The Story

In the vibrant, never-sleeping city of New York, Payal Kadakia faced a surprisingly mundane but frustrating task - booking a ballet class. As she sifted through a myriad of options without finding an easy solution, a spark of an idea flickered in her mind – what if technology could simplify this process? This illuminating thought marked the genesis of ClassPass, a revolutionary concept destined to disrupt the fitness industry.

Payal was no stranger to the struggles of fitting into different spaces. As an Indian-American growing up in Randolph, New Jersey, she faced the challenge of balancing her two cultural identities. Often, she found herself hiding her Indian heritage, fearing rejection from her largely non-Indian community. Yet, she found solace and self-expression through Indian folk dance, which she began practicing at a young age. This love for dance followed her into adulthood, leading her to start her own dance company, Sa Dance, while she was working as a Bain & Company analyst.

Inspired by the transformative power of dance and her experiences with cultural duality, Payal was fueled to create a platform that made fitness classes more accessible. She was determined to solve the logistical pain of finding and booking classes. After six months of researching the fitness and wellness class market and securing investments from friends, Payal quit her job to focus solely on ClassPass. With a leap of faith and the blessing of her parents, she founded ClassPass in 2011.

The early years of ClassPass were challenging. Payal soon realized that changing customer behavior was a herculean task. She wanted to develop a platform that would make people feel comfortable walking into classes they had never attended before. Despite the hurdles, she persevered, maintaining her belief in the potential of her idea.

ClassPass began to hit its stride with the help of Fritz Lanman, a serial entrepreneur and angel investor. Lanman played a significant role in ClassPass's success, leading the seed and Series A funding and eventually taking over as CEO in 2017. ClassPass started to expand globally, focusing on inclusivity in its outreach and partnerships. The company allowed subscribers to take a variety of fitness classes for one monthly fee rather than multiple fees for different types of classes. The platform soon evolved to include any service or activity that promotes a healthier lifestyle, from cooking classes to beauty services.

Despite the growth and success of ClassPass, Payal remained grounded in her roots. She continued to honor her art through Sa Dance Company. For Payal, the duality she once struggled with had now become her strength. With her art, she was honoring her heritage, and with her business, she was shaping the future. To this day, ClassPass has logged 65 million hours in experiences for people, and Payal eagerly anticipates this number growing.

And so, Payal Kadakia's story serves as a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and the courage to embrace one's identity. From the young girl practicing Indian folk dance in New Jersey to the founder of a billion-dollar company, Payal’s journey is an inspiring tale of entrepreneurial success.

Lessons from Payal

1. Adapt and Evolve: ClassPass started as a fitness class booking platform but has since expanded to include other services such as haircuts and vaccinations. This willingness to adapt and evolve based on market needs is crucial for business longevity and success

2. Embrace Your Uniqueness: Payal's unique background and experiences helped her to approach the fitness industry with a fresh perspective. Her Indian-American heritage, passion for dance, and understanding of the struggles in booking fitness classes all contributed to the creation of ClassPass. Embracing who you are can lead to innovative ideas and solutions.

3. Identify a Problem and Solve It: Payal's idea for ClassPass stemmed from a personal experience of difficulty in booking a ballet class. She identified a problem in the market and created a solution for it. The most successful businesses often start by solving a problem that the founder personally experiences.

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