Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Xuan Nguyen-Marshall, founder of Xuan Fitness, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

I have a personal training business, and my customers are people of all walks of life who just want to feel good and move pain-free. I train most of my clients online through my coaching program, which encapsulates habit coaching, nutrition tracking, and strength training. These things combined can create positive lifestyle change and long term sustainability, which is what most of the people I work with are looking for :)

Tell us about yourself

I started training after being inspired by my basketball trainer in high school. I started working as a basketball skill and conditioning coach. I soon realized that I love helping people get better, smile, and push through the boundaries we create in our heads. Those things I learned I love still motivate me today and simplify things when I get overwhelmed. Fitness doesn't need to be so complicated. Self-improvement + smiles are what drive me.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think my biggest accomplishment was running this six-week program called Homework Club. I did four iterations of it, each growing in programming and member size. I'm proud of it because it was an idea that I took from a journaling brain dump into reality. I hired a personal assistant through this time to help me and coach me as well. Shoutout Carly Virtual Pro! It felt like an accomplishment in itself to believe in myself and this idea so much to hire someone else. And in the end, it paid off by making me and the members feel connected, happy, and accomplished.

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

I think one of the ongoing challenges of being a business owner is time management and prioritization. I struggle with this all the time, trying to figure out what needs to be done, what order things need to be done in, what to delegate, what to outsource, what I'm just putting off. Using Notion has helped me a lot, but it's a constant learning experience.

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

  1. Just start :) Lots of times, we feel like everything needs to be set before starting. It's good to strive for excellence, but it shouldn't be a reason for not starting.
  2. Take the time to talk to people in the career/ business you want to have. Ask people for coffee dates where you can pick their brain and be open and vulnerable about the parts of your biz/journey that you are looking for advice on.
  3. Go easy on yourself and accept the imposter syndrome (bc it will come up!) Try your best, never pretend to know something you don't, and continue learning :)

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If you are looking for a trainer or a friend to talk to about your biz, reach out! I am here to chat or help in any way I can. Just a DM away! :)

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://xuanfitness.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xuanfitness/

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.