Kelley Durbin opened Mismo Gymnastics in 2001 driven by a life-long love of gymnastics and a passion for coaching children.  Mismo grew rapidly in popularity providing an exciting new athletic opportunity to hundreds of Missoula’s youth.  But even with the growing numbers of students anxious to learn to flip and tumble, Mismo faced financial challenges.

MCDC’s consulting team worked closely with Kelley to reconstruct Mismo’s financial management and to put the business back on track to a profitable future.  With a new CFO and a business expansion plan in place, Kelley became a viable applicant for an MCDC loan to keep her business afloat following those financial challenges.

Mismo provides the equivalent of 22 full-time jobs and works with around 500 children, from toddlers to teenagers, each week.  By working with the well-trained and enthusiastic coaching staff, children overcome physical and mental challenges and have fun in learning new techniques.  Gymnastics boosts self-confidence and determination in a supportive, team setting and introduces children to an active lifestyle from an early age.  Mismo provides Missoula with the only competitive women’s gymnastics program and one of two competitive programs for men.  MCDC’s assistance over the rough spots kept this youth resource and significant employer vaulting forward.