Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jim Goetz, Founder of Functionised, located in Colts Neck, NJ, USA.

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

My business is called Functionised. It is the combination of optimize and function. Creating better function---> improve human performance. The title is in the past intentionally as if we are already living the lifestyle (some of us are) to create better versions of ourselves daily both mentally and physically, spiritually and now incorporating financial health as well.

Our customers are patients and clients looking to improve themselves in some manner and do it in a time-efficient manner. Our customers typically consist of professional athletes, corporate executives, and professionals such as attorneys and local business owners.

Tell us about yourself

Functionised was decades in the making. It was a combination of experiences rolled into one. The one constant in the formation of Functionised was that it was worked on daily. There was constant progress being made behind the scenes before the brand was ever even organized.

Intrinsic motivation has always driven me. It's driven me at times a little too hard and rough, but nonetheless, the road ends up smoother the more it's driven. I personally have always had a passion for self-improvement and achievement, and Functionised has given me the opportunity to develop and evolve these techniques each day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It will sound like a joke, but my biggest accomplishment as a business owner is to keep my wits about me. I put in probably 14-hour days, put in another couple of hours of training for OCR, and raised 3 amazing young women and a little man (14, 9, 7). Each day is a balancing act where a mild breeze in the wrong direction will throw this balancing act into turmoil. In reality, this is a daily happening, so learning to pivot daily and be resilient has been key.

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

The one thing that stands out as a business owner is having multiple layers of tough skin. Those who you thought were friends are not. Patients/ clients/ members are only friendly on the outside, but the majority, unfortunately, are quite selfish and will pull you over hot coals over such insignificant reasons. As a business owner, you will surely see the unpleasant side of humans. It's best to live in a bubble of ignorance and focus daily on productivity and, most importantly, positivity.

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

  1. There is no perfect. If you think there is, you are already behind in the game, trying to create steps that will already support your weight. There is instead good enough. Make sure good enough is above and beyond good and move on.
  2. Pivot or die. The world has gone through a cleansing process and continues to do so. The weak have fallen, and some of the weak are about to finally fall. Do your research on the market and how it applies to you daily, and make the best choices as you see them ahead of time. Once something happens, it's too late. Be proactive and not reactive.
  3. Do something because you have a true passion for it and can visualize yourself doing it until you breathe your last breath here on this earth. If you do something for money, glory, fame, others, etc., you will begrudge your days and become a shadow of your true self. Do something because you love it, and you will never work a day in your life, and best of all, you will truly thrive!

    When I was working in the community clinic as a student physician, I heard all my classmates tell me they were doctors because they wanted to help people. This sounds nice, and it is extremely noble. In my experiences, it's the people you help most who take you for granted most and, as a result, walk over you and cause you harm (i.e., not paying their bill despite the fact they came in a wheelchair and they can now walk). I changed my mindset from helping people to realizing how much I absolutely LOVED diagnosing and treating. The diagnosis gave me an opportunity to be a real-life Sherlock Holmes and utilize the clues given both verbally and through testing to solve the mystery of the source of dysfunction. It literally got me up in the morning and powered me through each day. As a result, I became a far better physician, and more people got well than if I was doing it for "noble causes." Do what you love because you love it, and do it as if no one is looking, and you will inevitably find success in what you are doing.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Everyone wears the t-shirt that reads "Beast Mode." Do you need a shirt to tell the world you are in beast mode? It seems like a lot of wasted effort. Those in beast mode are too busy being the beasts they are. Now burn the shirt and go conquer your world!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.functionised.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/functionised
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functionised/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chanteagoetz3
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgoetznewjersey/

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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