We are seeking a Retail Manager or Assistant Manager (full-time or part-time) to work an in-person retail and e-commerce role at Fit Atelier! 

This role will work in our Southend Boutique, if full-time Wednesday  - Sunday; if part-time, Saturday and Sunday and other days as available. This person will be in charge of the Fit Atelier in-store shopping experience and help our internal team with projects for www.fitatelier.com and the boutique. 

This is a perfect role for someone who loves fashion, health and fitness, and is looking to grow with a start-up. 

Availability (can be all of the below or a combination):

• Wednesday - 11 AM - 5:30 PM
• Thursday - 11 AM - 5:30 PM 
• Friday 11 AM - 7 PM 
• Saturday - 11 AM - 5 PM
• Sunday - 11 AM - 5 PM 

Responsibilities: 

• Provide high-level customer service, hospitality and styling help to clients
• Ensure the sales floor is constantly re-stocked and merchandise is presented up to Fit Atelier’s standards including constant straightening of racks and hangers
• Maintain product knowledge for all Fit Atelier retail operations and class offerings
• Maintain Fit Atelier aesthetic, appearance, atmosphere and culture
• Provide support to the Fit Atelier instructors to ensure a successful class check-in process
• Spearhead cleanliness and organization in both the retail and studio aspects of Fit Atelier 

• Assist the Fit Atelier Team in daily store tasks and projects
• Upload new products to www.fitatelier.com
• Curate new collections for www.fitatelier.com
• Assist in buying for future collections based on historical data and forecasted trends 
• Organize upcoming shipments into linebooks 
• Assist in photo shoot management and styling for www.fitatelier.com and our social media 
• Make suggestions on content for website or social media based on current trends 

Qualifications:

• Retail experience preferred
• Must be able to work as a team
• Must be willing to initiate tasks and perform duties without direction
• Must be organized, committed and enthusiastic with a positive outlook
• Must have a friendly and professional phone and email etiquette

Compensation:

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Paid healthcare benefits (full time only)
• Free fitness classes (always!) and clothing (sometimes!) 
• A great employee retail discount

Instructions: Please email hey@fitatelier.com with your resume, relevant experience and why you’d like to work at Fit Atelier. Please also list your desired pay.

Now hiring: Senior Retail Ambassador

Availability: 15 - 20 hours a week  

We are seeking passionate, service-oriented, positive and hard-working individuals with a love for fashion, health and fitness. We are looking for organized, efficient, forward-thinking problem-solvers with exceptional interpersonal skills and attention to detail. 

Responsibilities:

• Provide high level customer service and hospitality to clients
• Assist the Fit Atelier Team in daily store tasks and projects
• Maintain a positive attitude and take initiative
• Style clients and help them find the perfect outfits. 
• Offer an exceptional level of customer service, rooted in strong product and brand knowledge; greet every client with a smile and willingness to help
• Inspire teammates to create and maintain a good energy shopping and fitness experience that keeps clients coming back for more.
• Exemplify enthusiastic, positive behavior and be willing to provide solutions to clients requests
• Demonstrate an understanding of all systems, policies and Fit Atelier standards
• Ensure the floor is constantly re-stocked and merchandise is presented up to Fit Atelier’s standards including constant straightening of racks and hangers. 
• If there is a class, provide support to the Fit Atelier instructors to ensure a successful class check-in process if there is a class
• Work as a cohesive team with all Fit Atelier staff members to ensure efficiency
• Assist with the training and coaching of new hires for the retail team
• Maintain product knowledge for all Fit Atelier retail operations and class offerings
• Maintain Fit Atelier aesthetic, appearance, atmosphere and culture
• Spearhead cleanliness and organization in both the retail and studio sides of Fit Atelier including taking out the trash, wiping down weights and equipment and sweeping of the floor

Qualifications:

• Must have customer service experience
• Must have the ability to prioritize and multi-task within a fast-paced environment
• Must be willing to initiate tasks and perform duties without direction
• Must have excellent communication skills and be able to work with a wide range of personalities
• Must have outstanding customer service and problem solving skills
• Must have a positive, can-do attitude
• Must have a friendly and professional phone and email etiquette
• Must have superior organizational skills

TO APPLY, EMAIL HEY@FITATELIER.COM WITH YOUR RESUME AND A NOTE ABOUT WHY YOU WANT TO WORK AT FIT ATELIER. 

You may know me by my Instagram handles (@ballerina_fit or @balletfittheory), but my real name is Sophie Folts-Mercure. I’m a husky and cat mom x3, “Breaking Bad” fan, fitness junkie, former ballerina, ice cream addict and the creator of Ballet Fit Theory at Fit Atelier. Chances are if you’ve been following Fit Atelier on Instagram or been in the new store (hey, South End!), you’ve seen me either hanging up on the wall or pushing clients to pulse it lower (lol, sorry not sorry). 

