Eat Well, Move Well, Recover Well

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Matthew Kostek, Owner of Matt K Training, located in Northampton, MA, USA.

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

I am a Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach. Through my exercise and nutrition coaching programs, I help active adults eat, move, and recover well. Many of my clients are middle age men and women (30-60) who have been sedentary for some time and have decided it's time to improve their fitness and get stronger. Others are experienced exercisers who are training for athletic competition. Quite a few are runners looking to improve their performance.

Tell us about yourself

After twenty-plus years in the fitness industry, as well as a ten-year stint in academia, I wanted to fully capitalize on my skills and experience, as well as enjoy the benefits and satisfaction that come with owning a business. I am regularly motivated by the achievements and success I see in my clients. I simply enjoy watching folks succeed and embrace the positive effects that accompany better health and physical performance.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Truthfully, I don't see any of my accomplishments as a business as "big." So far, it has been a series of small but positive victories. Having said that, perhaps the biggest one would be the point when Matt K Training became my main source of income, or rather, where I was able to support myself solely through my business. I'm not quite sure when that point came exactly, but it certainly didn't happen right away. In the past, I had other attempts to become independent that fell short; this one has and continues to grow steadily.

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

The hardest thing is recognizing when, and then actually switching, hats. As a "solopreneur," I wear the "Owner" hat, the "Trainer and Coach" hat, the "marketing and sales hat," and the "Manager/Operations hat." That switch isn't just about changing the tasks you are doing but also changing your perspective and mindset as well. Some days I switch hats multiple times; it can be very tiring!

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

Realize that once you start a business, you are no longer only a "technician" of your trade, you are a business owner and must think like one. For instance, you may be a very magnanimous, empathetic person, but a business only survives when it makes a profit; thus, sometimes difficult decisions must be made and made by a business owner.
Be patient. Don't be afraid to adjust your long-term goals. The journey from start to becoming viable is longer than you think.
Practice self-compassion. Your to-do list will grow exponentially, but your time and energy will not. Give yourself a break, keep your list small, and your expectations reasonable.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.mattktraining.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EatMoveRecoverWell
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewkostek/

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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