Having once been the owner of 33 Orangetheory Fitness gyms, I had a unique vantage point to assess operations both globally and at the individual gym level. As the brand expanded, so did the boutique fitness trend and the competition. Orangetheory corporate excelled at revamping workouts and evolving the brand to keep things fresh for members. Locally, our job was to follow corporate guidelines while also enhancing customer experience by fostering a fun and engaging culture, encouraging friendships and shared values to retain clients.
The COVID pandemic brought new challenges across the fitness industry, and many large gym chains didn’t make it. However, Orangetheory adapted by offering mask and non-mask classes with smaller class sizes. We introduced air purifiers and spaced out classes to allow for thorough cleaning. As COVID receded, our focus was on marketing and reassuring customers that the gym environment was safe.
I’ve launched 14 companies, sold eight, and still run four. I often think of myself as one of the luckiest country boys around. Though "luck" plays a role, I’ve found that the more effort I put in, the luckier I get. Striking a work-life balance is tough at this point in life. Long workdays can disrupt home life, so I made sure to fit work around family. I never missed Friday night dinners with my family or Saturday date nights with my wife.
When it came to my kids, I was involved in their activities. For my sons, I coached 17 seasons of kids’ sports, always attending practices and games, followed by meals and hugs, before heading back to work. With my daughter, I went to her singing, dance, and theater events, and again, a meal followed by a hug, then back to work. There’s definitely sacrifice involved, but the reward of success and securing my family’s financial future made it worthwhile.
A big factor in my success as an entrepreneur has been building relationships. Your future as your own boss hinges on the connections you make. Whether it’s partners, investors, vendors, bankers, employees, or competitors, relationships are crucial to your success. While you’re in charge, reaching that final level of prosperity requires these relationships to guide you through various paths and decisions toward achieving your financial dreams.
As I dive into the next chapter of my business journey with three operating ventures and a role on a public board, I’ve chosen to focus on the pet industry, particularly dogs. Statistics show people spend more on their pets than on themselves. I discovered a franchise called Scenthound, specializing in dog health and grooming. The key lesson I’ve learned in franchising is to invest in territories, not just individual franchises. At Scenthound’s corporate headquarters, their organization and support impressed me, prompting me to negotiate territories that could lead to 25 locations.
So, after taking a brief break following my Orangetheory Fitness exit, we’re back in action.
