Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dan Jackson, the founder of Ultimate Home Gym, fitness equipment in, Toronto and Oshawa, Canada.
Tell us all about your business...
In a nutshell, we sell Fitness Equipment at fare prices. We started this business due to a demand in Fitness Equipment for home use as the Pandemic closed all gyms including our own gym that we (my wife and I) owned and operated for over 6 years. Our clients were in need of equipment to continue their workouts and we saw that the prices were extremely inflated which was not fare. We decided to provide our clients with equipment we sourced at fare prices and the business Ultimate Home Gym was born.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a business owner?
I have been a Fitness/Movement Coach for over 22 years, I have certified personal trainers for over 11 years. This all started when I was 13 years old. I was diagnosed with Ankylosis Spondylitis and thankfully has a strong desire to understand my body in relation to the disease. I started my career without even knowing it by reading and learning as much as I could about the human body. I was not going to let the disease overtake my life. The doctors told me there was no cure but that did not make sense to me at all.....if it started, then why can't it stop?
I became a Personal Trainer after I had to quit my job at the age of 19 due to increased pain and my inability to walk for very long without resting. I noticed that a Personal Trainer could work a few hours here and there so I thought it was my best option. Since then I have done many things in the world of Fitness. Certified Personal Trainers, opened and operated my own Personal Training studio with my wife for over 6 years. We had 5-7 other trainers working for us and we served the community well. Once it was closed due to Government regulations we decided to close it permanently due the fact we did not know when we could reopen or what that would even look like. We then started Ultimate Home Gym to supply gym equipment to home users in the wake of the gym closes. My main goal in life and the reason why I wake up every day is to help others improve their health, improve their confidence and more recently help them on their spiritual journey.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am not sure, to be honest......I guess I don't feel as if I have one. We started a business from the ground up and that feels pretty good but I think I still have a lot to accomplish and my biggest ones are still to come
What's one of the hardest things that come with being an entrepreneur?
Trusting in yourself, focusing on what you do well and not what others are doing.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
1. Plan but don't over plan. Once you can start, then start!
2. Get to your know your strengths really well and use those, for your weaknesses budget to outsource those. You do not need to do it all.
3. Ask for help often but.....don't let anyone stop you from doing what you think is best.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
We shut down Ultimate Home Gym due to logistical issues with imports from overseas. So we are working on a new project that is still in the infancy stage. On another note, I will be facilitating Movement/Breath Work and Cold Dips in Oshawa this winter :)
Where can people find you online?
https://www.instagram.com/ultimatehomegym.ca/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/dfit_jackson/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/iambeckyfranklin/?hl=en
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as an entrepreneur or business coach that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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