Helaine shares her compelling journey of founding CityRow, a boutique fitness company inspired by her own need for a low-impact yet intense workout.
From her childhood struggles with weight to her professional endeavors in publishing and tech startups, Helaine intricately narrates her path to building CityRow. She discusses the challenges faced, including a debilitating injury that led her to discover rowing and the obstacles in finding real estate and funding. Despite raising over $20 million and expanding the business, the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard, causing substantial financial strain.
Helaine opens up about the eventual decision to sell CityRow, the emotional turmoil of letting investors and team members down, and the relief of finding a suitable home for her concept. She also talks about her book, 'Making Waves,' which serves as a therapeutic recount of her entrepreneurial journey.
Helaine's story offers a raw and real look into the high stakes of starting and running a business, and her resilience through it all.
2:10 How an Injury Sparked Her Fitness Discovery
5:51 The Real Benefits of Rowing Workouts
7:24 The Journey to Finally Signing the Lease
10:28 How She Raised Over $20 Million
12:44 Expanding the Company Into Digital Fitness
14:25 Navigating Investor Concerns During COVID
18:41 Her Strategy for Customer Acquisition
20:22 The Challenges That Hit After Fundraising
22:30 How the M&A Process Started — and the Struggles
24:41 Finding and Approaching Potential Acquirers
27:54 Announcing the Acquisition by WaterRower
33:20 Writing Her Book as a Healing Journey
36:05 The Major Shift That Changed the Book’s Ending
