Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in boutique gyms, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Karl Tettmann, the co-founder of FitRiders Inc., based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.

Tell us all about your business...

FitRiders is an online fitness program that strategically designed fitness routines that target specific muscle groups used by adventure riders.

What's your background and motivation to grow as a business owner?

I am a fitness and health fanatic, have been since high school, and have also been an entrepreneur since the age of 18. FitRiders is my 7th business in my 30 years in business. FitRiders all started from an opportunity at a meeting with a business colleague who saw how fit I was in the boardroom and asked me to help him get fit to ride across Mongolia on his adventure bike. From his exceptional riding adventure in Mongolia, we formed FitRiders to help motorcycle riders get fit and stay healthy for a safer, confident, and longer ride eliminating typical riding injuries. As our slogan states, "Fit for Any Adventure." My motivation every day is that it's fun! Running a business, you learn from years of experience, which includes failures and successes. But the key to keeping going every day is it has to be fun otherwise, as a true entrepreneur, you lose interest and move on to another idea. So keep it fun!

As an entrepreneur, what does success ultimately mean to you?

To have always been around for my kids and wife. Twenty-six years of marriage and two beautiful, intelligent kids finishing off University who love to spend time with us. My biggest accomplishment is my family, me controlling my future as a CEO to accomplish that is the driving factor.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being an entrepreneur?

The hardest thing as a business owner, it's all up to you, baby! Learn quickly along the way; it's never simple. It just gets easier with experience. No complaining, no excuses because nobody likes to hear that from a CEO.

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

  1. Validate your idea. Then validate it again. There's a difference between a good idea and a good business decision.
  2. Find excellent mentors to surround yourself with who will guide you when it gets complicated.
  3. Be patient and humble; over time, you will be wise. The definition of is Wisdom = knowledge + experience - ego.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

This business model, the subscription model, is genius!!! Build it once and make money on it over and over again. Don't be afraid to fail. You will learn more from your first failure than a win. The key is to try again; the knowledge you have gained from your first try is priceless and increases your success chances. The humble and honest, successful entrepreneurs (the wise ones) will share their failures along with their successful ventures. There's more to learn from what they learned from their failures than the puffy success stories. ;-)

Where can people find you online?

Website: https://www.fitriders.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karltettmann/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as an entrepreneur or business coach that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.