Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chris Johnson, Founder of Cerus Fitness, located in Frederick, CO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

If you look right and left, our customers are everyday people who are looking to get active and stay active. We help inspire people off the couch and keep them moving-- encouraging them to bite off bigger and bigger challenges until they are scaling mountains and running marathons regardless of their initial ability level.

Tell us about yourself

I had an awesome weight loss journey after my college years that really instilled in me the mindset of "in this for the long haul." As an athlete my whole life, I had a different relationship with movement and athletics. When I gained and then lost weight, I learned how much more important fitness as a "lifestyle" was for adults. Our mission is to create a path for 100,000 people to live a lifestyle of health and fitness.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'd have to say launching our first facility in COVID was quite a journey and one I'm glad we endured. We originally intended to open in March of 2020, and the way circumstances lined up, we had to head into the unknown and launch in November 2020 while watching so many companies in our industry fold. We wouldn't have done it if we didn't believe so passionately we were bringing something to the market that people badly needed-- and that bet paired with lots of extra work ended up paying off!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I'd say time and being consistent emotionally. Time- there is really never enough in the day, and just when you think you have time, a new and pressing issue will be brought to you that requires you to drop everything and address it. Being consistent emotionally is about the ultimate highs and insurmountable highs you feel on an almost visceral level when you own a business-- all the defeats, big and small, can feel like your own, and all of the wins feel like you are on top of the world. I find the challenge is never letting you get too high or too low.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Acknowledge and understand your weaknesses and begin to immediately plan on how you will outsource and hire for those weaknesses. You may have to wear all the hats at the beginning, but for you to be sane and your business to thrive, you will eventually need people to help where you struggle most.
  2. Vision - No idea is too big or grandiose. You are capable of dealing with short-term daily operations while also looking forward and imagining a bigger and brighter future for you, your company, and your customers. Don't be discouraged by any naysayers of your long-term vision-- if only you can see it at first, that is ok.
  3. Steer - You may have an image of what a "perfect product" looks like, but you have no idea how the market will respond until you get into the market and get your product in front of customers. It's hard, but spend the minimum you can to get a version of your product out there to gauge responses and give yourself time to adapt and innovate. People spend too much time planning, preparing, and designing behind closed doors. What if you spend too long creating the perfect product that no one wants? Get something out there and innovate towards what people want.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://cerusfitness.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CerusFitness/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cerusfitness/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3IQVOhh

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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