A native to Charlotte, I grew up dancing and doing musical theater. After a five-week program in NYC the summer before my senior year of high school, I was asked to stay on full scholarship at Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet’s year-round professional training program. The answer was an immediate ‘Yes’!

So, I came home to Charlotte for two weeks, packed up my room, said my goodbyes and flew back to New York (nervous, but so excited). Training and rehearsing by day, I finished my last year of high school online at night. Four-and-a-half years of hilarious roommates, strict Russian instructors that would make you cry but also make you stronger all in one day, eccentric (but brilliant!) artistic directors, four bruised toenails, an early high school graduation, one ACL replacement surgery, four months of rehab, my parents’ divorce, a strained hip flexor, a million jammed ankles, 100 physical therapist appointments and another ACL tear scare later… and I was feeling VERY burnt out physically and mentally. I made the tough choice to come home to Charlotte, in Spring 2015 and regroup.

As I was re-enrolling in college classes and trying to figure out my next move, I was offered a job as an instructor at Miller Street Dance Academy and Charlotte Ballet. Teaching dance is something that never occurred to me, but I am so grateful and happy it found me – almost five years ago this August. Fitness became my newest form of self-expression when I gave up performing. It not only kept me strong and healthy (preventing other knee issues), but movement was so ingrained in me from such a young age, it was the perfect – and needed – therapy.

Eventually, I found myself studying to get my Certified Personal Trainer title through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and it wasn’t long before I was teaching dance conditioning classes at Charlotte Ballet and training private clients. The endorphins moving and sweating give me feel like nothing else, and I love getting to share that for a living.

I first got involved with Fit Atelier by coming to West Kept Secret & SCLPT MTHD just over a year ago. And I’m so thankful for the community I found here. Not only is Fit A the place I met two of my closest friends, but it led me to creating Ballet Fit Theory. There is nothing better than walking in to teach BFT and seeing clients that have become regulars making friends with one another, twinning in their latest Fit Atelier sets or hyping up nervous newcomers! Hopefully you guys can see my love and passion for BFT and Fit Atelier when you come to class every week. 

These days, if I’m not at Fit Atelier leading your sweat, teaching at Charlotte Ballet orrr training private clients... you can bet money I am binge-watching “Sabrina” on Netflix, with a bowl of popcorn, three cats and an oversized husky surrounding me.

Fitness is pretty much my whole life these days but below are a few details (fitness aside) that make me, me!

Thanks for taking a minute to learn more about me and stay tuned for more fun fit tips from your girl and all the Fit A trainers!

xx Sophie 

FUN FACTS:

• I have four pets- three cats, one dog (Jack Sparrow, Rihanna, Margot Fonteyn, & Zeus my husky)
• I’m the youngest of five kids
• The scar on my stomach is from a surgery when I was born from a rare birth defect called an Omphalocele. When I was young and other kids would ask “Where’s your belly button?” (rude) I told them I was an alien and didn’t have one (why Soph, why?)
• The only time I ever do my hair (come on, I sweat for a living!) is if I have a photoshoot or a wedding to go to.
• May or may not sleep in Harry Potter boxers bc #HPfanforlyfe

We are seeking passionate, service-oriented, positive and hard-working individuals with a love for fashion, health and fitness to work part-time in the brand new Fit Atelier flagship. We are looking for organized, efficient, forward-thinking problem-solvers with exceptional interpersonal skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities:

• Provide high level customer service and hospitality to clients
• Assist the Fit Atelier Team in daily store and studio tasks and projects
• Maintain a positive attitude and take initiative
• Offer an exceptional level of customer service, rooted in strong product and brand knowledge; greet every client with a smile and willingness to help
• Inspire teammates to create and maintain a good energy shopping and fitness experience that keeps clients coming back for more.
• Exemplify enthusiastic, positive behavior and be willing to provide solutions to clients requests
• Demonstrate an understanding of all systems, policies and Fit Atelier standards
• Ensure the floor is constantly re-stocked and merchandise is presented up to Fit Atelier’s standards including constant straightening of racks and hangers.
• Provide support to the Fit Atelier instructors to ensure a successful class check-in process if there is a class
• Work as a cohesive team with all Fit Atelier staff members to ensure efficiency
• Assist with the training and coaching of new hires for the front desk and retail team
• Maintain product knowledge for all Fit Atelier retail operations and class offerings
• Maintain Fit Atelier aesthetic, appearance, atmosphere and culture
• Assist in maintaining cleanliness and organization in both the retail and studio sides of Fit Atelier including taking out the trash, wiping down weights and equipment and sweeping of the floor

