There’s a new business soaring in Huntsville’s gymnastics scene: SOAR Gymnastics LLC, owned by Jennifer and Steven Douglas.
If you step inside the 9,000-square-foot facility, you’ll see and feel the positive energy inside. Since opening in June 2025, SOAR is a USA Gymnastics Member which means that it is officially recognized by the sport’s national governing body to train and sanction athletes for competition.
Within SOAR, you’ll find a gym full of equipment, a full weekday class schedule, and coaches who know their craft. Five coaches train boys, five train girls, and about 100 children—ages three to 14—are enrolled. They even have an adult class on Wednesday evenings. SOAR also has a separate gym for the “littles.”
Jennifer Douglas explained that the name SOAR reflects the company’s mission: she and the other coaches want every student to Stretch their abilities, Overcome fears, Aspire to new heights, and Reach their goals.
Jennifer and her husband, Steven, opened a new gymnastics facility in the same location previously occupied by another gymnastics training center and added their own vision. They signed a lease for the building in May 2025 and opened as SOAR before applying for a startup loan through nonprofit Neighborhood Concepts Inc. subsidiary NCI Loan Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that helps small businesses grow.
That loan made a big difference.
“It allowed us to buy a new sign, purchase equipment, and get team gear with our new name,” Jennifer says. “It helped us cover all the basics to get up and running.”
Tasha Reed, a loan coordinator for Neighborhood Concepts, Inc., says SOAR stood out from the start.
“Jennifer and Steven are passionate about creating a safe, positive space for kids to grow—not just as athletes, but as confident individuals,” she says. “That’s why we were excited to support them.”
SOAR isn’t just about classes. They host birthday parties, special events, and popular Parents’ Night Out evenings—giving moms and dads a break while kids enjoy supervised play and gymnastics activities.
Competitive gymnastics is part of the picture, too. SOAR trains boys’ and girls’ teams for sanctioned events across the region, with athletes competing in multiple meets each year.
Community support has been strong.
“Parents have stuck with us through the transition,” Jennifer says. “They’re planning to move with us when we expand. Our coaches and teams are like one big family.”
What’s next? Jennifer sees a bigger building in SOAR’s future within three to five years. For now, the current facility—with its recent upgrades—is serving them well.
“We’re excited about what’s ahead,” she says. “Our goal is to keep helping kids and families soar.”
The Regions Foundation recently announced a $150,000 grant to support the NCI Loan Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) operated by Huntsville-based nonprofit Neighborhood Concepts, Inc. This latest investment from the Regions Foundation will expand access to capital for small businesses in Huntsville and surrounding communities.
The Regions Foundation is a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank; through its grantmaking program, the Foundation supports economic and community development initiatives, along with education and workforce readiness programs and financial wellness opportunities.
The NCI Loan Fund is a natural community partner for the Regions Foundation. Since 2015, NCI has deployed nearly $17 million and supported more than 220 small businesses, including 25 this year alone.
To learn more about the Regions Foundation, please visit https://www.regions.com/foundation.