Fitness as a Vehicle to Change Lives

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health & fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dan Bryan, Co-Founder of Mosaic Concepts, located in Stafford, VA, USA.

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

Our mission is to help people break through to the best version of themselves and their lives through movement, meditation, and manifestation programs and retreats. We use fitness as a vehicle to change their lives. Our customer is the world.

Tell us about yourself

I'm a runner, and after years of running on 6 of the world's seven continents and in 48 countries, my wife noticed my fire for running was dipping. She worked at the gym and said they needed a coach to teach new runners to run a 5K and thought I should volunteer. I did, and it went great, but I felt much about running was intuitive. So at the end of the course, I thought everyone was friendly when they thanked me profusely for the training.

I was asked and volunteered the following year again. The same happened with people beaming ear-to-ear while thanking me and sharing how much this accomplishment meant to them. At this point, I realized running wasn't intuitive, that these people were sincere in their thanks, and that I had something to offer others through running, so I got certified as a running coach. Around this time, COVID hit, and the gym where my wife worked was closed, and she was sent home.

As a group exercise instructor, personal trainer, and yoga instructor with over 500 hours in certifications, she realized COVID was going to play havoc on people's health even if they didn't get COVID. She knew that even more than ever, people cooped up at home needed exercise to help keep them mentally and physically healthy, so our company Mosaic Concepts was born.

I guess you can say our business is a COVID baby and that out of lemons, we made lemonade. My wife's heart, as one who has worked in the fitness industry for decades, saw the need and how we could help our community, nation, and even the world.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As a running coach, my biggest accomplishment is seeing people who have never run before cross the finish line of their first 5K. These are people who, for one reason or another, wrote off running in their life but were willing to try.

As a result, they did something that many started thinking would never happen, but I knew they'd make it. I teach my clients to run pain-free from day one. I tell them – you'll get the finishers' medal. That is just a bonus and not the real point of the training. I show them how to enjoy the journey while running and win the marathon of life.

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

Managing all the technology is one of the hardest things about business owners. It's excellent and beneficial, but it requires expertise and time to get it to do what you need. Both knowledge and time are items that are a premium to a small company.

Hiring is the best way to overcome the myriad of activities required to keep a business running. Still, hiring happens slower than the need, so work-life balance becomes a challenge. Yet, seeing people grow and have breakthroughs is worth it.

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

First, you must be passionate about your business idea. If you lack passion, you can fake it for a while, but if it's not there soon enough, you won't put the energy, time, and money into it, and the business will die.

Second, get a business coach. A good one is worth every penny. You can figure it out all alone, but it will take years. A good coach will keep you from reinventing the wheel, tell you what works and doesn't, and provide insight into hiring, pricing, costs, advertisement, and more. Also, a good business coach will keep you accountable to meet deadlines and help you think through issues when that voice in your head has you confused about turning right or left (which happens more often than you'd think).

Third, get help from your local small business administration. They often partner with local universities and offer free classes on setting up a business. They are an excellent resource for getting started. Lastly, celebrate the small victories. When the state issues your company certificate, frame it. Go to dinner when you buy your company domain for the whole world to see on the internet. Got that first dollar, state it. Have fun.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.mosaicconcepts.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MosaicConcepts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mosaicconceptsllc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoachDanBryan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbryanpublicprofile/

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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