Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Matt OKeefe, CEO of HWPO Training, located in Danvers, MA, USA.

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

HWPO Training is a fitness community made of Hard Workers who roll their sleeves up and get to work on themselves. HWPO (Hard Work Pays Off) is our founder, Mat Fraser, 5X CrossFit Games Champion, personal mantra. At HWPO Training, we provide a diverse, scalable set of training programs built for anyone who wants to train their body and mind for any goal or condition. Our community shows up and works hard. From our communities experience with HWPO Training, we can guarantee one thing; Hard Work Pays Off.

Tell us about yourself

In 2013 I finally took the leap and bet on myself. I was always a dreamer. I had many ideas but never had the guts to take the step and roll the dice on myself and my dreams. I started a fitness clothing business that concentrated on the CrossFit industry. I was able to take a lot of what I learned in my role in my family auto business and apply it to something new, my own. My clothing business was the start. It allowed me access and experience that I never had. I learned a lot and what I really wanted to do with my life. From there, I developed a sports marketing agency that concentrated on talent management and brand marketing. I was acquired in 2018, which would be the catalyst for where I am today. I ran a large sports marketing and experiential agency in Miami. We ran some of the largest fitness events in the world (Wodapalooza), expanded further into talent management, and helped many brands tell fitness/training stories. When the opportunity to start HWPO Training was presented to me, I knew this was what I had been working towards my entire career. HWPO is a brand that Mat Fraser and I brought to life over the course of his career. It is something I deeply identify with. We built the brand for over eight years throughout his career. Today I get up every day to do what I love. I believe we will change the face of training globally with HWPO and millions of lives. I love that I get to inspire people to be better, whether it's directly as a part of our team or as a member of our community. I have always felt that, in any situation, I knew no one could outwork me. HWPO is a community of people that identify with that level of Hard Work. That is my fire.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Every day my biggest accomplishment is keeping people fresh and inspired by what we do and our culture. I have been fortunate enough to have many great successes in my life through hard work. I don't really look at any as the biggest. I work really hard to do the next right thing daily, win the day and create incredible culture. I don't really have a destination; I love the journey. I want to win every day with people that put their trust in me. The day I can't continue to inspire those around me and cultivate an attractive, winning culture will be when I hang it up!

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

Maintaining culture with growth. This is complex. The long play is the only play. It's easy to get caught up in revenue and numbers. Those are the results of staying true to brand and culture.

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

  1. Bet on yourself.
  2. Get uncomfortable every day.
  3. Focus on building your brand and culture with everything you do.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Thank you for having me. Show Up. Work Hard. Make Yourself Proud!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.hwpotraining.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okeefmr/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-o-keefe-011b7613/

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.