HOOLA MONSTERS, LLC
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA

Hoola Monsters, LLC’s humble beginnings included back yard hoop jams and hoop-making parties with friends. Before ‘performance’ was even a word in our vocabularies, we came together as a group of friends who shared a solid passion for the art of hoop dance. Now, almost 10 years later, we have grown leaps and bounds, adding new classes, new performers, and new products. In March of 2012, Hoola Monsters founder Abby Albaum launched , an ACE-Approved hoop dance curriculum and teacher training program. She now trains hoop dance instructors throughout the country. And while we may be growing, our mission remains the same… Mission Statement Our mission is to promote self-expression through the art of hoop dance. Hooping is a powerful life improvement practice that affects a person’s spirit, health and well-being while simultaneously bringing happiness into the heart & soul. While living in downtown Saint Petersburg, FL and working as a Marketing Manager for an amazing restaurant company, I was introduced to Kacey Douglas of . A friendship quickly ensued and I learned that she was traveling to music festivals, making and selling her hand-made hoops. She invited me over one afternoon for happy hour, and before I knew it, I was spinning a gigantic, hand-made hoop and laughing uncontrollably as it fell to the ground countless times. Needless to say, I was not a natural. I spent about an hour and a half dropping the hoop, while I watched Kacey twirl around the back yard, full of grace and beauty. She gifted me a hoop that day and a couple months later, she moved back to South Carolina. Even though Kacey was no longer there to teach me, the obsession had already begun. I spent countless hours exploring the archives of Hosting hoop jams with friends in my backyard became a weekly ritual, as did the drum circle on Treasure Island Beach, where I would practice every Sunday. I also found joy in making hoops for family and friends. Eventually, I began hosting demonstrations and selling my hoops at the I was aware that a co-worker of mine had experience making costumes and had a background as a performance artist in the circus, so we worked out a trade. I would make some hoops for her, in exchange for costumes. I then invited this co-worker, Jodie Urias, to one of my weekly hoop jams. After a couple months, she too, was hooked. We decided to go into business together and became close friends. We set up an online store, selling hoops and costumes. We also participated in community and charity events, to build our hoop dance performance resume. We both became licensed and certified hoop fitness instructors through the instructor. Les Mills is considered to be the the most prestigious group fitness company in the world, with 100,000+ instructors in more than 80 countries. “Molly and the Hoola Monsters Hooping came into Nina’s life in 2010 and since has been a wonderful mind, body, and spirit practice for her. It all started when she witnessed a graceful dancer moving the hula hoop from her ankles to her neck, all while performing tricks that Nina had never seen before. Immediately she bought her first hula hoop and proceeded to dance in the living room, alone and only around the waist. With time and dedicated practice, Nina transformed into a beautiful hoop dancer and performer. She became physically, mentally and spiritually stronger as a result. In her own words, “Hoop dancing brings me such bliss! As a musician has a natural talent of producing beautiful vibrations, a dancer moves his or her body to every note witnessed. Hoop dancing aided me in finding balance, becoming centered, and it helped me mold a positive outlook on life.” Salenna caught the hooping bug after helping Abby sell hoops one day for a class assignment. Abby gifted her a hoop that day and a few months later, she was a Hoola Monster. That summer, Salenna picked up her first fire hoop and has grown into a breath taking performance artist! To say she’s a quick learner would be an understatement. This girl is a natural! Her overall confidence has continued to grow since hooping entered her life. In Salenna’s own words, “I’ve made many wonderful friends through the troupe as well as the hoop community at large. I never thought hula hooping would be such a big part of my life. What I love most about hooping is that I get to push and challenge my body to move in new ways. Ever since I’ve become a member of the troupe, I have been performing at children’s birthday parties, workshops, markets, music festivals, and more – and loving every minute of it!” , along with his first mate and business partner, Pete. Captain Kevin (an experienced sailor who I believe is half Pirate and half Superhero) is also on board, to assist with the sail down. Jim has spent the last year and a half actively preparing for this journey and life change. Witnessing it unfold has been nothing short of amazing. Jim is one of the most carefree, happy, likable guys on the planet (I might be a little biased, but those who know him will back me up on this truth). Less than two years ago, he was doing what so many people do on a daily basis: Wake up. Dress for Corporate America. Spend the day in an office. Work like a mad man. Go home. Go to bed. Repeat. We both knew that there was something more… Something bigger and better waiting for him around the bend. Shortly after obtaining his Captain’s License, Jim reconnected with an old college buddy, Pete. The two talked about how great it would be to go into business together and sail the U.S.V.Is and B.V.I.s. Pete’s brother currently resides in St. John, and there were a few connections/ synchronycities that got their wheels turning. Jim researched boats non-stop and set his sights on a Catamaran. At the time, a Lagoon 440 seemed out of reach, but the seed had been planted. The boys cranked out a business plan and decided it was going to work – one way or another. But there were hurdles to overcome, and these hurdles were plentiful. Even still, Jim and Pete were “all in.” They were willing to risk it all to pursue their dream of creating a U.S.V.I based charter company.