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Millions in the bank? Nope. Plenty of failures? Absolutely. Worth it? Of course. I never dreamed I would have my own business, I have always been the joint owner of ventures. Last year I stepped out on my own and I have learnt some huge lessons.
This is what the gym looked at before I ever opened up. There was tons of equipment to move and a lot of cleaning to be done. I thought I would never be ready in time.
On 1 Septemeber 2017 I opened the doors of my new gym in Witbank South Africa. I was tucked into a large workshop building a local school had no need for. The floor, a rugged, wrecked paint job on a concrete floor. The roof, a flaking damp polystyrene covering. The windows were cracked and broken. I had some close friends help me drill a pull up rig into the wall as well as put up my barbell rack. Besides that I had very little besides the dust on the floor and a big open space. I was terrified. On the Friday I opened I had three member start training with me not many had backed me in succeeding in the venture. Something in my heart was sure, I loved this, it was my passion to give to people this gift I had discovered while training at my old CrossFit Gym.
I got some equipment and with the help of some amazing people who believed in me, I started putting everything in place. You can even see the floor not painted. I wish you could see the dust.
1) Trust Yourself:
If you have done your research, put down the original investment. It is time to trust in your own abilities and walk forth in the dream for yourself. Others may doubt you and even slander your attempts but trusting yourself is key. There is nothing like standing crouched down in an attempt to lift a heavy weight above overhead in a technical weightlifting movement and a couch shouts out "Trust yourself" its the same here. The results and small things will fall into place.
I started coaching some youngsters from the school in preparation for their rugby season. I coached so many school kids and classes I just had about 5 outside members in my first 3 or so months.
2) Start with what you have:
Being over exposed financially is very draining. You do not need millions of rands worth of equipment to start coaching and helping people. A space and an opportunity is all you need to help someone shed 10 kilograms, get fit and change their lifestyle into one of health. Start small and start simple.
3) Always put back into the business:
Each month I make it a goal to add something extra to the gym. A dumbbell or two, some painting, some renovations. The members see this and appreciate you investing in the place they train. People start offering help and advice to make the place they train look good. People look after their equipment.
Over the course of the year I slowly started adding equipment.
4) Look back once in a while:
To see how far you have come is probably the most rewarding thing ever! Take that time to celebrate the small successes. While aiming for the stars, don't forget to see how far you have travelled from earth.
5) Be thankful and humble:
Everything is given by grace and can collapse overnight. The economy could collapse, an earthquake could destroy a building. Always switch of your light of your business when you leave and be thankful for every thing you have. You have not conquered anything, it has only been entrusted to you for a brief time.
Some of the members training
I have a member who through hard work and diet has lost over 45 kilograms. This week he lost another 5% body fat in one month and is making huge strides towards changing his life. The moments looking into his eyes and seeing him able to reclaim activities in his life, those are the moments you are so grateful to be part of the fitness industry.
Getting to help people get fit and in shape is one of the greatest joys I have.
