We had the good fortune of connecting with Sevana Draayer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sevana, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?

I am not a life-long athlete nor do I possess particular business acumen, so “fitness studio owner” was probably not on anyone’s BINGO card for me. Letting go a of lot “shoulds” was the first step to finding my professional place in the world. What I “should” be doing vs. what brought me joy was the first one. Many discarded “shoulds” later, I arrived at a place far outside anything I’d ever done before and opened my first cycling studio.

Once it got going though (and – don’t get me wrong: it was tough!), I don’t think giving up was ever an option for me. I put all my chips into creating a unique fitness space back in 2018 with Ratio Cycling and it took on a life of its own. The momentum of my vision was thwarted over and over (As soon as we started gaining steam as a new business, we were forced to close our doors due to the pandemic. What followed was a series of mixed signals: one day we are supposed to reopen, the next the rules changed again. The only thing we could do was to innovate). The universe definitely tested my resolve but “stopping” was never an option.

If 2020 taught us anything it’s that we humans are a resilient species. Naturally, I questioned the “point of it all” a million times but every day was a new day to try something new. Not every idea was a winner but the problem-solving process and exploration of my own creativity was worth every failure. It was akin to an online graduate degree program with absentee professors: I had to chase the answers to questions I’d never imagined having to ask and found them in unusual places – mostly my own checkered job history. Turns out, I had been training my entire working-life.

My advice to anyone would be to lean into your innate sense of resourcefulness. We all have it; we just need to trust it.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

HYPE Fitness, was recently awarded the 2023 LA TIMES BEST FITNESS STUDIO. We are a neighborhood fitness mecca that completely rejects typical LA “gym culture”. With an emphasis on form, function and community, we are a body-neutral, no-ego studio offering indoor cycling classes, beat-based mat Pilates-style classes, circuit training, yoga and personal training.

HYPE was like a Phoenix that rose from the ashes following the closure of YAS in 2017 – a devastating blow to its’ client base. HYPE’s original founders developed the concept from sheer passion and a need to keep Silver Lake engaged in community and health and named it for Hyperion Avenue where it continues to stand. Their efforts were enormously successful and HYPE quickly became a neighborhood gem. I had the distinct pleasure of consulting with Adrienne, the owner, almost daily during the pandemic. As fellow studio owners, we were gripped by uncertainty and became one another’s lifeboat when the other feared sinking. It was challenging for our respective businesses but her humor, candor and experience was always useful and appreciated.

As we began emerging from the lockdown, the lease renewal for our respective businesses were coincidentally aligned. She and her family had relocated out of state and she determined it was time for someone else to step in as a captain. My partner and I naturally transitioned into HYPE ownership in June of 2022 and folded Ratio Cycling, our cycling studio into HYPE’s operations. The timing could not be more perfect.

Our first order of business was to move operations back indoors. HYPE had creatively set up shop in its adjacent parking lot and had been operating outdoors for two years. The equipment bore the brunt of elements and, since operations were outdoors, the studios and lobby had experienced some neglect. Our DIY ethos kicked in and within a few months we were able to unveil freshly painted and revamped interior spaces for the clientele to continue on their fitness journeys. It was a true labor of love but the feedback we received from staff and clients alike made it all worth the work.

The transition from managing a staff of five at Ratio Cycling to a staff of nearly 30 at HYPE was jarring to say the least. It was like going from a soap box derby to a Formula 1 racetrack overnight. We folded our Ratio staff and clients into the batter at HYPE and a Brady Bunch-style recipe was born. Some of HYPE’s “legacy staff members” (instructors that worked in the building even before HYPE was founded) such as Rick, Leah, Kate Gray, Bridget, Nicole and Alyssa, were integral in facilitating the transition. We couldn’t have done it without them. In fact, they are what makes HYPE so unique. Each coach brings their own flavor to our dynamic team and we couldn’t have asked to be a part of a better team. We are very lucky. 

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

It’s impossible to choose! From a hike up to the Griffith Observatory to a bite at any of the city’s mouth-watering night markets, it’s impossible to sit still in a place like this. Some of my favorite places to take visitors include Echo Park lake for a surprisingly tough workout on one of the swan-shaped pedal-boats, exploring Gabrielino trail by JPL or taking in a performance under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl. A fun low-key evening might be catching some up-and-coming (or truly famous!) comedy acts at The Elysian Theater or Dynasty Typewriter. It never gets boring!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I live in gratitude every day for my partner in life (and in business) who believed in my vision for Ratio back in 2018 and continued to believe in 2022 when we took over operations at HYPE. She’s been my fiercest critic and my loudest cheerleader – a winning combination when you need someone by your side who will always tell you the truth. I think what we have is rare and I count myself very lucky to have her support. Thank you, Zhenya!

Website: https://www.hypesilverlake.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypesilverlake/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hype-silverlake-los-angeles-3

Image Credits
Matthew Reamer

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