Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brooke Meek, founder of PLNK, located in St Louis, MO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
PLNK Is the premier Lagree destination for the Midwest. We currently have studios in Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Missouri, with more on the way. The Lagree method manipulates time and tension to create an adaptive response in the body. Every 50-minute class is a total body-targeted muscular strength building and conditioning sweat session – there is nothing else like it. Classes are for every body, age, and fitness level.
Tell us about yourself
As a stay-at-home mom of three small kiddos, I worked out for my sanity, not my vanity. While traveling a handful of years ago, I tried a new workout called Lagree. I remember leaving and thinking, “what in the world was that?” I went home and told all of my friends about it. I remember looking at my husband and saying, “if we don’t bring this to St. Louis, someone else will.”
Seven years later and we’re working on our seventh studio. The community that we have built is inspiring. We have professional athletes that frequent our studios, older individuals looking to gain strength, CrossFit games athletes who use our machine on their “off” day, and everything in the middle. When people reach out and tell us about their success stories, my heart swells and motivates us all to continue growing our brand.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am incredibly proud of creating a brand from nothing. PLNK is not a franchise. No one sends us marketing goals, media packages, or training materials. We built everything ourselves. To create something from nothing and, within five years, have partnerships with the NHL, PGA, and professional tennis programs make us feel like we’ve all built something really incredible.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It never stops. We are constantly looking to improve our studio experience, client-facing programming, training programs, and on and on… Staffing post-COVID has also been an ongoing issue.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. If you are not willing to risk it all, you likely shouldn’t start a business. Having said that, if you are truly passionate about a new product, service, or invention, your passion will shine through. Some of the most incredible stories of growth come from individuals who have been told no hundreds of times.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Love Lagree but don’t have one in your city? We love hearing recommendations on where we should open next!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.plnkfitness.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plnkfitness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plnkfitness/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/plnkfitness
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plnk-fitness/
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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