Chain Reaction Season 7  winner Kanisha Rounsaville knew exactly what she planned to do with her prize money – find and open a bigger gym. Nearly two years later, the new Balance Cheer + Gymnastics facility is open.

Kanisha says the space (4877 Galaxy Parkway, Suite N, Warrensville Heights) is around four times the size of her original studio at 7,500-plus square feet. It is centrally located near the highway, and, most importantly, it allows for a long waitlist of gymnasts to enjoy classes and a new competitive gym program to start next fall.

“That can lead to high school gymnastics, the Olympics, college scholarships, there is so much more we can do now,” Kanisha says.

As a former USAG competitive gymnast, Kent State University cheerleader and collegiate club gymnast, Kanisha knows what it takes to compete at the highest level and how it feels to seem overlooked in such a high-stakes sport. She says her business bridges a gap for young, Black girls hoping to find a future in gymnastics.

Chain Reaction judges Cheryl Perez, COSE Chair and COSE Executive Director Megan Kim say Kanisha’s passion won them over in choosing her as the top prize winner for Chain Reaction, awarding her business $40,000. With that money, Kanisha not only invested in a new space, but also upgraded equipment for the young girls.

“I have no debts, which is great, and that was a big thing for me,” Kanisha says. “Being a first-generation entrepreneur, a first-time mom, there are sacrifices we all make to be successful. On heavy days, I have to think about my why, and that’s [the girls],” Kanisha says.

Balance Cheer + Gymnastics has already grown from 100 to 150 girls in just the first two weeks of being open in the new space, and a new waitlist has already formed. To learn more, visit their website. To learn more about Cleveland Chain Reaction, click here.