How do you recoup after taking a blow?

Question

I have owned my own gym for 5 years. I have dealt with so many blows. Since opening I have had another 14 gyms open within close distance (some have closed out since). Now my best instructors (both sisters) have decided to rent space at our local pool complex (2 minute walk away) and teach there. I am at the end of my rope.. how do other business people handle this kind of crap and not let it destroy you? (emotionally and business wise). I don't want to sound like a cry baby but I have invested so much into my business and when your life is your business, it is hard to seperate the two. Where do you draw strength and determination to keep going?
No wise cracks please.

Answer 1

We're going into our 4th year...and it seems like there is always something coming up. It's really hard. People who don't own there own business always tell us that we need to remember that the business and business matters are seperate from me the individual. What they don't understand, but you obviously do...the business does become your life. Your paycheck, your house payment, car payment...heck, money to buy groceries, depends soley on the business making money. It's hard not to take it personally. As an owner it's very hard to seperate.
The great part is the same people who tell you to seperate it, are the same people who come to your business and want a discount on services or something for free because "we've been friends for so long" or they are a family member who in no way contributes to your business. Now, how do you make that decision? Do you give it to them becausee they're your friend or family member? Do you tell them no because it may not be a wise business decision? We've run into this alot. If you make a good business decision that goes against what the friend or family matter is asking for, they take it personally...they may be mad at you, call you unreasonalble, etc. And although it's clear to them that you should seperate business from personal matters to reduce your stress level, they certainly don't seperate you from the business when they want something from the business.

There have been many days that I was ready to give up, but something usually comes along that helps to lift my spirits and keep me going. I always think about going back to work for someone else...that always gives me a little strength to keep going. Also, I've been really lucky. My brother, father and boyfriend are my business partners. They are in the trenches with me everyday and truely understand how hard it is. Having the support of each other makes a huge difference. Just when one of us is ready to give up, the other helps pick up the slack. It has really worked out great for us.

We have a custom car shop and snow cone stand that happens to be a custom car. We honestly like what we're doing, and although it's hard, most if the time it's worth it. We've invested everything we own. And remember, you've haven't just invested alot of money into the business, you've invested the money in your future and your personal fulfillment and happiness. If you like what you're doing, stick with it.

I do agree that you should not let any portion of your business hinge on an employee staying or going. You always have to be prepared to do everything by yourself (or at least without a specific employee(s). You ran your business before they got there and you'll continue to run it when they leave.

Make your gym experiece above and beyond what any other gym is offering. What you make lack in "bigness" especially if you're completing against chain stores, you can make up for in making sure your customers have a personal experience. Offering something simple that will be appreciated by the customer that the other guys don't. For example with our snow cone truck, we knew we wouldn't be able to complete with some of the stands that have been around forever, so we started catering to private parties. Now, we're the only snow cone vendor that caters private/small events. Also, our truck is flashier than other stands and we take extra effort to go above and beyond clean inside the truck. In a world of chain stores and lack luster effort from underpaid, unmotivated employees, it getting easier for the little guy with the personal touches and customer service to stand out.

The next time your awake in the middle of the night wondering what you're going to do, how you're going to make ends meet or what person is going to put a stick in your spokes this time...just remember, I'm in St. Louis doing the exact same thing.

Good luck with your business.

Answer 2

I think you draw on the same strength you have for the past 5 years. At some point all of us self employed people say, dang it would be nice to show up and get a paycheck. But then, we remember, they expect you to show up, day after day and listen to the long boring stories about blah blah blah blah blah. I might go ge a job, but I will always have some self employed venture going on. I am with you though, I really had a rough year, and a good year at the same time. But, 2 things. Generally people do business with a person, not a business. Try to change that. If you have instructors, remember, the ppl get to chat them and know them, so they could leave you. Try to get the relationship with the Gym, not the instructors. Contact the customers, not mentioning the instructros. Create a seperate relationship with them. Build a bullet proof system that instructors come and go, but Mary Jane always works out at JOES GYM. Because they are the best to her. Great instructors, clean shower rooms, and the added......X.
Good luck, stay with it if you love it, or move on to a new venture.
Business is fluid, not stagnate, it can change and evolve., and it should.
Take care

Answer 3

Hi, you said that other operators have opened and closed since you've been running your business. Take heart from that. They were obviously not doing something right. The best form of advertising is by word of mouth. Try offering some sort of promotion to your regulars, you know, like tickets to a movie or a free gym session, if they bring along a friend or relative that signs up. Things can snowball from there.

It is very hard when you're trying your best to do something you love and things seem to go against you. Just try to keep a positive attitude and, above all, don't give up. Good luck. Regards.

Answer 4

The first thing to try and do is try work yourself up into a "fighting mood" to try make yourself determined to tackle your rivals head on.. try passing round a few A4 flyers to plug the business, make sure it's listed in GOOGLE LOCAL, etc + look at what they're doing, and see where you can go several steps better.... even if it means stooping as low as bringing in a couple of enthusiastic new gym instructors (like still studying it at college, and needs the work experience before the qualify) who on the off-chance just happen to be better looking than the instructors your rivals have.

Or try doing a few other things on the side, like I recently acquired a book "Three weeks to eBay profits, by Skip McGrath".

If all else fails, you might as well just start looking into selling up & relocating somewhere with less competition, and start fresh with all guns blazing.

Answer 5

You just have to keep going unless you decide that the business is too much for you to handle. Find new ways to bring in new business. Such as turning your gym into a children's fitness center. Or add that as an extra service. Teach teenagers how to work out and stay in shape. Sell fitness gear to people coming in to work out. I hope some of these ideas help but don't give up.

Answer 6

Don't get too emotional...it's business.
Get better, work harder on yourself and build your team.
Rebrand and reinnovate your sales and marketing process.
Create an experience the others can;'t copy and become a celebrity or find ways to get the celebrity factor working.
Why not make your clients the celebrity with a monthly newsletter.
Don't give up or quit because you will live in regret!
Join a business mastermind group that will support you and your goals. Enrol your team...family, friends and team members (staff)

Answer 7

You have to get brutally self honest. Ask yourself if the Income is more than the Expenses to keep your business thriving, not just surviving. Emotionally you really need to try to keep a slight distance between you and work, and remember even if your business fails, you have learned valuable life/business lessons. There is always tomorrow.

Answer 8

i just shut down a business where my competitor spread a very vicious lie about me when i opened. it made it very hard to get any business.
My anger and his other shoddy business practices allowed me to continue.
i got tired of living on the road, so got out.
i understand your position.
the only thing i can say is think about keeping good help with stock options/profit sharing. tell your sisters they are welcome to come back if theior business fails. it is likely it will.
hold your head high, treat people with the courtesy and respect you would like. your reputation will sustain you.

the energy to go on? the lord has helped me.
your energy to go on? are you doing what you like? do you see yourself there in 5 years? if so live on your dreams, hopes, and vision.
dream about what you are building for your children, or your rertirement.
think about how much you would hate going to work for someone else.

good luck

Answer 9

Change to something else.I suggest you look at my details.If you have contacts in clothing,silver jewelry,ladies handbags etc.Then together we can make a lot of money

Answer 10

keep your focus on your long term goals- if you focus on long term- every short term problem will clear up on its own