by Tony Lawson
Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes has successfully translated her athletic legacy into a thriving business. Since launching the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy in Clarksburg, Maryland, in July 2020, she has added two more Maryland locations—Rockville in 2023 and Columbia in 2024—demonstrating a scalable operational model and setting the stage for the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics Academy’s expansion nationwide.
From Maryland Roots to Multi-Location Success
Despite opening during the pandemic, the academy quickly attracted strong demand thanks to its focus on safe, positive, and values-driven athletic programs. Dawes’ reputation and hands-on leadership helped build early credibility and trust among families, laying the foundation for growth beyond her home state.
Scaling in a High-Demand Market
With U.S. families spending an estimated $30–40 billion annually on youth sports, Dawes has positioned her business to capture part of that growing market by offering both recreational and skill-building programs in a welcoming, family-oriented environment. Her academy stands out in the youth sports business space by blending elite-level training with an emphasis on fun, confidence, and inclusion.
National Expansion Plans
Dawes is now preparing to launch the next phase of her business growth. Two new facilities—in Ashburn, Virginia, and Silver Spring, Maryland—are set to open by the end of 2025. These will be the first in a five-year plan to expand to 50 locations nationwide, targeting key growth markets such as Atlanta, the Carolinas, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, and Philadelphia.
While Dawes has not publicly discussed franchising or outside investment, her 50-location growth plan shares similarities with expansion strategies often used by youth sports franchises and private equity–backed companies.
The sector has seen a surge in investor interest in recent years, with established brands like i9 Sports and The Little Gym attracting capital to scale nationwide. If her academy continues its current trajectory, it could appeal to franchise partners or strategic investors in the future.
“It’s where kids can learn the sport of gymnastics in a positive, supportive environment. Kids are working hard. We always talk about ‘sweaty and smiling,’ because they’re working hard but they’re also having fun as well,” Dawes told the Business Journal.
By combining a proven business model with her Olympic legacy and hands-on leadership, Dawes is building a brand with the potential to grow well beyond its Maryland roots—balancing expansion with a mission-driven approach to youth sports.
