Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anthony Haddad, co-founder, and head coach of Panda Boxing, located in Montreal, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Panda Boxing is a premier boxing studio, and our mission is to help you absolutely crush your fitness and wellness goals. Our classes and group sessions are modeled on old and new school boxing techniques, making for exciting, hardcore workouts and a full-body burn sure to leave you sweating—and empower you to the fullest. Our team of coaches is here to guide you on your journey of self-excellence as you push yourself to new, life-changing limits.
You'll find us in an underground gym in Old Montreal, a vibrant, art-filled arena that energizes, engages, and inspires. More than just a space to train, Panda Boxing is a whole new lifestyle—one for active, driven people who want to get that knockout physique and finally unleash the physical and mental strength that's always been inside them. Come leave it all in the ring!
Tell us about yourself
It has always been a dream to open a boxing studio. Coming from an engineering background, I was only coaching boxing part-time, and I never took the leap of faith. I had a business plan drafted but never made the big move. That's when I met my business partner, Antoine Tava, the man behind the art and the branding of the gym. I started coaching him, and we became as close as two brothers could get. He pushed me to take the leap of faith and decided to go all-in with me. The rest is history!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I would say that our biggest accomplishment was to create an amazing community of great human beings. This is what drives us every day to do what we do! Every challenge we faced was conquered because of this community.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I wouldn't say that being a business owner is hard. I just see it as a constant learning process. Each day you learn something new, something about yourself, and you need to embrace every challenge that is thrown at you.
It'll take you out of your comfort zone, and as long as you are AWARE of this, everything will go well.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find your passion.
- Review tip #1
- Review tip #2
If you truly know your passion and find what drives you from the moment you wake up, there is nothing that will stop you. We can go through all the technicalities (accounting, legalities, design, branding, management, etc.), but all these kinds of these fall into place naturally.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'd simply like to thank my partner Antoine for believing in this project and everyone who was involved in the creation of the studio. We are grateful for the amazing Panda Boxing community, and we are excited for the next years to come!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://panda-boxing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pandaboxingmtl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pandaboxing_mtl/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/panda-boxing/
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.