MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BRANDS
Zooga Yoga offers a proven business model and a system that works. In addition, Zooga is the only franchise in the kids yoga market, making this one of the few opportunities to be the first in the market.
Where fitness meets fun! By Christina Huang
an executive producer in film and television program for kids and family. The name Zooga for more than 15 years with an emphasis on was created by blending together “zoo” and ooga Yoga is the brainchild of Antonia youth content, including a variety of animated “yoga.” Many of yoga poses are animal names, KIng. It is the premier kids franchise feature films for Pixar, Disney, Fox, and Sony, especially when teaching yoga to kids! Today, I continue to run my Los Angelestoday in the US. It is the only yoga as well as writing, directing, and producing studio dedicated to babies, kids, teens, programming for MTV. -based studio, while working to expand However, my passion for the arts started Zooga Yoga across the US. Along with my expectant moms, parents, and families. It started out in the Los Angeles area and is well before that. I had a lifelong love of dance company-owned studio in Culver City, I curnow expanding nationwide. and performance. My background includes rently have two franchises in West Hollywood childhood ballet, contemporary dance, musi- and Redondo Beach. In my free time, I concals, and the occasional TV and print acting tinue to practice yoga, enjoy seeing movies Antonia, tell us about yourself and job. As an adult, I studied dance, Pilates and with my husband, having lunch with friends, how you came up with the Zooga yoga for more than 20 years with some of and playing sports mom to my three kids, idea. I am the founder and owner of Zooga Yoga, Los Angeles’ best yoga instructors, including Hudson, Mila, and Oliver. With my husband mother of three, wife, television and film Bryan Kest and Steven Earth. In addition, I am Chris, we are truly living our dream being producer, businesswoman, and entrepreneur. certified as a children’s yoga teacher. entrepreneurs, parents, and students of life, In 2012, I combined my love of children, always trying to learn and be better – the After graduating from the University of Southern California with a BA in Film/Television yoga and entertainment to create Zooga same philosophy that will continue to fuel (Magna Cum Laude), I enjoyed a career as Yoga, a unique brand of yoga studio and yoga my entrepreneurial success. Great teachers are at the heart of all success, both business and personal.
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How long did it take to get Zooga to the franchise market?
It took four years from inception to take Zooga to the franchise market. From the beginning, I was looking to expand our brand and create a nationwide company. My influences were successful producers in the entertainment industry. I was trained to see the big picture, and that is exactly what my mission with Zooga is. After opening the doors in 2012, I quickly learned the need for a kids’ yoga and a family center was a desired and appreciated commodity in our community. Within one year, the classes were packed. We were doing mobile units in schools all around Los Angeles 18 FRANCHISE CONNECT | SEP-OCT 2019
