Happy Small Business Week, San Jose. We know small businesses are the heart of our community, so earlier this year, we asked local small businesses to tell us about themselves. They delivered.

We’ll be shining the spotlight on a few of SJ’s small businesses this month, starting with Hills Training, a fitness + kickboxing facility at 783 Alum Rock Ave., Ste. 40, owned by Marica + Isaiah Hill.

The biz offers training to families, individuals, and high-risk youth and actively competes on international and local platforms. Here’s more info, straight from Hills Training itself:

Q: What year did you open?
A: 2019

Q: How many employees do you have?
A: 6

Q: How would you describe your business?
A: We are a small mom-and-pop private training facility that caters to youth, high risk youth, families, and individuals in fitness and kickboxing. [We] actively compete on international and local platforms, keep kids off the streets, prevent youth from bullying, and help families and individuals lose weight and rebuild confidence within themselves.

Q: What’s unique about the small business scene in San Jose?
A: We believe being independently owned and operated — among so many other small businesses in Alum Rock — allows us entrepreneurs a closer, more meaningful connection and personalized service with our customers who choose to patronize us, making their experience all the more tailored and stronger due to the smaller scale and direct owner involvement.

Q: Pass the mic. What other small business in town should everyone know about?
A: Bay Area’s Brow Queen Studio

Q: When someone visits your small business for the first time, the one thing they have to do, see, or try is…
A: Our Youth, Teen & Adult Kickboxing programs which were ranked No. 1 in the US two years in a row — they’re perfect for all levels, beginners, or those interested in the sport of Muay Thai and looking to compete. We also specialize in fitness programs that assist men only, women only, or co-ed classes that incorporate families and their children to workout together.

Hills Training is open Monday-Friday, 4 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; walk-ins are welcome.