“It’s very important to develop well-rounded athletes,” said Carla Colbeck, 24. “With everything that’s going on in our society, we feel it’s our jobs as teachers and coaches. We want to instill those values in their training. It pays off in their competitions and routines.”

The athletes are involved with a Cheer for Charity event and also will hold their second annual Toys for Tots drive this year. They collected 2,750 toys last year, and hope to double that number.

Jim Colbeck said his daughters always had an interest in passing on the things they learned.

“They would come home on weekends and would have friends come over and dress up,” Jim Colbeck said. “Even the boys would put tutus on. It’s always been their passion.”

He said he isn’t surprised Carla and Laura went into business, but he is surprised at their success.

In order to get the business off the ground, Carla and Laura Colbeck turned to their dad for help. Since they don’t have enough credit built up, he took out a family loan.

“They launched this business in the middle of an economic hurricane,” Jim Colbeck said. “I’m surprised how well they’re doing. It’s probably because parents are willing to sacrifice to give kids the chance. It keeps kids off the TV and off the computer.”

Within the past year, the facility has seen an increase in athletes. What started out as 12 has grown into 60 athletes who are grouped into teams based on their age, ranging from 5 and younger to 14 and older.

The Colbecks coach the competitive teams and have assistant coaches for the senior co-ed teams. Both Carla and Laura are certified by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors, and their assistants are working toward certification.

The Colbecks offer team training for local high schools, tumble training and stunting clinics.

“We create camps and clinics based on their needs and what they can afford,” Carla Colbeck said. “Especially in this economy, we work with coaches and students and what they can afford.”

Everyone who tries out makes a team that is separated by age and skill level. The costs vary depending on the team level and the type of competition the athlete attends. Younger athletes pay $55 a month, while older athletes pay $75 a month.

Laura Colbeck said she enjoys coaching because it ties her passion for working with children and her love of cheering together.

“My major is teaching, so I like working with kids,” said Laura Colbeck, a sophomore at Lansing Community College. “It’s a rush. It’s a unique sport in its own way. It isn’t very popular yet.”

The Colbeck sisters train their pupils for a type of cheer that is shown on ESPN, beginning with basic skills such as body control and discipline, and progressing to more advanced skills involving flexibility and harder conditioning.