All Stars