Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kentrell Jones, Founder of Trell Nation Fitness LLC, located in New York, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I have been a personal trainer for almost ten years and have been doing group instruction since 2020. I started Trell Nation Fitness to provide clear health and wellness knowledge in a way that my community could see success and also to remove the rigid stigma of what a healthy body is or looks like. My clients are normally adults who live within the five boroughs of New York and are looking to reach various fitness-related goals that include proper dieting, fat loss, muscle gain, and endurance.
Tell us about yourself
After lifting in commercial gyms for some time, I began to notice there were many misconceptions and inaccuracies being exchanged at the gyms I attended. Being into fitness since a teen and constantly educating myself on the principles of strength training, I felt it was my responsibility to provide factual information for my fellow gymgoers. Once I finally decided to become a trainer, I left a decade-long career in the food industry to intentionally seek out individuals in search of the right tools to safely reach their goals.
Harlem is a historic neighborhood that continues to evolve, but somehow we are still lacking in the fitness space. I want to share what I know about training smart and building healthy habits to fit every lifestyle. There are many motivating factors in my work. First, my motivation comes from the commitment of my clients. I show up knowing they are invested in their health, and that can potentially spread to their families, co-workers, and friends. Also, my daughter Bliss sees me doing something I love, and hopefully, that will motivate her to do the same. Lastly, I believe fitness can always progress in some way. I'm always motivated to see a client add five more pounds to the bar or cut a few seconds off their marathon time. It keeps me going.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The COVID-19 pandemic was a true test for me as a trainer. However, a number of my clients were still able to reach milestone goals through it all. Staying in business by going completely virtual while elevating their standard of health in such a trying time is surely the best thing I've been able to accomplish as a coach and entrepreneur. I also began to explore group instruction via Zoom, and it helped broaden my audience and become more open to other opportunities.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Being your own boss in a sole proprietorship takes a ton of discipline. You have to remain accountable at all times and use all 24 hours wisely. There are always distractions or opportunities for downtime, but you have to tell yourself to put the business first. Managing your time is key. One other tough part of entrepreneurship is knowing when to ask for help. I've learned it's important to have other professionals in your field that can be a mentor and guide you on ways to acquire outside resources that will decrease your workload and help the business run smoothly. Eliminating ego can be tough in business, but it's important to know when you've reached your capacity or if something is outside of your area of expertise.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Pay for or set up systems early on that will help your business run more efficiently as you progress. In the beginning, you will be able to handle a lot on your own, but there will be a time when you will have to hire and delegate responsibilities, so solid systems will make that transition easier.
- Cater to a niche audience. Develop that audience by providing an experience they can only get from you.
- Understand how to manage your finances and keep a detailed record of EVERYTHING.
- Reach out to successful, experienced colleagues in your field that you trust. Their experience will provide the answers when you don't have them.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.thinktrainbuild.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trellnationNYC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trellnationfit/
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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