Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Steph Minor, owner of Peg Family Fitness, located in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Peg Family Fitness offers prenatal, postnatal, and family fitness classes! Moms with young children, pregnant moms, and young families are, therefore, our customers. We are based out of Winnipeg but also have classes in West St. Paul and Selkirk, Manitoba. We strive to empower and connect moms and other caregivers through movement and fun fitness classes. Our classes are designed so you can work out with your baby and/or young child(ren) in tow. Everyone is welcome. All fitness levels are welcome. All fitness classes are prenatal-friendly, and we also offer prenatal yoga!
Tell us about yourself
I have had a love for fitness and sport for as long as I can remember. I am a mom to two young boys, and I fell in love with mom and baby fitness classes after my first son was born. I took fitness classes through a business called Fit 4 Two and soon became a registered group fitness instructor through the Manitoba Fitness Council. I started teaching mom & baby fitness classes as a contract instructor for Fit 4 Two in 2019. In 2020 the Fit 4 Two franchise in Winnipeg closed, and I was offered the opportunity to re-brand and take over the business. Peg Family Fitness was born!
I want to share my love of movement with others, and I am thrilled to help create a space where moms can workout safely with their babies and young children alongside them. I strive to create a community where moms and other caregivers feel connected, empowered, and safe.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment was managing to start a viable business during COVID with two preschoolers at home! I had only recently started teaching fitness classes before the pandemic struck, so I really didn't feel ready to take on more responsibilities. Plus, our oldest child was about to start kindergarten, and our 2-year-old was at home full-time. But, the window of opportunity was open in the summer of 2020, and I took the chance. We found part-time daycare to begin in the fall, and I made all the applications to start the business. I was fortunate to have contacts from Fit 4 Two, but it was nerve-racking to take those first steps. Through hard work and dedication, the business was able to roll with the pandemic lockdowns and adapt to the needs of new moms who were in particular need of connection.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Time management is a challenge. When I've worked for other businesses, it's been much easier to leave concerns about work at work. But, having to suddenly adjust to working at home and feeling proud of what I was building meant a lot of long hours. Add that to having to manage child care if one of the children had even the slightest sniffle, and there were some very busy weeks.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Communicate: Obviously, the instability of the pandemic made interacting with clients difficult and sudden changes of plan necessary. But, this challenge is also an opportunity. When new public health guidelines were announced, I knew I would have to contact my participants. Rather than cancel the in-person classes, I was able to transition everything to zoom. I ended up with even more participants because the location was no longer an issue. Having active social media accounts and sending regular updates made this transition possible.
- Keep your overhead low: If you're willing to work hard, there are many ways that you can avoid major expenses like rent and licensing fees. Sure, opening a franchise of some sort may seem like a safer bet, but it might also take a long time to start paying off.
- Love it: Businesses make many demands of your time and energy. If you love what you do, you'll be able to make those commitments and have fun along the way.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.pegfamilyfitness.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pegfamilyfitness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pegfamilyfitness/
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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