Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in martial arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sean Fagan, Founder of Muay Thai Guy, located in New Paltz, New York, USA.

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

I’m Sean Fagan, aka. The Muay Thai Guy. I’m a professional fighter who started my own business over a decade ago aimed at spreading Muay Thai around the world. I create and sell at-home workout programs, as well as host 7-day Muay Thai Vacations all around the world.

My customers vary, from Muay Thai fanatics looking to sharpen their technique and fight skills to normal people who want to drop unwanted weight, get in tremendous physical shape & improve their cardio, mobility, flexibility, and overall fitness. The one thing that ties all my customers together, though, is a deep desire for self-improvement.

Tell us about yourself

I first got the idea to start my own business after reading The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. That’s how I realized I could create my very own life of freedom and not be tied down to one location or one weekly schedule. This was great news for me because, honestly, I was never able to keep a job for longer than a year at a time. I knew that I didn’t want to hold down a 9-5 desk gig, so Muay Thai Guy was born.

What keeps me going every day is the knowledge that what I do actually helps people. I get so many messages from customers telling me that my workouts helped them through COVID, that I helped them work through depression or injuries, or that I inspired them to actually step in the ring for a real, live fight. I feel like my work in teaching people how to do Muay Thai sits on the fence between “meaningful” and “fun,” – and that pushes me to keep doing what I do.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The fact that I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. I have no one telling me what to do. I get to decide what I can do. There’s a lot of freedom and self-confidence that comes from that.

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

Decision fatigue. All the decisions you have to make every single day. I’m talking about business decisions, of course, but also life decisions: how to spend my time in the wisest, most efficient way possible. As a business owner, you are the heart and soul of your business, which puts a lot of pressure on you to make the right decision (even when you don’t feel 100% confident in it). Learning to trust me and my decisions has been the deepest learning curve.

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

  1. Have clarity. Have a vision of why you’re creating a business. You need a clear vision of your “why,” as in, “Why do I want to create a business in this specific area?”
  2. Reverse-engineer your big-picture vision. You do this by emulating other people who are doing what you want to be doing. Steal their ideas and make them your own.
  3. Trust in the people you surround yourself with. If you’re not surrounding yourself with the right people, it’ll be really easy to doubt yourself because everyone will think and tell you that you’re crazy. You need to read books and find true mentors who fill your head with positive knowledge and education (and help you deflect other peoples’ negativity).

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

My ultimate business dream is to open a dog sanctuary + Muay Thai gym in Thailand. I will lead a simple life training Muay Thai and taking care of neglected animals. I would open it up to visitors from around the world. How cool would it be to sign up for a 7-day or 30-day training camp where you get to hang out with animals all day?

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.muay-thai-guy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themuaythaiguy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themuaythaiguy/

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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