Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jennifer Brine, Co-Founder and CEO of aneufit, located in Boston, MA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
At aneufit, we specialize in functional movement, aging, and longevity. Our approach focuses on a deep understanding of your muscle, bone, and joint health, helping you identify the areas that may be contributing to your decline in performance, balance, or overall ability to feel good as you age. Our team is trained in pain science, natural movement, and strength training, and we use a clinical framework for movement that allows us to work with people from all backgrounds and levels of fitness. Whether you are an athlete looking to improve your performance in skiing, snowboarding, horseback riding, biking, or other sports, or an individual who has not moved in a while and finds it difficult to rise from a chair or access the ground, we can help you! Our program is tailored to meet your specific needs and goals, whether you want to enjoy life to the fullest or get back into the activities you love.
Tell us about yourself
My grandparents raised me, and their influence on my personality and core memories is immeasurable. I was raised on the timeless music of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Engelbert Humperdinck, Dean Martin, and other artists of their era. Growing up with my grandparents meant that I faced the reality of age-related decline and the potential loss of loved ones at a younger age than many of my peers. It was heartbreaking to watch my grandparents experience health issues and muscle decline and to be told by clinicians and practitioners that it was just a normal part of aging. But I knew from my own research that there was more we could do to help older adults maintain their health and vitality. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anyone who could provide us with the level of care and support we needed. Watching my grandparents take preventable falls and ultimately pass away within a year of those falls was a traumatic and sad experience that has motivated me to help others in their situation. At my company, we utilize evidence-based research in musculoskeletal health, and we strive to deliver the highest quality training and support to anyone over the age of 60. We believe that aging should not be a barrier to living a fulfilling and active life, and we work tirelessly to help our clients achieve their goals and maintain their health and independence for as long as possible.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is my work on myself. To be successful in business and anything really, I believe it is essential to understand yourself, your core, your divers, and your triggers so that you can do the work to become the most whole and healthy version of yourself. Owning a business and following your dreams takes a lot of work and perseverance. Everyone's journey is different. I found it lonely and isolating, as most people close to you don't know how to support you or believe in you at first. I was always lucky to have my grandparents and some really amazing friends. With life comes death. With navigating a business comes periods in life where there is immense grief, and with the work also comes a lot of shedding of layers and moving into what serves you. For some of us, that feels unnatural and scary. It also again breaks the social norm and can be lonely. We learn to let go of people and things that no longer serve us and trust what does.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The financial challenges of bootstrapping a company can be one of the most difficult aspects of being a business owner. When you come from a background with little to no financial resources, every hurdle can seem insurmountable. Balancing the need for paying work with pursuing your passion for your own company can be a challenge, especially when you are just starting out. As your business grows, you may find yourself having to make tough choices about how to allocate resources, and there may be times when you have to forego taking a paycheck to keep the business moving forward. However, we believe that compromising on the quality of our services is not an option if we want to provide the best care to our clients. While navigating these challenges can feel vulnerable, we are fortunate to have the support of individuals who share our vision and are willing to help us succeed.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- You can do it; believe in yourself!
- Read some books to get started. I recommend: The Lean Startup by Eric Reiss, You Are A Badass - by Jen Sincero, The Founders Dilemma, Managing by the Numbers, How to Sell is Human, and They Ask You Answer.
- If you can build a runway, do. Suppose you can not; don't let your financial position stop you. You can find a way to do almost anything. It won't be easy, but it is possible. Fail forward!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.aneufit.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aneufit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aneu.fit/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aneufit2/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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