Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Andrew Westcott, owner and CEO of Chicago Elite Fitness and Bucktown CrossFit, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My goal is to create an environment where literally anyone can come in and work out, moving towards their best selves! We offer CrossFit classes, personal training, nutrition coaching, chiropractic, and more! We aren't here just to tell you what to do but to teach you how to do it all for yourself! (and to add a little accountability along the way).

Tell us about yourself

I've been in the sport and fitness business for quite a while now, being a competitive athlete well into my 20s. After trying my hand at professional soccer and ultimately finding it not to be a long-term career path, I tried to find somewhere I could make a larger impact.

After a couple of years working with Adidas, I found myself at a CrossFit gym in Chicago and loved it. I loved the community element to this, and I saw an avenue for me to utilize my physical education, health education, and coaching degree in a new way. I stepped into a role at the gym and moved my way up to a position to buy the majority ownership in 2020.

I find it so rewarding to see the impact we have on the lives of our members and those around them. Whether that be losing weight, getting stronger than ever before, building healthy habits, or even just putting a smile on their face due to being accepted by a community that loves them, I love seeing the joy and confidence that comes out of what we do.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think the biggest accomplishment I've had as a business owner so far, aside from general personal growth, has been navigating the post-quarantine period. I purchased majority ownership less than a month after quarantine, had to move spaces, build out the new space, and navigate creating a place where everyone felt comfortable. All that being said, I definitely did not do this alone. I have an awesome team of coaches and support staff behind me that have been essential every step of the way.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The hardest thing for me has truly been gaining comfortability in delegation and asking for help. This is an ongoing struggle for me. I've always been someone who just did it myself, and in business ownership, I've learned that this only leads to burnout and poor work-life balance. In order for our business to grow, I've been working to build a team of excellent individuals that I can trust so that the business isn't as reliant on me to be successful.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Build your business out of your passion. If you love it, you will want to grow the business and put the work in for it.
  2. Be conscious of your balance. It is one thing to prioritize your work and sacrifice for your business, but neglecting other aspects of your life, such as your health and family, is totally different. It's really easy to allow your passion-based business to overwhelm your life.
  3. Build a team out of people who share your passion and learn to trust them. Put them in positions where they can be successful and try to learn to be vulnerable. Teamwork is key to growth, and while you may be the driving force in your business, you can't be the only driving force for all functions.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Honestly, being a business owner is hard. It can be draining, overwhelming, and demoralizing if you let it. Ultimately I believe that if you build on your passion, especially if your business is in helping people, being a small business owner can also be fulfilling, overwhelmingly rewarding, and give you energy. It is up to you which one of these it ends up being.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://chicagoelitefitness.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagoelitefitness/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-westcott-6a421097/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.