Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Eric Hankinson, owner of All Around Fitness, located in San Francisco, CA,USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a boutique fitness studio focused on making our beloved San Francisco better and stronger human beings.
Tell us about yourself
Hi, I’m Eric. And my personal story is where the All Around story begins. Through high school, I competed in team sports at competitive levels and loved it. The hard work, the friendships, the long hours, the tournament t-shirts and medals.
Then, through my early 30s, I focused on everything but fitness:
- Too many long hours at work
- Collecting passport stamps
- Racking up awards points
- Starting a family
It was great, but something was missing. One day, half-heartedly working out at the local gym, I jumped on a scale and was shocked by the number I saw. That started my path to transformation. And it’s been a long one. Filled with personal trainers, gym memberships, and calorie counting.
Sweat and pain and discomfort and happiness. Knee surgery and tendinitis (too many times…) And eventually training for and completing endurance and ultra-endurance events, sometimes reaching the pinnacle of weekend warrior accomplishments: age group winner’s medals. I’ve learned a lot of lessons on the path that began that scary day on the scale; physical, mental, and otherwise. Most importantly that health and fitness are important to people’s overall wellbeing, and we control the results here.
Our approach to wellness can’t be singular. It must be multi-dimensional and balanced. And, perhaps most importantly, change takes time because immediate results are unsustainable. Here’s the thing about this path I’m on – I now see it’s a lifelong journey. There is no finish line, no podium. Because we can always do more, we can always grow. We can always be better.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Opening during COVID, receiving constant support from the community and watching people smile every time they walk in the door.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I mean, COVID! Also, the shifting demographic of how people work - from full-time in the office to full-time work from home, to a current hybrid model, to who knows what the next few months and years will look like!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Be patient. Set realistic expectations. Be prepared to work harder than you ever have.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://allaroundsf.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaround_sf/
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.