Hoop, There It Is!

Posted by Lauren Eberle on 21 March 2011 | 3 Comments

Monica Casey and her business, Monkey Hooper, were recently nominated for two awards by the readers of local popular website Triad Moms on Main, including Best Birthday Party Venue and Favorite Local Mompreneur. But Casey’s success stretches even further. With the founding of her high-class hula hoop company, the Winston-Salem mother of twins has become a party planner, a fitness coach, and an inspiration to fans of all ages.

LE: Monkey Hooper is quite a creative concept. Tell us how the business began.

MC: It started as a hobby. I was at a festival in Colorado and I saw grown adults hula hoping with extra large hoops. My friend and I tried them out, and we loved them! When I came home, I decided to try to make my own out of old scrap material. It worked, and I soon found myself making them for friends and friends-of-friends. In May 2009 I started selling them at festivals. They went over like gangbusters — and I decided to start a business.

How did you develop the design of the hoops?

In the beginning I used spray paint on the tubing, but that didn’t look very good. I tried big stickers, too, without luck. Then, I started using tape — electrical tape, glitter tape, reflective tape, and more — which works perfectly for both color and strength. My background is creative, but I really enjoy letting the customer customize the hoop with their favorite colors, holiday colors, or even team colors for tailgating. My sparkly hoops (with reflective tape) are the most popular, although feathered hoops are a big hit too.

What about the name?

I love monkeys; I couldn’t resist.

Let’s talk about the health aspects of hooping.

The fitness benefit of Monkey Hooper is the truly exciting part of this business. I do a ton of outreach to encourage people of all ages to get away from the TV and try this new form of exercise. Adults find that not only is hooping fun, but it offers a great workout. After just a few seconds, you’ll feel it in your abs! New moms especially love this alternative way to drop baby weight. Hooping reminds people of being a kid, and seeing their expressions — from age 5 to 80, women and men — is joyful.

And you take this a step further, with Hoopdio.

Yes. I teach Hoopdio — hooping plus cardio — classes at a number of gyms, and even as a P.E. credit for Salem College students. I hope to one day be able to offer certifications for Hoopdio so that folks in other areas can teach my class. Of course I’m also interested in getting the hoops into schools and getting P.E. teachers excited about Hoopdio. I think this is just about the most fun you can have while exercising.

Speaking of fun, Monkey Hooper hosts parties as well. Tell us more!

My birthday parties are a huge hit. Kids get to design and make their own hoop, and then I teach them how to play with their hoop and use it for games and exercise. At the end of the party, guests take home the ultimate party favor — a handmade hoop! I also offer custom parties for adults and larger groups.

[BONUS: Mention SavorNC magazine when you’re booking your Monkey Hooper birthday party and you’ll receive $10 off!]

What upcoming events are you most excited about?

I will be in the kids’ area of the Piedmont Earth Day Fair at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds in Winston-Salem on April 16^th from 10 to 5. I also offer a number of class and events throughout the year, which are listed on the online calendar. Check it out and join us!

Hoops range in size from small (29 inches wide) to extra large (41 inches wide), or can be custom made in larger sizes. Prices range from $18 to $40 based on size and design. For more information about Monkey Hooper, visit www.monkeyhooper.com or call 336-414-5316.