Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fitness and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Meghan Cooney, Owner & Master Instructor of The Bar Method Livermore, located in Livermore, Tracy, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
At The Bar Method Livermore and Tracy, we offer group barre classes that focus on low-impact strength training. Through our intelligently-designed exercises and classes, we help improve posture, balance, flexibility, core strength, and, best of all - confidence! Our highly-trained instructors adjust and modify students throughout class, so you get a personal training experience with every visit. Plus, we love hosting events, fitness challenges, and workshops that keep our members motivated and connected! Our customers are women who prefer a low-impact workout and are seeking strength, flexibility, and good posture.
Tell us about yourself
I earned my certification as a Bar Method instructor in 2016 because I fell in love with the workout and how it made me feel. As a lifelong athlete, I have always pushed my body to the limits in order to compete. Once I was done playing collegiate sports, I wanted a workout that was challenging and effective - and also sustainable. During a Bar Method class, I shake and push myself to my limits, yet I still feel empowered afterward to crush the rest of my day and take the class again the next day! Before becoming a studio owner, I was a content marketer who worked at a computer all day long. It didn't inspire me the way that fitness and sports do. What I enjoy most about my work now is the opportunity to ignite a passion for fitness and strength in other people. Working out shouldn't feel like a chore or a punishment. You should enjoy your workout and the way it makes your body feel. I have always worked out because it's essential to my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Witnessing others find and experience that same feeling motivates me every day!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is keeping my studio in Livermore afloat during pandemic closures. (The Tracy studio opened afterward in early 2022.) The studio was only 10 months old when we had to shut down for over a year on and off, with highly restricted capacity when we were able to reopen. I attribute our survival to my team's efforts to run virtual and outdoor classes, as well as the loyalty and passion of our amazing members!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest aspect of being a business owner for me is feeling too close to the work and taking things too personally. When you work so hard to build a business and manage all the various parts of it, things like losing clients, negative reviews or comments, and so on can take a huge toll and cause you to doubt your abilities and actions. In those moments, I reflect on the amazing people I have on my team, the progress we've made, and the lives that we've touched to re-inspire me!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Advocate for yourself, your business, and your community when called to do so. You know your business better than anyone, so don't be afraid to speak up.
- Take on the tasks and roles that you enjoy and have the time for. Delegate the ones you don't! For example, I am not a fan of posting on social media, and the daily upkeep is too time-consuming. So instead, I have a reliable social media manager who not only enjoys the task but does it much better than I ever could.
- Take breaks and find balance. While my two studios keep me super busy, I also find time to coach football, garden, and spend time with family and friends to avoid burnout.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website (Livermore): https://barmethod.com/locations/livermore/
Website (Tracy): https://barmethod.com/locations/tracy/
Facebook (Livermore): https://www.facebook.com/TheBarMethodLivermore
Facebook (Tracy): https://www.facebook.com/TheBarMethodTracy
Instagram (Livermore): https://www.instagram.com/barmethodlivermore/
Instagram (Tracy): https://www.instagram.com/barmethodtracy/
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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