Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Devan Gonzalez, founder and co-owner of Strive 11 Fitness, located in Tarzana, CA, USA.

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

At Strive 11 Fitness (STR11VE), we wanted to build a never give up culture, and our program allowed clients to push their bodies as well as their minds further than they thought they could. Helping people push through the fatigue and the muscles burning sensation that comes along with H.I.I.T. training and strive for progress, not perfection.

We didn't want to help people just lose weight or build muscle, but to help people burn fat, tone muscle, build endurance in those muscles, as well as help build up their cardiovascular system (strengthening your lungs and heart).

Tell us about yourself

I started working as a personal trainer during college because I loved working out, and it had flexible hours for school. Then I realized that I loved helping people take back their health. The self-confidence and happiness that my clients got from watching their bodies transform drove me to switch majors in college from business to kinesiology. I get up each day motivated to help push my clients and see the pride in their faces when they start talking about their results and how they have been getting compliments.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner so far is opening up our 1st physical location of STR11VE. The transition from self-employed personal trainer to small business owner with staff was and still is an adjustment, but I love every day I get to wake up and pull up to the gym and see STR11VE at the top of the building.

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

I would say that one of the hardest things as a business owner is realizing that once you are able to have a team (staff) that things that may seem like common sense or come natural may not to everyone or anyone else. Breaking down your processes such as sales techniques, body language on the floor, how one's actions/body language/tone of speech can be interpreted by others in a variety of ways, and how to avoid giving off any negative perception of what you say or do in relation to what you actually meant.

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

  1. Patience is key, but at the same time, there’s a difference between being patient and lazy waiting for someone to give you a handout.
  2. Always ask yourself why and how. How are they growing, or why are they growing? How/Why am I getting or not getting as much business as I would like. Always look for ways to improve your systems and processes because it can always be a little better.
  3. This one I put last because it may sound cliché but continue to grow your mind. Read, listen to audiobooks or podcasts, watch YouTube videos follow people you aspire to be on social media not for their selfie pictures but for the informational content they put out. There is so much information out there you can do or start any business you want if you take the time to research and learn about it. If you have a problem or something comes up with your business at any point, there is an answer out there. Just don’t throw in the towel. Never Give Up!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

A dream written down with a date becomes a goal.
A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan.
Now a plan backed by action that’s your reality.
So your reality could be you living your dream, just follow the steps.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.strive11fitness.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devan.gonzalez/

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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