Balancing Business, Motherhood & Jiu-Jitsu: A Conversation With Renee Plyler of Elevated Studios
- Boryana Dimitrova
- Nov 25, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 1, 2025
Hello, amazing entrepreneurs! I’m Boryana—marketing professor, mom of three, advocate for all things health and wellness, and the founder of Black Sea Advanced Marketing Solutions. Welcome back to the Wellness Marketing 101 Podcast, where we keep things simple, actionable, and deeply aligned with your purpose as a business owner.
Today, I’m excited to share an inspiring conversation with Renee Plyler, co-owner of Elevated Studios, a jiu-jitsu school in Delaware that she runs alongside her husband Stephen. Renee is a business owner, homeschooling mom, passionate martial artist, and, let’s be honest, a TRUE rock star.
In our discussion, we dive into:
The unexpected path that led her from teaching to jiu-jitsu
What it’s like to run a family-owned business
Her journey into homeschooling
The biggest challenges she’s faced as an entrepreneur
How she reignited her business after hitting a growth ceiling
What helped her and her husband scale their studio after COVID
Falling in Love With Jiu-Jitsu—One Awkward Class at a Time
Renee didn’t grow up athletic. In fact, she says she was “an arts kid” who later became an elementary and special education teacher. When she met her husband Stephen who was already working in martial arts, she tried Krav Maga simply because it sounded useful.
Jiu-jitsu?She thought it looked weird.
But after learning her first one or two techniques, something clicked. The challenge, the strategy, and yes, even the intensity—all of it pulled her in.
She stuck with it, eventually becoming a black belt, which is a real big DEAL! Most students quit at blue belt, so the persistence alone speaks volumes.
From Teaching to Full-Time Entrepreneurship
Two years after opening Elevated Studios, Renee made a bold move: she left her full-time teaching job.
Why?
Because she saw entrepreneurship as a path with no ceiling.
In teaching, she knew exactly what she would earn at every stage of her career. In business, the potential felt limitless—and creatively fulfilling. She and her husband shared a passion for building something that reflected their values and vision.
Together, they realized:This wasn’t just Stephen’s business. It was theirs.
Running a Business With Your Spouse—What It Really Looks Like
While many people assume working with a spouse is difficult, Renee says it feels natural because they simply treat business decisions like life decisions.
Their personalities complement each other:
Stephen: laid back, gracious, kind
Renee: driven, organized, detail-oriented
This balance has helped them navigate growth, conflict, and the pressure of raising a family while running a business.
Why Renee Chose to Homeschool Her Kids
Homeschooling wasn’t on Renee’s radar at first. In fact, she admits her first reaction was:
“That’s weird.”
But working inside the school system changed her perspective. She saw firsthand how overwhelmed teachers were and how little autonomy kids were given.
A few things shifted her mindset:
1. Her experience as a teacher
She loved teaching but not the system. She didn’t want her kids in an environment where creativity and agency were restricted by structure.
2. Meeting well-spoken, confident homeschooled kids
Seeing young kids comfortably talk to adults—ask questions, express opinions, and engage with confidence, made her rethink everything.
3. Freedom and flexibility
As entrepreneurs, she and her husband valued autonomy. They wanted that same freedom for their children.
4. Time together
Renee wants to soak up the fleeting years of childhood, especially as her kids grow more independent each year.
Her philosophy now?
“We’re open to whatever they want. If one of them wants to go to school someday, we’ll support that. If not, that’s okay too.”
Hitting a Business Ceiling After COVID—and Breaking Through It
Like many fitness and martial arts businesses, Elevated Studios took a hit during COVID. Even after restrictions eased, the business plateaued. They were gaining as many students as they were losing.
But a few key decisions changed everything:
1. They realized their physical space was limiting growth
Their previous studio was too small, and amenities were outdated.
2. They invested in a significantly larger location
The new space nearly tripled their square footage and created a more welcoming, family-friendly environment.
3. They sought mentorship and community
Their billing company offered workshops and an annual business summit. Attending these events connected them with other successful studio owners—and completely reinvigorated their approach to business.
4. They stopped working in survival mode
As Renee came out of the newborn stage and her kids grew more independent, she finally had mental and emotional capacity to focus on the business again.
The shift in their mindset—and their environment—helped them scale faster than they imagined.
“A rising tide lifts all boats. When you see other studios doing amazing things, you want to rise too.”
Final Thoughts
Renee’s story is a powerful reminder that:
Entrepreneurship is a journey of constant evolution
Support systems—mentors, coaches, and peers—are essential
Family life and business life don’t have to compete
Growth often happens when you intentionally seek community
Success becomes possible when you stop surviving and start creating
Comments