Run a Profitable Gym

After many years of mentoring entrepreneurs, I now see more clearly the maturation process of starting and growing a business. Today I will be discussing the various stages of entrepreneurship and how they apply to owning a gym. The four stages of Entrepreneurship are: the Founder stage  the Farmer stage the Tinker stage, and  the Thief stage. Most of this episode is going to cover what to do in the Tinker phase. This is when you enter the realm of success with your first business and you are pondering what to do next! 

Today we are joined by Rickard Blomberg, the President of US operations for Eleiko Sport. Eleiko has been the gold standard when it comes to weightlifting equipment. Since 1963, they have been building a weightlifting bar that lasts longer and performs better than any other in the industry. Join us today to learn how Rickard has helped transition this company into the modern age and carry on the company’s legacy since its founding!

Today on the show we are joined by Layci Nelson of Nelson Management Strategies. She is the co-founder of the Iron and Mortar Summit which aims to equip entrepreneurs to be the best version of themselves. Layci comes from a family of entrepreneurs and as a result, has an admiration for the change makers and risk takers within the business world. It is because of this that she enjoys engaging and inspiring leaders to become the best version of themselves possible. Layci has been involved in the conception, creation and implementation of over many programs, community initiates, and business models and aims to see the big picture for a company. Equipping business owners to lead is what she does best and today she is here to share this valuable knowledge with you!We talk today extensively about Layci’s very interesting story on her journey from working professional to CrossFit. In addition, Layci has a very different approach to leadership summits than most which we dive into. She likes to keep her attendance small and focus on engaging with each attendee to help them master the concepts and have the greatest chance at success. 

Jeremy Kinnick is an OG of CrossFit. He competed in the 2008 Games - you'll see him in "Every Second Counts." He's a ten-year affiliate owner, a family man and a hell of an athlete.This episode focuses on hard lessons learned as an athlete and affiliate owner. We'll share a lot of Jeremy's stories about the Games and his gyms. And you'll hear how each has shaped the other.This is a very valuable interview because mistakes are expensive. People open gyms for all the RIGHT reasons, but close their gyms for all the WRONG reasons. We fix these problems in the Incubator. We don't take everyone; to see if you're a good fit, book a free call with me.

The 2018 TwoBrain Summit is June 2-3 in Niles, IL! Book your spot here!Episode 114 – Baltimore Crew Think about the other affiliates in your city. Do you know the owners? Do you know their their spouses or even their kids? Back in the day, we all had this rosy picture of CrossFit Gyms working together in their community, throwing fun competitions, having picnics together on the weekend. However, in reality, CrossFit gyms can be fierce competitors and regularly accuse each other of cutting prices and stealing members. However, there is one beacon of hope within the city of Baltimore. These gym owners get together every month to talk about what is working and collaborate to improve their gyms. They send members to each other’s gyms. If this sounds like it can’t be possible, then listen in! Today I talk to seven gym owners and learn where they came from and how this culture of helping each other came about. This is a shining example of where I hope CrossFit will be going forward.The Baltimore Crew meets up about once a month near downtown Baltimore. At the meeting the crew talks about what went well and what people need help with over the past month. They do this by going around the table and then collaborating to deal with issues and problems. Occasionally a member will get “beat up” when they do something wrong or are avoiding a problem at their gym. But this is always constructive in nature, and it is meant to challenge a member and be sure they are growing as a business and gym owner.  After meeting as a group, the members of the crew can take the ideas and actions back to their gym to work on it with their team.. ‘One way in which the Baltimore Crew has helped one another is by recommending new clients to other gyms. Many times a client will be moving to the other side of town and it just makes more sense to try a gym that is closer to their residence or work. By referring clients to people you know and trust you can ensure that they receive a good experience. The Baltimore crew knows that if they can make CrossFit popular and successful in the entire city than it will help everyone involved.Want to build a stronger community of gym owners in your city? This episode has tips to get started. These owners are a living example of collaborative competition. 

Episode 113 - Working With Entrepreneurs, with Eden Watson of Two-Brain WorkshopEntrepreneurs are one of my Top 3 target audiences at Catalyst. I think entrepreneurs are perfect clients for CrossFit gyms, because they have: Time flexibility Financial flexibility A clear sense of priorities No time to waste "guessing" what workout to do.In previous episodes, we've mentioned the Two-Brain Workshop, working with corporate groups, and even the best workouts for entrepreneurs. But today, Eden Watson, manager of the Workshop, sat down to spell out EXACTLY how we're tying founders to fitness.