Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bryan Preston, founder of Martial Arts Fitness Center, located in Marlton, NJ.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Martial Arts Fitness Center was founded in 2007. We specialize in fitness/nutrition for men and women, martial arts for children and adults. I am Level 2 Master Class Certified Precision Nutrition with other nutrition certifications. We also are the area's only FitRanX gym. FitRanX is a fitness ranking system that gives us a unique approach to fitness and our members. FitRanX gives our member's goals and fitness tests to show their progress. These two together make a powerful combination for results.
Our children's martial arts program is rooted in traditional martial arts with a modern approach. Our program helps children grow and develop respect, self-discipline, confidence, and more while learning real-world self-defense skills.
Our Adult Martial Arts program includes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Kickboxing, and Wrestling. This allows our students to train all aspects of self-defense and prepare themselves for any situation that they encounter. Our team is a family and everyone looks out for each other and helps each other grow. It's much more than just martial arts. Everyone makes everyone better and we grow together. Our mats are open to anyone know wants to train regardless of skill level.
Tell us about yourself
I've been training in martial arts for over 25 years. One of the first times I stepped foot onto the mats I thought to myself that I could see myself teaching one day. As a teenager, I really didn't know much more than that. It wasn't until almost 15 years later that became a reality. Martial Arts has always been a big part of my family. My father, 2 brothers, and sister all trained in martial arts. My mother was the only one who has not trained.
I truly enjoy helping people. Every day I get the honor of helping people reach their goals. Whether their goal is to lose weight, lift a heavier weight, take a step towards their next rank, I get to be a part of that. I get to watch them grow into who they become over the years, When a student comes to me with a success story or a goal they have achieved, that's pretty awesome. They are doing all the work, it's their sweat, tears, and hard work that makes it happen. I get the honor of being a part of that, that's the rewarding part.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We survived the housing market crash just about a year after opening. We could have packed it up but we didn't. We are surviving COVID. It's not easy but we will get through it. In a world where we are watching businesses close their doors left and right, we will push through and come out stronger. Even with all that, I think the biggest accomplishment is being in business for 15 years this year. Evolving and growing the business, seeing where we started and where we are today. Still not satisfied, we have big goals coming.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Balance/Time. I run about 90% of the operations here at the business. This creates challenges with everything from daily operations, marketing, teaching classes to cleaning. It is a lot to take on and I work long hours every day. I make it work but it takes planning on my part. I have to be on the ball or things are easily missed.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Do your research and know what you are getting into. The better plan you have going into your business, the more successful you will be and the smoother things will go.
Know your why. Why do you want to go into business? It needs to be something bigger than just making money. You can make money working any job. Think big, think about how you will help people or provide a service that they need.
There will be highs and lows. Ups and downs. You will have people close to you question what you are doing. That's ok! Do it for yourself and your reasons but do not apologize for what you believe in. If you have a dream, go for it. Take action, that is the key. The most successful people are the action takers. Every day, do some to grow your business or work towards your goals.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Find a mentor and surround yourself with people that share the same values and beliefs as you. If you want to be unsuccessful, hang out with unsuccessful people. If you want to be successful, hang out with successful people.
Mentors are one of the greatest tools that you can have when starting out in business. It is also something you should have for life. Even the most successful people in the world have mentors. They have been there before and have been through the challenges you face. They are someone you can turn to when you need advice. They will be truthful and honest with you and can help you work through the tough decisions. You cannot put a value on a great mentor, they are priceless.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/bpreston1597/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mafitness/
https://twitter.com/MAFitness_NJ
https://www.facebook.com/mafitness.marlton
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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