9Round Owner Uplifts Others Through Her Gym
Empowering others to grow stronger physically and mentally is the core mission of everything we do at 9Round—for Women’s Small Business Month, we’re especially proud to recognize the strong women who are the driving force behind this mission.
9Round is a Champion for Women in Business
Each of our locations are locally and owned and operated by everyday people in your community, and we proud to say that nearly 50 percent of our franchise owners are women.
We know the importance of creating space where women are leaders, role models, and changemakers. Their leadership doesn’t just shape the success of their gyms—it inspires members to push harder, believe in themselves, and discover strength they didn’t know they had.
From building supportive communities to breaking barriers in business ownership, these women prove that empowerment starts with showing up and continues with lifting others along the way.
9Round Owner Uplifts Others Through Her Gym
Kari Carlson, owner of 9Round Bettendorf, IA, fell in love with 9Round’s kickboxing workouts during her very first session. In that moment, she told herself she wanted to own a 9Round gym one day—and today, that dream is her reality.
After a few months of working out consistently at her local studio, she became a part-time trainer. A month later, the owner asked her to help open and operate a second location. The more she learned about 9Round, the more confident she was in her goal of becoming an owner.
Finally, in 2018, Carlson was presented with the opportunity to purchase the very gym where her 9Round journey had begun—everything was coming full circle.
She says for her, it always comes back to the people. Getting to see her members leave lighter and stronger after coming in with their own stresses or struggles is why she loves being a fitness studio owner. There’s nothing better than hearing members say their workout was the best part of their day or that it’s helped change their lives.
Carlson says she doesn’t dwell on barriers in business; instead, she focuses on proving herself through action. In the fitness industry, some might assume that strength and leadership are traits reserved for men—but nothing could be further from the truth.
Every day, she shows up to her gym with consistency, discipline, and results, letting her work speak louder than any stereotype ever could.
Carlson says she is most proud of the community she’s built at her gym and for creating a place where people feel supported, encouraged, and genuinely stronger inside and out. Seeing lives transform before her very eyes because of the culture she created is one of the greatest achievements of her life.
But her impact goes beyond her gym—recently, her positive social media presence inspired a local radio show in her area to create the first-ever Beacon of Positivity Award, and Carlson was honored to be the award’s first recipient.
She says, “This award recognizes how I inspire not just my members, but the whole community through uplifting energy. I am thrilled to bring that same positivity into everything I do at 9Round!”
Carlson strongly believes in personal transformation, and for anyone looking to level up in business or in life, she says, “Transform yourself first, and others will follow.”
9Round’s Fitness Franchise Opportunity for Women
We believe in the transformative power of fitness—especially for women who want to feel stronger both inside and out. By opening your own 9Round studio in your community, you can join our mission of empowering others through kickboxing fitness. Not only will you lead your gym, but you’ll also make a meaningful, lasting impact on the lives of the people around you.
If you’re curious to learn more about fitness franchising through 9Round, we’d love to get to know you and share more about becoming a studio owner today. You can share your information with us and someone will reach out to help you take the next step in your ownership journey.
