Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rad Burmeister, Director of Unity Gym, located in Avoca Beach, NSW, Australia.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a mobile fitness app, For busy high achievers who like to train hard and stay in shape. Our program reinvents physical exercise to produce superior strength, flexibility, and fitness results with efficiently holistic 40-60 minute workouts. Although we serve men and women, 80% of our members are men, and our social media audience is around 85% of men. So our client avatar description is: 36 - 45 year old men with an annual income of >$70K (USD), and a history of regular exercise for 2+ years, who are juggling demanding family, marriage, and career commitments with finding time to exercise and maintain his health. Beyond working out, his interests include fiction and personal development books, the Joe Rogan Experience, Jordan Peterson and Huberman Lab podcasts, martial arts, MMA, calisthenics, weightlifting, yoga, investing in stocks and gaming. Prior to joining the UMS, it’s likely he found us on YouTube by watching our long form content, has purchased the 18-Minute Stretching Routine and read the Flexibility Blueprint.
Tell us about yourself
I was very passionate about martial arts when I was in my 20s, and becoming a personal trainer seemed like a good career. Seventeen years later, I'm now driven by success. I love developing my business with my two business partners Yani who is my brother, and Chris, who is our digital marketing manager. I don't like being away from work, as it's so exciting now that we are 100% online. I get up at 5 am to exercise, and I can't wait to start my day. It's so exciting seeing our new members sign ups overnight as our biggest market is in the USA, so I always get a lot of communication and new members overnight. I spend most of my day creating content and strategizing growth; it's very exciting.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Selling our gym in 2021 post-COVID and moving to a 100% online business, doubling our members in the first year.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Switching off, I struggle to leave work behind when I spend time with my wife and son.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Commit to the long run without any expectation of return in any set time period. I've been at this for 17 years and am only just starting to see the success I always dreamed of.
- However much work you think will be involved, it will be 10x more ... be prepared for that. If you're not willing to give up almost everything else you enjoy, I doubt you will get very far.
- Ensure your spouse is on board with the above two points. If they aren't, either your relationship will fail or your business will fail.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://unitygym.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitygym
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitygym/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/unitygym
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unitygymonline
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radburmeister/
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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