Qualifications:

• Must have customer service experience
• Must have the ability to prioritize and multi-task within a fast-paced environment
• Must be willing to initiate tasks and perform duties without direction
• Must have excellent communication skills and be able to work with a wide range of personalities
• Must have outstanding customer service and problem solving skills
• Must have a positive, can-do attitude
• Must have a friendly and professional phone and email etiquette
• Must have superior organizational skills
• Must have the flexibility to work a non-traditional schedule - MUST HAVE WEEKEND, HOLIDAY AND SOME EARLY MORNING/MIDDAY/LATE EVENING WEEKDAY AVAILABILITY

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work in a fast paced environment
• Must be able to kneel, bend, reach, climb and stand for long durations of time
• Must be able to lift/carry a minimum of 20lbs

To apply, send your resume and why you want to work with us to hey@fitatelier.com.

Every fall when kids go back to school (or you go back to school!) and the air gets a little crisper is the perfect chance to revamp your morning routine for an easier smoother start to the day. We asked some of our favorite women to share their morning routines so that you can borrow some of their highly effective habits. 

What time do you get up? 

I get up at 4:30am sharp every morning to give myself an hour to wake up before working with clients. This way I am totally energized and ready to give my all! 

What's your breakfast routine?

I eat breakfast every morning! It is my favorite meal of the day. I typically eat 2 eggs, topped with tomatoes and avocado. I don’t drink coffee (I know, who am I!?) However, I always drink water with lemon to flush out toxins and fully hydrate me for the day.

How do you get ready? Favorite products? 

My morning skincare and makeup routine is pretty quick! I always wash my face with Biologique Recherche cleanser, followed by their P50 toner, their moisturizer, and sunscreen. Then it is on to mascara and undereye concealer, since the undereye bags can be pretty noticeable that early in the morning! I love my tarte shape tape concealer and tarte “maneater” mascara. They stay on all day long and I never have to touch up! I also live for dry shampoo in the morning. I spray Big Sexy volumizing dry shampoo and then tie my hair back in a pony tail or bun or toss on a hat to pull my morning look together.

What time do you get out the door?

I get out of the door at 5:30am to head over to the studio to begin working with clients.

Do you workout in the mornings?

I work from 5:30am-10:30am every morning, so my workout hour is at 11am every day. I always feel the most alive and energized at this hour and love to crush my personal workouts. I usually do a WKS interval-based workout at the studio or head outside for a cardio interval if weather permits. I also love to try other local workouts in Charlotte to vary my routine. Sometimes it just feels good to be pushed by someone else. ☺

Melanie Morton

What time do you get up?

Every day is different but usually between 6:45 and 8 am. I'm not a morning person so I only get up before 7 am if I really want to do a particular workout that day.

What do you typically do for breakfast?

I workout first then I usualy have a breakfast of avocado toast with an egg (because I'm basic!) and coffee.

How do you get ready? Favorite products? Again, I'm v basic so I wash my face with Ursa Major face wash, throw some Kristen Ess dry shampoo in my hair, and use tinted moisturizer for make up. Right now I'm loving one by Hourglass. 

What time do you get out the door?

Depends on what time I workout. Typically if I'm going to 7am spin, I leave at 6:45, if I'm going to Hilliard Studio Method, I'm out the door at 8am.

Do you workout in the mornings?

LOL Do I workout? Yes. Monday is my day off so I usually go for a run, take a Hilliard Studio Method Class, and go to Chakti Yoga. I like to fit in as many workouts I can that day. I'm currently training for a half marathon so my schedule is a little wacky.  Tuesdays and Thursdays I like to go hard with back to back workouts starting with 7am spin and 8:15 Hilliard Studio Method. SCLPT MTHD + WKS are in rotation throughout my week as well. I always try to save time for 1-2 new workouts each week to keep things interesting.

​What time do you get up?
I usually get up around 7am every morning (unless I have to teach at 6am)!

What is breakfast for you like?
I wake up and immediately need coffee. I also can’t live without my frother. I normally froth my fav almond milk from green brothers! After making my coffee, I normally meditate anywhere from 10-20 mins every morning.  I’ve noticed a huge shift in my day since starting to meditate when I wake up each day.  By the time I am done, I am normally ready for a smoothie.  

How do you typically get ready for the day?
Most mornings, I am either running out to a workout or to teach a class. I use Elizabeth & James Nirvana White dry shampoo , spritz Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt and run out the door.  My fav shampoo brand is Oribe and skincare line is Marie Veronique. I try to use all organic make up too.  It’s hard to choose, but RMS/Alima Pure/ILIA/Lily Lolo are my top contenders.

What time do you get out the door?
I get out the door between 8:30/9 and depending on the day, don’t get home until 9pm!

