Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lauren George, Founder of Lauren George Fitness, located in Starkville, MS, USA.

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

I own Lauren George Fitness which is a virtual fitness studio. My goal is to make boutique-style fitness classes available to my clients no matter where they live! You can turn your living room, hotel room, or backyard into your own personal fitness studio. With 175+ On-Demand Workouts, 12 different class formats, pop-up live-streaming classes, challenges, and the best tribe around, we make reaching your health and fitness goals a party!

I also own a fitness consulting business called The Fit Biz Club and have created two fitness certifications in Pumped Up Strength and Barre Above.

Tell us about yourself

My passion is helping others discover that they can actually enjoy exercise! I started teaching group fitness classes when I was a freshman in college. Over the last 15 years in the industry, I have created multiple fitness formats and educational workshops, run group fitness programs at large health clubs and university campus recreation centers, and trained thousands of new instructors. Additionally, I created a brand new group strength program called, Pumped Up Strength, The Musicality Method virtual instructor training, co-created the Enhanced Barre Above Program, served as Program Specialist for Balletone, consulted on numerous fitness projects for other companies, and am adjunct faculty for Non-Profit Leadership at Clemson University. Outside of the group fitness studio, I have also had the pleasure of launching multiple businesses, including Clemson Fitness Company, a boutique fitness studio in Clemson, SC, the Fit Biz Club, PulsePointe barre, and the LG Fitness Virtual Studio.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

In November of 2021, I launched the first-ever virtual Pumped Up Strength certification and certified over 305 instructors in 8 different countries! Since November, we have certified over 600 instructors in 10 countries, and the Pumped Up Strength program is taught in gyms all over the U.S.

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

I think realizing that you are never going to make everyone happy has been one of the hardest parts of business ownership for me. I am a people pleaser by nature and want to make everyone happy, but that is impossible, especially if you are trying to do what is best for your business while guarding your own sanity.

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

  1. Don't wait for "the perfect time," "you have it all figured out," or "you have the time to do it just right" to get started. You don't have to be able to see the finish line to start the race, and the same applies to starting your own business. If you know the next three steps, you need to take to move you closer to your goal, take those three steps, and then the next three will reveal themselves to you.
  2. It is easier to keep a customer than to find a new one. I think a lot of times, as a small business owners, we can get swept up in marketing and attracting new customers (especially through social media) that we forget the most important thing, which is serving our current customers to the absolute best of our ability. If you pour into serving your current customers, they will become even more loyal and hopefully share their experiences with others!
  3. If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will. Starting a new business is scary, and there will always be those that doubt you. If it is something that you are truly passionate about, go for it with everything you've got!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

One of the best parts of owning a small business is being able to partner and collaborate with other small businesses! Entrepreneurs are special people and are often eager to help each other. When you are starting out or looking for new ways to grow your business, I would highly suggest looking for other businesses in your area you can partner with. How can you support and promote each other in a way that can better serve both of your customers?

Where can people find you and your business?

Website:
https://www.fitbizclub.com/
https://www.pumpedupstrength.com/
https://laurengfitness.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenGeorgeFitness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurengeorgefitness/

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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