Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kelly Enston, Founder of KellyKinetix, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are in the business of providing people with resiliency to enable them to adapt to a changing world. At KellyKinetix, we change lives through Dance and Fitness. Through every interaction, our community is healthier, stronger, happier, and far more confident. Your journey is a shared experience. We celebrate our clients. We help busy women that recognize they need support to start or restart their fitness journey to successfully gain strength, mobility, and flexibility through the alternative route of dance supplemented by strength training.
Tell us about yourself
I've been active in dance since the age of 5 and have studied many dance forms. I also have, off-and-on since childhood, been involved in different sports ranging from track and field to dragon boat racing, ultimate frisbee, and later on, combat sports like Muay Thai and boxing.
While pursuing my B.A., I recognized the importance of staying active but did not understand the importance of strength training. This mindset followed me through my career, and at 29, I decided to go back to school to become a registered nurse. I felt the pull to do something more challenging and rewarding than being a medical secretary, and since I've always loved science and helping people, I felt being an RN would be a great natural progression in my career. However, after having done clinical placements in different environments, I realized I did not want to work in hospitals, and I wanted nothing to do with night shifts. This was the first time I realized the impact a career of this nature would have on my health.
PERSONAL TRAINING/HEALTH
Upon finishing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I gained 20 lbs and finally decided to get a personal trainer. At the same time, I also started to train others as a personal trainer! This was the best thing I ever did! Within 2-3 months, I phased out all my nursing hours and focused solely on training clients. Why? Because I realized that personal training is a better avenue for health promotion and disease prevention.
As a personal trainer, I help people with their health in a motivating and positive atmosphere. The skills and knowledge I have learned to become a Registered Nurse, coupled with the skills and knowledge learned as a Personal Trainer, work hand in hand. With personal training, I see people's improvements and life-changing results on a regular basis. It is rewarding to know that I have helped someone learn how they can keep themselves as healthy and strong both physically and mentally for as long as possible.
In my early thirties, it didn't matter how much dancing and running I did; I wasn't losing weight because I wasn't building muscle. I later learned how to correct posture, correct muscle imbalances, and create better movement, mobility, and flexibility. Because of my diverse experience and skills, I have a new direction for my business.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
- Developing an internship program.
- Being honoured with two awards:
- Canada Prestige Award for Best Dance Fitness Instructor of the Year, 2022
- Woman on Fire Award (International), 2023
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Finding the balance between work life, personal life, self-care, and social life and also having the finances to spend time on my hobbies.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- I recommend you find an amazing mentor and/or business coach to help you from the moment you make the decision to start a business on your own. And if you did what I did and didn't do that, get a coach ASAP. Even if your business has been around for a while, you can only benefit from an amazing coach.
- Always take actions that will allow your business to be seen and visible on a consistent basis. The minute you stop, everything shifts, and you need to start all over again.
- Be patient and enjoy the process. Results do not happen overnight.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.kellykinetix.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellykinetix
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellykinetix/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kellykinetix
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellykinetix/
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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