Ypsilanti's Sophia Hubbard wins Jazzercise franchise on A&E's 'Be the Boss'

In the Dec. 30 episode, two Jazzercise instructors—Kim McCulloch of Minooka, Illinois and Hubbard -- were summoned to corporate headquarters by Jazzercise founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett. At the Carlsbad, California office, they discovered they would be competing to win an exciting opportunity to become the new Jazzercise, Inc. ambassador -- but only one would ultimately win it.

Through the course of the week, both women were put through rigorous job-related challenges such as recruiting college students to attend a Jazzercise class on campus and producing a home workout DVD, to determine who should earn the coveted position.

At the show’s conclusion, Missett hired McCulloch as the new Jazzercise ambassador and asked to have a few consoling words with Hubbard. After McCulloch was dismissed, Missett revealed the surprising twist that Hubbard actually won the ultimate prize -- the keys to her own Jazzercise Fitness Center.

“We were thrilled to participate in this rare opportunity to change the lives of two deserving franchisees,” said Missett in a press release. “It was so gratifying to see these women work tirelessly to attain their 'dream job' and to help make that dream a reality. Both instructors are a welcome addition to our corporate team in their new roles."

For Hubbard, opening a Jazzercise Fitness Center was one of her future goals, but she didn’t think she could attain it this quickly.

“This opportunity came at just the right time for me,” said Hubbard, who currently teaches fourth grade at Erickson Elementary. “The chance to own a Jazzercise Fitness Center has given me new insight on my future!”

The full episode of “Be the Boss: Jazzercise” is currently streaming online.

The Jazzercise dance fitness program, founded in 1969, hosts a network of 7,800 instructors teaching more than 32,000 classes weekly in 32 countries. The workout program, which offers a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, kickboxing and Latin-style movements, has positively affected millions of people worldwide. Jazzercise was recently ranked #3 Home Based Franchise, #3 Low Cost Franchise and #13 Overall on the 2012 Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise 500. For more information on Jazzercise, go to www.jazzercise.com.