Local couple launches three home-based businesses

Despite juggling the busy schedules of their five children, Stephanie and Steve Cohen managed to throw another ball up in air — well actually three. Last month, the couple opened three home-based businesses simultaneously.

Steve has always enjoyed working one-on-one with clients interested in personal training as part of Family Fitness CT, and he’s also sharing his musical expertise through Sun Path Studios. Meanwhile, Stephanie is at the helm of YogaClassCT, teaching private and group classes in yoga and overall relaxation techniques for children and adults.

“I came to the decision that I wanted to do something I loved,” Steve said. “I want to set a living example for my kids and show them that it's never too late to do what you want to do.”

The Cohens' children's ages range from 5 to 13.

Through the family’s new businesses Steve hopes to incorporate business models his children could weave into their every day lives. For example, he said he would like his children to understand that “when you make a commitment to do something, you stick to it.”

Steve applied this attitude to a marketing business he launched four years ago. Again, motivated by a desire to advance his career and do what he loved, he left a corporate job to open e-Reach Media. Using marketers and advertising connections, he gave into his entrepreneurial spirit and launched the online company.

“He’s a risk taker,” Stephanie said. “He is always thinking, ‘How can I make this happen?’”

When confronted by a problem — such as the faltering economy — Steve said he attacks it head-on.

He said that when the recession hit, he “holed up in the office, working about 80 hours a week.” His efforts were rewarded as he was able to not only turn e-Reach Media around, but also acquire enough revenue to support he and Stephanie’s new ventures.

Going into fitness

“I always knew I wanted to do something with fitness,” Steve explained. In 2008, he spent six months studying in his spare time for certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. The challenging curriculum includes learning about every muscle in the human body, he said.

As part of the program, Steve was also required to do volunteer work, so he and Stephanie led fitness and yoga classes at Jockey Hollow's Health Fair last year. Stephanie also volunteered to provide 45 minute yoga and relaxation sessions for Janet Densky’s second grade class last year on the mornings they were scheduled for state testing.

“She really saw a big difference in the children,” Stephanie noted. “They were much more focused.”

Stephanie is hoping to have more opportunities to work with Monroe’s youth through her new business. “This is where my heart is,” she said. “I try to bring the fun of yoga to kids.”

Stephanie said practicing yoga has helped her to manage the every day stresses that accompany raising a large, active family.

“No one ever teaches you how to relax and just breathe deeply,” Stephanie said with a smile. “I find yoga to be an amazing tool for dealing with all of the stuff that we all have to go through each day, such as just getting the kids ready for school and on the bus. Also, flexibility is so important for our bodies because that’s where we get our overall stability from.”

After participating in PreNatal Yoga classes during her pregnancies, Stephanie received certification as a yoga instructor through YogaFit in 2008.

A passion for singing

Steve’s passion for singing began while he was growing up in Trumbull. While singing with all of the high school’s music ensembles, he was recognized as an All-State soloist. He also participated in choirs at Southern Connecticut State College.

“Music is my main love,” Steve said. His goal is to share his enthusiasm for singing with children, while teaching proper breathing techniques. “It's so important to learn how to sing correctly.”

Stephanie was also bit by the music bug. Eventually, she will work for Sun Path Studios as a piano instructor. “I used to compose songs, too,” she said.

Their goal is to expose children to the arts in a relaxed, but professional environment. Steve said, “Children love to sing. It gives them self confidence and helps to build their self esteem. I've put a program together that will give them the proper foundation. I'm ready to go.”

He is also accepting adult students. In fact, he has a local senior who would like to start taking singing classes.

For more information call Family Fitness CT, (203) 916-3416; Sun Path Studios (203) 482-7632 or YogaClassCT, (203) 218-8204.