Interest in Jazzercise grew rapidly, especially when Sheppard Missett moved the business to fitness mecca Southern California in 1971. The first instructors were trained in the 1970s and the business franchised in 1983. By 1984, Jazzercise was declared the “2nd fastest growing franchise” behind Domino’s Pizza.
Today, the company boasts 8,300 franchisees in 32 countries and earns roughly $100M per year. With 200,000 customers dancing and sweating to Jazzercise choreography each year, millions of lives have been touched during the company’s 50-year history.
Jazzercise will celebrate the golden anniversary with a 2-day international convention and party June 28-29, 2019 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA. Over 2,000 people will attend the event that will be filled with dance fitness classes, live entertainment, international guest performers, surprise announcements and big reveals about the brand’s future. Kicking off Friday night June 28th with an opening night gala, the weekend will also feature a specialty 50th anniversary merchandise & apparel shop, behind-the-scenes tours of the corporate offices in Carlsbad, CA, and an interactive museum that chronicles the many industry “firsts” Jazzercise has accomplished. “This will be a celebration like we’ve never seen before,” says 36-year teaching veteran and Senior Vice President of Licensing and Events, Kenny Harvey.
To celebrate her own 50 years of teaching and running a business, Sheppard Missett has written a book filled with the business lessons she’s learned along the way: "Building a Business with a Beat: Leadership Lessons from Jazzercise – an Empire Built on Passion, Purpose and Heart." As she tells it, the goal in sharing her experience is to “empower others to embrace their passion, trust their instincts and go for it!” The book is scheduled to publish June 14, 2019 by McGraw-Hill.
Given their proven grit, company earnings and global presence, Jazzercise, Inc. is poised to take on the next 50 years stronger than ever.