Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fitness education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sara Kooperman, CEO of SCW Fitness Education, located in Deerfield, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
For 40 years, SCW Fitness Education has always been and always will be dedicated to diversity and inclusion. We are proud to be the fitness education and respected certification company of choice for group fitness professionals, personal trainers, and for-profit and not-for-profit fitness facilities and clubs.
We support all forms of exercise, from strength to Pilates, aquatic exercise to cycling, yoga to nutrition, and back again. We also have an extensive business summit for club owners, managers, and directors. As the largest conference leader in the world, SWC Mania offers seven professional fitness training conventions annually in Washington DC, California-San Francisco, Florida-Orlando, Atlanta, Dallas, Midwest-Chicago, and Boston. We also have offered 19 virtual conventions during the 24 months of the pandemic. We kept our business alive and our fitness industry educated!
Tell us about yourself
I am the CEO of WATERinMOTION and SEAT fitness, along with SCW Fitness Education, a 40-year-old successful Fitness Education Business. I am a successful business owner, an advisor, and a keynote speaker. I’ve been a published author, webinar host, podcast presenter, and sought-after industry trailblazer. We have launched over seven successful mania fitness professional conferences and business summits. We also offer six different streaming conferences and more than 40 live and online fitness certifications.
SCW Fitness Education has touched more than 100,000 fitness professionals face-to-face and engaged another 300,000+ in virtual connections. We have also produced over 500 fitness instructor training videos. I currently serve on the International Health and Racquet Club Association headlights committee for facility standards. I’m a cohost of a talk show that is offered monthly for fitness professionals. I am a proud member of the Gold's Gym Think Tank and on the Canadian fitness professional advisory board.
I was also a founding board member of the Women In Fitness Association. I was recently nominated for the IDEA (International Dance Exercise Association) fitness leader of the year award. This year I won the most innovative fitness pro by the Fitness Industry Technology Council. I am inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame, Illinois state businesswoman of the year, and winner of the Aquatic Exercise Association Global award for contribution to the aquatic industry.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building a team of 20 fitness professionals to run events, certifications, webinars, and talk shows - many of whom have worked for me for over a decade.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Balancing your career with your personal life. Dealing with a pandemic that has closed all fitness facilities and hotels while running a Fitness Convention Education Business. Rebuilding a business after your offices were burnt to the ground. Adapting to change.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Good management is not asking someone to do something. Good management is making sure that it gets done. This is the hardest part of the business.
- Be nice. Try to hold onto your patience. Talk to people as they deserve to be spoken to. Be respectful of everyone.
- Have vision. Don’t hold back if you think an idea is going to work. Give it your all. Be passionate and persistent.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://scwfit.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scwmania
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scwmania/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/scw_mania
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarakooperman/
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.
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