“We were built by the community and have to give back to the community,” said Dotti.
The Journey of The Box Studio
The Box Studio began as a mobile studio concept when COVID-19 restricted indoor fitness options. The team converted a box truck into a mobile fitness unit, allowing outdoor workouts that prioritized safety and community connection. They started holding classes at various community locations, including the police department, hospital, Heritage Square and even Frances Short Pond.
“You have to love fitness to ride through wind, cold and heat,” said Winters, highlighting the challenges of running a seasonal mobile business.
Today, The Box Studio operates from their renovated spin studio in the Sunwest Bank Building, 121 E Birch Ave., designed in collaboration with local artists and contractors. The studio features a dynamic range of fitness classes, including cycling, strength training, yoga and kickboxing and provides personal training opportunities for their coaches and clients.
Business Retention and Expansion Incentive
Dotti, while living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but dreaming of moving to Flagstaff, discovered a unique opportunity through the city’s Economic Development office and one of his business partners. Inspired by a community project, Dotti spotted a shipping container and envisioned it as the foundation for a new business venture that would coalesce well with Winters’ involvement with big fitness. Motivated to bring his idea to life, he turned to the city website for information and reached out for guidance. Through persistent communication and a series of questions, Dotti received valuable support that helped them move forward. Now, he hopes to spread awareness about the resources and assistance available to others pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams.
Community-Focused Fitness
The Box Studio’s philosophy revolves around giving back. The team organizes fundraisers for causes like suicide awareness, the Trevor Project, food drives for the Family Food Center and clothing drives for Flagstaff Shelter Services. Monthly free workouts encourage newcomers to join.
“We were built by the community and have to give back to the community,” said Dotti.
The Box Studio also supports NAU’s fitness interns, helping them build business skills and earn national certifications. This initiative aligns with their goal to retain talent in Northern Arizona.
Challenges and Growth
Starting their business came with obstacles, including leasing hurdles and pivoting plans. Despite this, The Box Studio has grown significantly, expanding from outdoor classes of 10-12 participants to indoor sessions of up to 36. The business now employs five fitness instructors and plans to scale further, aiming for 200+ members.
Words of Wisdom
“If you’re in it for passion, the money will come,” advised Winters, quoting her former professor. “Flagstaff is about community and authenticity. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.”
Winters’ helpful and community-driven spirit shines through in everything she does. Her unwavering dedication to supporting others and fostering connections is a testament to her character. Whether she’s spearheading initiatives, lending a hand or simply sharing a kind word, Winters truly embodies what it means to uplift a community. The Box Studio continues to thrive as a hub for fitness and inclusivity, all while fostering a sense of family among its members as well as shaping Flagstaff’s fitness landscape.
2024 Innovate Waste Incentive Awardee Updates:
The Box Studio isn’t the only business thriving from a City of Flagstaff Incentive. Flagstaff’s three 2024 Innovate Waste Challenge awardees are also making remarkable progress in their respective sectors.
FireFlight: Over the past few months, FireFlight has achieved several key milestones, highlighting its growth and dedication to innovation. They have completed two business tracks at Northern Arizona’s Moonshot. In June, FireFlight was featured on ChooseFlagstaff.com, launched its marketing plan, and introduced AI courses through Coconino Community College Community Education.
August marked a significant milestone as FireFlight moved into the Moonshot Incubator and earned advanced certification as a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Wildfire Mitigation Specialist. In September, the company showcased its expertise with an AI presentation at Moonshot, gave drone demonstrations at their booth for the Flagstaff Festival of Science, and expanded outreach efforts. The launch of the Northern Arizona AI group at Moonshot underscores FireFlight’s commitment to fostering innovation. To date, the company has served seven clients and taught 19 students – potential future employees – demonstrating their impactful contributions to the community and their respective industry.
Snuffed Wildfire Technology Company: Snuffed Wildfire Tech, a team of 22 talented individuals from Northern Arizona, is making strides in wildfire detection technology to help reduce catastrophic wildfires. Partnering with NAU, the team is leveraging innovative lens technology that promises to surpass current detection capabilities. Snuffed is competing in the prestigious XPRIZE Wildfire competition with their satellite-based system and has already advanced to the second round, standing out as one of 20 teams from a global pool of 354 entrants.
The team is now focused on further developing their system while pursuing grant funding to cover the substantial $100 million implementation cost. With the next milestone for the competition set for April 2025, Snuffed aims to showcase its cutting-edge software and data collection capabilities, demonstrating their potential to revolutionize wildfire detection and prevention. The team remains optimistic about funding opportunities and the impact their technology could have on safeguarding communities and ecosystems.
FLOE SmartFans: Floe is revolutionizing residential and commercial climate control with its innovative, cost-effective SmartFan system. Using indoor and outdoor temperature sensors combined with AI-driven fans, Floe optimizes indoor temperatures by harnessing outdoor air at the most efficient times, minimizing energy consumption and reducing utility costs. This sustainable solution delivers comfort and affordability, making it an ideal choice for eco-conscious households.
In March 2024, Floe’s SmartFan earned the $150,000 grand prize in ASU’s Ten Across Clean Cooling Competition, sponsored by the ClimateWorks Foundation. The funding supports product design and prototyping, with $50,000 dedicated to Floe’s community partner, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona (HFHNA). The SmartFan will be installed in homes built during HFHNA’s inaugural construction sprint in the Timber Sky neighborhood. These funds are being utilized for scientific analysis of airflow in HFHNA starter homes, further enhancing the impact of this groundbreaking technology.
The Innovate Waste/Carbon Neutrality Challenge is undergoing an exciting transformation, rebranding as “Innovate Green” with applications available now. Visit chooseflagstaff.com for detailed information and application instructions. FBN
By Creag Znetko
Creag Znetko is the economic development administrator for the City of Flagstaff.
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