Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brad Longazel, co-owner of Everyday Athletes, located in Louisville, KY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Everyday Athletes started at a personal training studio with the hopes of building into something of value for the city. Over the last ten years of growth, we found our niche along the way. Feeling like an athlete shouldn't stop once we hit the workforce. We want everyone in Louisville to feel healthy and confident to get off the clock and chalk into a strength training experience like no other. Getting everyone involved and supporting each other inside the gym has been our greatest accomplishment. The community that has developed here over the years feels like it will have an impact on our members for a lifetime.
Tell us about yourself
My business partner Chance and I started out, as cheesy as it might sound, but it was to take care of our clients. We both worked in a commercial gym and hated hearing about our clients' trouble with billing and contracts. So we wanted to give them an easy, trustworthy experience that empowered them. So we never make any contracts. We want our results and joy keeping members returning, not a piece of paper.
Everyday motivation ebbs and flows over the years. Finding one single thing can get difficult when the waves start to rock the boat. But, with all the ups and downs, we have experienced growth that has always been inspiring. Seeing our facility expand and improve and seeing just how much our hard work pays off when you can grind through keeps pushing us forward.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Feedback and support always feel like the truest accolade. When we hear members candidly say we are the best gym in the city or even the state, I know we have made a difference.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Struggles and roadblocks along the way always seem to zap your motivation. We have always found a way to cross over them. Leasing agreements, staffing, and facility maintenance have all been tough, but the single hardest thing has been meeting our high expectations of satisfaction for staff and members. I think our perfectionist attitudes make that tough to meet from time to time.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find something you enjoy doing. If it feels like work, you're in the wrong line of business. It can be a struggle, and being tired happens but keep in the light of never wasting a day on a draining profession.
- Mentors and or a complementary business partner. Going it alone can be done, and I tip my hat to all that have succeeded before me. Having the right teammate or mentors worked best for me. People can be great in a lot of areas, but no one conquers them all alone.
- If you have a nice nest egg to start, you are in a great spot but spend slowly. If you are building from the bottom up, try to take very pointed steps. Spend confidently, know the return to the very best ability of your knowledge as you can. Don't get lost in the takes money to make money mentality. Risk is always measured but let the return be as high as you can in starting out. When you have some room to play, dive in on the long shots.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Enjoy your time building your business. Win or lose; it should be fun and rewarding. If the odds end up against your favor, take as much as you can, restart or move on. We learn from our mistakes, not from our successes.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.everydayafs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Everydayafs/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayafs/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.