We Rock Richmond, LLC | Application Preview
We Rock Richmond, LLC is applying for government grants to support the launch of We Rock the Spectrum - A Gym for All Kids, a unique gym aimed at creating an inclusive environment for children of all ability levels. The funding will primarily go towards the first year of operation costs, including the buildout of the facility.
This gym focuses on providing a neurodivergent-centric sensory space, specifically designed to aid children with sensory processing disorders while benefiting all children. The philosophy is rooted in the belief that play fosters learning and development across diverse abilities.
The business has projected a steady 3% annual growth based on a completed ProForma, drawing from data of similar gyms in comparable markets. The founders have strong connections to the Autism community and the child development fields, which they expect will enhance growth through collaboration.
Funding approval is sought to fill a significant community need for a safe, structured environment where neurodivergent and neurotypical children can play together, promoting acceptance, tolerance, and inclusion. The gym aims to be the first of its kind in the Richmond area, as existing indoor play spaces are often overwhelming for children with sensory needs and lack staff trained to support neurodiverse patrons.
Statistics highlight the growing prevalence of autism and sensory processing issues, underscoring the demand for facilities that aid cognitive, social, and physical development for special needs children. We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym aims to create an understanding space where caregivers can feel secure while their children engage and develop crucial life skills.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 11440119
Location: Richmond, VA, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: $250k to $500k
Annual Gross Expense: $100k to $250k
Open to Loans: YES
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Funding Usage
We Rock Richmond, LLC has bought into a Franchise called We Rock the Spectrum - A Gym for All Kids (WRTS). We are seeking funding for costs associated with the first year of operations including location buildout. We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym is a Neurodivergent Centric Sensory Gym for all children and families and was founded to provide a place for children of all ability levels to play and grow together. As the only kid’s gym that offers an inclusive philosophy, we have found all children can benefit from our uniquely designed sensory equipment that is specifically designed to aid children with sensory processing disorders. However, in our experience, all children are able to benefit greatly from this equipment and by allowing children of all ability levels to play together they are able to learn a great deal from each other and become the best motivation for success on every level.
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Business Plan
With a completed ProForma based on actual figures from similar sized gyms in similar markets, we have a steady 3% annual growth projection. With personal and profession ties to the Autism community, Developmental Mental Health profession, and Childcare fields, networking and collaboration is expected to support and exceed this 3% annual growth figure. Our goal is to provide a much needed resource for children and their families; a place where children with disabilities and neuro-typical children can play and learn together in a truly integrated environment with an added bonus of teaching patience, tolerance, acceptance, and most importantly, Inclusion. We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gyms was founded to provide a safe place for children of all ability levels to “play with a purpose” while growing, developing and having fun. As the only kids’ gym that offers an inclusive philosophy we have found all children can benefit from our uniquely designed sensory equipment that is specifically designed to aid children with sensory processing disorders.
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Self Identified Competition
While there is no space that is providing the inclusive services that We Rock would provide, we do consider competitors to be indoor play spaces such as: SkyZone Romp n Roll Launch Richmond While the Greater Richmond, Va area has several awesome indoor play spaces, most are inaccessible to Neurodivergent individuals and those with sensory needs. The indoor play spaces are often loud, crowded and overstimulating and we have yet to be able to identify any whose staff have been trained in recognizing and safely supporting Neurodiverse patrons. Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder world wide , increasing at a rate of 10-17% each year. In 2021, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 44 children in the USA is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. This includes 1 in 27 boys and 1 in 116 girls. Thirty-one percent of children with ASD have an intellectual disability (intelligence quotient [IQ] <70), twenty-fine percent are in the borderline range (IQ 71–85), and forty four percent have IQ scores in the average to above average range (i.e., IQ >85) (autismspeaks.org). Additionally, statistics report that sensory processing issues affect around 1 in 20 to 1 in 6.25 children in the United States population. SPD is a neurological disorder in which individuals have difficulty receiving and perceiving sensory input through sights, sounds, touch, position and muscle control. Individuals can tastes, smells, movement and balance, body position and muscle control. Individuals can be affected by SPD alone, or in conjunction with other developmental disabilities. (www.spdfoundation.net) Also, ADHD affects about 4.1% American adults aged 18 years and older in a given year. The disorder affects 9.0% of American children aged 13 to 18 years. Boys are four times more at risk than girls. Studies show that the number of children being diagnosed with ADHD is increasing, but it is unclear why. (www.nimh.nih.gov) The general consensus is that children with special needs are in dire need of a public facility that will enhance cognitive, social and physical development while they learn, play and develop strategies that will help them self-regulate, organize and calm their sensory systems. There is a vital need for a safe, structured environment outside of the school and clinical setting that allows children with special needs to socialize and explore. We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym is specifically designed to meet these exact needs. Additionally, the gym becomes a space where care givers and families know they are understood. There gym is built with their kids and their family in mind- from secured entrance/exit, to visual communication systems, to the sensory equipment, all the way down to having space for caregivers to sit and just breathe, knowing their loved one is in a place that truly sees, accepts, includes, and wants them to be there.
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Contact Applicant
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