Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shaun Franklin, founder of Coach SF Training, located in Plano, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach. My customers would be anyone who wants to learn how to start working out safely and effectively and those who are stuck with their current goals/routines and want to start getting results.
Tell us about yourself
When I started this career, my goal was to make people sweat, smile, and give them a good workout. Now, my goal is to help people by coaching them through the many facets of fitness, not just telling them what exercises to do but guiding them towards their goal(s).
I started my personal training journey in 2012. I have a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science, which made me feel entitled that I knew “everything” that needed to be known about being a personal trainer even though I had zero experience. Goodness was I wrong!
I have learned that personal training is not just about picking exercises and choosing sets and reps. It also includes the smaller aspects of it, such as building rapport, relationship-building, programming, corrective exercise, muscle imbalances, and nutrition. I have added more certifications and continuing education and learned more about the psychology of why people make decisions. Why does that matter? So I can add more value to my current clients and future clients.
My motivation to continue doing what I do is knowing that I get to help people feel and move better by guiding them to be a stronger, healthier version of themselves.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is when a client refers me to someone they know. I literally can't think of a bigger accomplishment than helping someone in such a way that they say good things about you to someone else. Wow, that didn't sound as corny in my head before typing it!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner would be finding the appropriate work/life balance. You're constantly thinking about the list that's written down or saved on your phone to make you or your business better. Or you happen to check your phone while at a family event, and you want to reply to a client who asked a question, but you also want to be present physically and emotionally for your family. "Oh, kiddo fell and bruised their knee. I need to attend to them! OH, WAIT! I need to leave THIS second to meet with a client!" That's just one instance that happened recently.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- There's never a "perfect" or "ideal" time to start, run, or grow a business. You need to do it NOW. If you don't, you'll either keep talking yourself out of doing it, finding reasons why you shouldn't, or someone else will set up a business just like yours that day, and they already have a jump on what you're trying to do.
- Find your appropriate work/life balance.
- Success doesn't happen to you; it happens because of you. Success depends on your effort and actions. No excuse exists that will make you successful.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://coachsftraining.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachSFTraining/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaunfranklinpt/
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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