Tammeca Rochester, founder and CEO of Harlem Cycle, has transformed her passion for fitness and community into a thriving business, making history as the creator of Harlem’s first and only indoor cycling studio.
Featured in theGrio’s “Black Made” series, Rochester shares her journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship, highlighting the inspiration behind Harlem Cycle and her commitment to creating a welcoming space for clients to achieve their fitness goals.
Rochester, who opened Harlem Cycle’s first location in 2016 and expanded to a second studio in 2022, reflects on the bold decision to leave her C-suite role in pursuit of a more fulfilling and flexible career.
“I always say to be an entrepreneur, to be a business owner, you gotta be slightly crazy, right? You have to bank on yourself,” Rochester told theGrio.
With her young son in mind, she took a leap of faith.
“I knew for me to be the best mom that I needed to be to him, I needed to make sure that I found something that would be a little bit more flexible, but something that I knew he would be proud of.”
Despite lacking a formal background in fitness, Rochester’s personal love for cycling inspired her entrepreneurial venture.
“Cycling is low impact, but it’s also super fun,” she said. Recognizing the accessibility of cycling, she saw it as an ideal workout that could unite people from diverse backgrounds. “We all grew up riding our bikes, and even if we didn’t, we can still definitely ride a stationary bike.”
Harlem Cycle’s focus extends beyond physical fitness. Rochester emphasizes the studio’s mission to foster a positive, community-centered environment.
“Imagine being in a dark room where everyone’s having a good time vibing to music, and everyone has a common goal of having a great experience,” she explained.
For her, the heart of Harlem Cycle lies in helping clients reconnect with their best selves while enjoying the experience.
Rochester’s decision to establish Harlem Cycle was driven by her desire to create something meaningful for her community.
Now, as a successful Black entrepreneur in the wellness industry, she’s paving the way for others and showing that betting on yourself can be the ultimate investment.