Do you workout in the mornings?
I have always been a big runner, so that is always my go to if I can’t fit a class in my day.  I run around 3 times a week, practice yoga 3 days a week and normally take a high intensity or mega former class two times a week.  

What time do you get up? 

6:15 a.m.

To say summer is my season would be an understatement. Having grown up in Southern California, the concept of seasons was completely foreign to me until I moved to Charlotte. Don’t get me wrong, I now fully appreciate the beauty of fall leaves, winter flurries and the first, brave bud that signals the start of spring. But still...summer to me is just pure magic: the warm sun on your skin, clear blue skies and long days spent in the water. Every day beckons you to get outside, be active and soak up everything it has to offer.

The biggest difference between the east and west coasts in the summer, though? That hot, sticky feeling that makes you scream, “Hello, humidity!” every time you walk out the door (or is that just me?). To sweat it out and still look chic when the air is as heavy as those weights at the end of a West Kept Secret class is an enviable talent. The best secret I’ve learned? Everyone is sweating, some just learn to look good doing it.

Whether you’re going to a class, a long training run or just strolling down the Light Rail Trail to brunch, we have you covered.

Mesh is Fresh

We all have our favorite pair of leggings but sometimes those 90 degree days just demand less fabric. Even better if it’s breezy and breathable - it’s all about that ventilation. From shorts to crops, mesh fabric will keep you looking and feeling cool

Olympia, Neo Shorts in White Mesh

Olympia’s Neo Short hits the waist just right with a relaxed fit that has the perfect amount of coverage. The mesh overlay will make anyone take a double take and the white/black contrast makes that hard-earned tan pop.

Alala, Cross Back Bra

Alala’s Cross Back Bra was made for the heat. It has a cute cut out in the back in addition to the front mesh overlay: a win, win.

Alala, Mesh Tank in Black

No matter the season, some just can’t give up on classic black. (We don’t blame you; black is everyone’s color). If you just can’t quit it, this Alala Mesh Tank in black is the perfect solution (it also comes in white if you’re feeling adventurous).

Color Outside the Lines

The trees are green and the flowers are in bloom so why not embrace the new seasonal palette? Light summer colors and patterns always look fresh. Might as well match your sunny attitude to your wardrobe.

From mint to teal, we’re loving all shades of green right now.

From left to right: Olympia Mateo Legging in Teal, Lilybod Frankie Legging & Livvy Bra in Deep Teal, L’urv Perfect Days ¾ Legging in Mint, L’urv Natural Forces Legging in Green.

Nothing like a little flower power to simultaneously stand out and fit in wherever you are. We love feminine patterns paired with edgy silhouettes.

Olympia Viv Tank in Flora

Moral of the story, Fit Babes, never let them see you sweat.  

xx

Maggie

We are so excited AF to share that we won the Best Fitspiration Shopping Superlative from Charlotte Agenda! We're totally grateful to their team, and all the babes who shop and sweat with us. Check out their City Notes for the DL on all the cool stuff happening around CLT. 

xo

Brit + Melanie 

• Find a spot to meditate that inspires you. I’ve noticed that in my meditation practice, I do best when it is outdoors, in the sun. 
• Actively practice meditation. During mediation, it is okay if you come in and out of the meditation, or to notice that your mind wanders, mine still does. But the more you practice, the more magnificent your meditation practice becomes.  All that matters, at the end of the day, is that you are sitting with yourself. 
• Find an app to help! I have two favorite meditation apps that I consistently use.  They are great for someone who is on the go or travels often. Simple Habit and Mindfulness are that I lean on the most. 

She also suggested I work on making space for gratitude. I struggle supremely with creating time to be grateful for what the combination of hard work and luck have afforded me. Abby says, "Gratitude is another practice that I incorporate in my daily routine to help with mindfulness. Every night, when I climb into bed, I like to write down, or reflect, on 3-5 things that I am grateful for that day.  It can really be anything. I don’t seek a result from it, but practicing gratitude on a daily basis feels good. In that moment, everything seems to make sense." I have consistently started doing this on Abby's suggestion. Bringing the "wins" of your day has kept me grounded and so positive.

Abby also shared that being mindful is REALLY hard when you’re super anxious. When you are looking to switch from anxious or stressed to a still mind, it can be too dramatic to just flip the switch. She says that if this is the case, deep belly breathing is the way to go. Deep, controlled breathing communicates to the body that everything is going to be OKAY. Abby explained, "this will slow the heart rate and promote feelings of calm. I always like to take a step outside, into the fresh air if I am starting to have trouble breathing, or having a long day and need to come back to being present."

Go forth! Be mindful! 

SIgn up for Abby's next class here.