HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CROSSFIT TYLER! PART 2

In part 2 of this anniversary special, we ask Brad and Amy about their decision to open their own box.

Did you ever imagine owning a box would be in your future? What were your goals before CrossFit came into the picture?

Amy: NEVER!!! We were eaten up with CrossFit and it dominated our conversations. We would watch videos and research everything we could find on it. It truly was the first time in a long time that we had a common interest and it brought us closer together. 

But, we never dreamed in the beginning that we would own a gym. I did enjoy coaching and ultimately started coaching more classes and Brad and I would work out together every day with a group of other coaches. We had a ball

Our goals were to try to stay in shape and look good in a bathing suit. We really did not have a fitness goal per se, but tried to get to the gym at least 3 days a week.  

Brad: Prior to CrossFit, no, I would have never thought of owning a box, but after a few months of CrossFit I was convinced I was called to open a gym.  I have never looked back.

Were you all-in from the get-go, or did you struggle with making the decision to open a box?

Amy: After less than a year of coaching, Brad and I started discussing opening a smaller gym that was affordable. Because the original CrossFit box was part of a Globogym, a lot of our friends could not afford it. We talked about opening a “Ford” dealership because we were currently at a “Cadillac” dealership.

We also believed that the city could handle another CrossFit gym (there were only 2 boxes at the time) and we could tap into the market and make it available for many more people that truly needed it. 

We did struggle a little with the decision, deciding if we could do it on our own. We considered bringing in a partner to help us. Our confidence in ourselves wasn't real high and we thought we would benefit from help.

​As it got closer to making the decision, I heard a clear message on the radio from Dave Ramsey, a very knowledgeable business man. He said “The only ship that sinks is a 'partner'ship”. That was all we needed to hear and the decision was made by Brad and I to go for it and take a leap of faith. AND WE NEVER LOOKED BACK!

Brad: All in!

When did you, and what prompted you to, start thinking about opening your own box?

Amy: We hear so many athletes say that they love CrossFit so much that they want to own their own gym. It is very important to have a passion and let that lead your decision, BUT it is easier said than done. 

​You have to LOVE people, ALL people and relate to their background and needs. You also have to understand that CrossFit is not for everyone. Just like with any business, there is a backside of the logistics and many do not grasp the “business” side of it.

Brad: We began spreading the word about a fun crazy workout that everyone should try but we were hit with the roadblock of cost. We wanted to make it available to more people. We wanted a more authentic gym layout and location.

What happened that helped you know it was time to take that leap and make the investment in yourselves and in the community?

Amy: Brad and I prayed and had a lot of late night discussions. We wanted to be affordable and wanted to create an environment where everyone felt welcome.

We saw a need in the community and the side of town that we wanted to place the gym would benefit from having CrossFit available to them.

​Again, we knew that the market had not been tapped into. We also knew if we did not open one soon, then someone else would. 

​My father was an entrepreneur and I grew up listening to his words of wisdom of owning a business and being your own boss. And better yet, Brad and I would be able to work together. How wonderful is that? ​

What fears did YOU have about it? Did your family have objections/hesitancy?

Amy: We trusted the program and believed that CrossFit was one of the best fitness models around. However, we were nervous about opening a gym. There were a lot of people that did not know what CrossFit was. So many had a preconceived notion that it was too much for them to handle. Many of our first months were spent explaining the program and convincing people to give it a try. 

​We sold some assets to invest in the business and we hoped that it would be a great investment. My original goal and fear was to meet our first month’s rent. I had a certain amount of members that we needed to do so and, by the grace of God, we met our goal. 

​Our family was very supportive. They knew we were adamant about the business and trusted we knew what we were doing. We did get some feedback from our renters when we told them what we were doing. They thought we were crazy! Ironically, they are some of our most loyal members now.

Amy: Brad was a full time Real Estate Appraiser and helped me in the evenings. It was very overwhelming in the beginning and I honestly did not know how I would manage long term. I had never run a business so there was so much to learn on the back side. Coaching the majority of the classes as well as running kids around was tough.

Brad did the best he could to help me. Our children lived at the gym and started to hate it the first year. Over time, the business started running smoothly and Brad and I figured out what worked and what didn’t work. The kids started enjoying coming because a lot of kids started coming with their parents. I soon started a CrossFit Kids class and they were very involved.

Brad and I decided after 2 years he would quit his job and help me full time. It only took 4 years to do so. In the meantime, we developed coaches within our community to help with coaching classes and I was so grateful.

After 3 years of business we had over 200 members and outgrew our first location. We had no idea this would happen and thank God for it. We bought some property and built a larger location to help with the growth. It was an amazing move and we never even imagined that would happen.

How did you announce your intentions to open a box to your family - kids, siblings, and parents - and friends? What were their reactions?

 Amy: Our friends and family knew how much we were eaten up with CrossFit, so it did not come as a surprise that we wanted to open our own gym. They were hopeful for us, but probably a little concerned that we would be successful because CrossFit was such a new business and Tyler had so many Globo gyms already.

Coming up in part 3 ... our members! Click here to read part 3.