Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Erik Aiple, CEO of Fit4Travel, located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.

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

Fit4Travel is a wellness travel platform that offers products and services to wellness professionals at no cost to help them enjoy the benefits of retreats without the additional time, stress, or challenges that come along when doing it on their own. Our goal is to complement this part of their business and continue to add incremental value for years to come. In working with Fit4Travel, the wellness professional will never put down another upfront deposit, take time away from their core business to assist with airfare or insurance questions, or take on additional liability when planning their next international retreat.

Tell us about yourself

Although I was a finance major in college, I was fortunate enough to work for a student travel company during my time in school, which led me to work for the oldest tour company in North America after college graduation. I've always said that you will never work another day in your life if you can find a way to blend passion, purpose, and skillset. As I continued to gain experience in the travel industry, I knew I was doing something that aligned with my passion and skillset but felt the need to dive deeper and understand the purpose for my deeper “why.” My number one core value is growth, and I have always inadvertently worked to inspire those around me to also push themselves in every area of life. As I watched my mom, a yoga instructor who frequently goes on retreats and leads local retreats, notice several pain points in the customer journey both as a retreat leader and as a student felt there was an opportunity to support the wellness community while indirectly impacting the world to be a better place by providing a simplified process for wellness professionals and yoga instructors when leading retreats

Fit4Travel was created to be an all-encompassing wellness travel brand dedicated to expanding your physical and experiential horizons. We allow you to prioritize fitness, self-care, and mental health while incorporating travel and all its wonders. Our mission is to create authentic trips for like-minded individuals to build community, inspiration, and growth. We want people to see the world as the best version of themselves and provide a risk-free way for wellness professionals to offer this through their community.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Watching our growth these past two years, knowing it is the most difficult time to be in the travel industry. The adversity, perseverance, and determination have made our team stronger, built trust, and proved to show that no matter what happens in life, you can always keep moving forward. As technology virtually brings the world closer than ever before, community and human connection are become more and more obsolete. Fit4Travel retreats bring people from all ages, ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds together which is needed more today than ever before.

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

Balancing every component in life and finding ways not to sacrifice too much of any one thing that you value. Giving enough time for friends, family, health, yourself, your employees, and the business is always a juggle.

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

These questions must be answered before making the jump.

  • What is the problem you're solving?
  • What is the solution you're providing?
  • How much would the market pay for this solution, and how large is the addressable market?
  • Are you willing to work 7 days a week and at night for the next 18-24 months if that’s what it takes to succeed?
  • Do you have cash flow if it requires you not to take a salary over that time?

Other tips:

  1. Don't get too high or too low. It's not about today but what you're building over the next 5+ years.
  2. If you don't have a mentor, find one. No one does it on their own.
  3. When starting a business with someone, ensure expectations, roles, and responsibilities are discussed. What is their financial situation, and can they make or take the same risks as you? Are you both on the same page with the vision of what you want to do with the business? Discuss the differences between an exit plan and selling out of the company.
  4. Focus on processes that will lay the foundation for long-term scalability.

Do you have daily rituals for work / wellness / fitness / mindfulness? If yes can you please explain your rituals so we can include them as well?

In the morning or evening, I kick off my day or conclude my workday with a structured wellness regimen that reflects my commitment to holistic health and vitality. My routine begins with a bike ride, not only to promote cardiovascular fitness but also to seize the opportunity for fresh air and mental clarity (it’s been over two years since I’ve owned a car with this objective in mind). This deliberate choice sets the tone for the day ahead or allows me to reflect on my day, aligning with my values of balance and proactive well-being.

Upon arriving at the gym or yoga studio, I engage in a series of weightlifting, stretches, and occasional basketball, recognizing the paramount importance of maintaining physical agility, discipline, focus, and resilience, traits essential for sustained leadership effectiveness. Furthermore, I leverage my time outdoors to capitalize on the benefits of natural sunlight, optimizing my Vitamin D intake. This strategic approach to my daily ritual underscores my unwavering dedication to a balanced lifestyle, understanding that my work output is very closely aligned with my physical well-being.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.iamfit4travel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamFit4Travel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamfit4travel/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamfit4travel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fit4travel/

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.

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