Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chris Hill, founder of Personally Fit by Chris Hill Inc., located in Longview, TX, USA.

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

My business is a private one-on-one, one-on-two, and small group personal training business. We offer specialized exercise programs tailored to meet individual's fitness goals. We use nutrition, strength, flexibility, and many forms of cardiovascular training to achieve the client's goals. We also offer a unique group fitness format we call Tribal Fitness. This boot camp-style workout is done in groups the size of 10 to 20 and uses a variety of strength and cardio combinations to ramp up the client's metabolism and shed body fat. We have been changing lives since 1999!

Tell us about yourself

My fitness career started while I was working as a physical therapist assistant. I had a lady come into the clinic and ask if I could check her body composition. I happen to have just passed my National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Training exam and had a pair of calipers on my desk. I checked the lady's body composition, and she asked me if I would be interested in training her. I said yes! She entered a program called the Body for Life program, I trained her through this 12-week program, and she placed in the top 200 of over 20,000 participants. After this, I began taking more and more clients after hours of my Physical therapy job. I created quite a waiting list, so I hired a couple of other trainers and decided to open my own personal training business. The rest is history!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Being able to sustain my business for over 20 years in Longview, Texas, and change thousands of customers' lives for the better.

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

All the extra time you have to spend on daily operation, marketing, billing, and continued improvement in order to stay relevant.

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

  1. Make sure it is your passion.
  2. Don't go into it just for the money.
  3. Interview 5 people who are in the industry and have been successful and unsuccessful, take notes, and learn.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Over the years, I have found that keeping things simple and doing what you do best is the best formula. When I was young, I tried to add too many things to my business that pulled me away from my main service, personal training, and small group. I always have found myself going back to that for my main base service, and it still provides the largest income to my business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.longviewpersonaltrainer.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrishill6404/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.