Your Home for Fitness

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brett Kirkland, owner of Zone 105, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.

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

Our business is Zone 105, and we are located in the heart of Edmonton, just a few blocks away from Rogers Place. Our community ranges from 11-year-old hockey players to 60-year-olds who are looking to live pain-free. Our goal is that every time you leave the studio, you feel better than you did when you came in.

Tell us about yourself

Strong, confident, and energized is how I feel after every single workout. I want everyone in the world to know what a post-workout high feels like because once you get a taste for it, it becomes extremely addictive. I became a personal trainer because I want to live in a world where there are no self-esteem issues. I want everyone to walk with confidence, be proud of who they are, and wake up feeling great. I figured that becoming a personal trainer was the best way for me to accomplish my goal.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I've owned personal training studios for 14 years, and one of the biggest issues I had, especially in the beginning, was balance. It took me close to a decade to learn to say no to certain things and to make more time for my family and myself. I have created a divide between business and personal life. That is my biggest accomplishment. I'm happy; I am a better father/husband, a better employer, and a better fitness coach. It's just like we preach to our client's-if you don't take care of yourself first, you'll never accomplish your goals.

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

I think the fear of letting people down. First and foremost, my family, even though I've been doing this for years, there is still uncertainty as a business owner, as we have witnessed over the past two years. Then our team- my biggest goal is for each of our coaches to make a great living and really enjoy coming to work every day. I want them to succeed so badly so that they can do all the things they want in their personal life. And obviously our clients- they support and invest in us. We are forever grateful for that. We want them to reach their goals, know that they are supported, and value our relationship/service.

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

In our business, it is all about the relationships you build. Get to know your community, learn what they do, who their family is, and ask a ton of questions. The stronger those relationships are, the higher your retention will be and the more successful you will be.
Start lean. You don't need every fitness toy there is and thousands of square feet. If you and your team deliver a good workout and create an amazing environment, people will work out in a cardboard box with you.
Only hire people you would go for a beer with. Make sure you truly enjoy the company of your staff; you're going to spend a lot of time with them. When you care about them, you truly have their best interest at heart, and they will have yours.

Use your contacts. We are so lucky to have such amazing, supportive people in this community. People want you to succeed and are happy to help.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://zone105.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zone105yeg

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/zone105yeg/
https://www.instagram.com/brettkirkland10/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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