Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dan Kleckner, Co-Owner of Kutting Edge Fitness, located in Redmond, WA, USA.

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

Our main Business Model is Semi-Private Training. We customize the program to the client and help them move better and feel better. Our clients are typically in the top 40% in affluency in our area, and our people that are looking for a customized solution to their fitness needs. They typically have tried the one size fits all approach before at other gyms, and it did not work for them.

Tell us about yourself

I have always been in the fitness industry. I was fortunate to catch on early with some of the best Fitness Business Mentors in the country. They helped me open up and scale our gyms. Our number one mission is to serve our clients. But I also believe it is ok to have financial goals within your business and use it as a vehicle for personal and financial freedom. What motivates me every day is to create an environment for my staff where they can enjoy what they do, have a work/life balance, and make the money they want to make while serving clients. I am also motivated to create a vehicle (my business) that allows me to have the freedom to spend my time on other things I prioritize (mainly spending time with my wife and three kids).

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our biggest business accomplishment is scaling to multiple locations and the number of members we are able to serve, as well as surviving the pandemic while having our business closed for 4+ months. Personally, my biggest accomplishment in my career is now being able to travel around the country and speak at various conferences, helping other business owners scale and grow their businesses while creating personal and financial freedom.

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

I think the hardest thing with any business is managing people. And developing the leadership skills to be able to manage people differently and what is most effective to the employee.

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

  1. Seek out mentors who have been there and done that.
  2. Know your numbers. Businesses are fairly easy to run if you understand your numbers and KPIs and understand how to react to them.
  3. Don't be the main product of your business. Set up your business in a way it can survive and thrive without you. This also usually means delegating and trusting your managers.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://kuttingedgefitness.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danklecknerperformancecoach
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dkleck12/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dkleck12
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-kleckner-64377964/

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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