Starting a Business at the Beginning of your Career
Gym Skills Cincinnati is a great example of how our scalable franchise model works! We have seen such great success in this gym since the beginning of its opening. Lisa Wu, COO of Gym Skills Franchise and Owner of Gym Skills Cincinnati shares her story about her success in the industry. She is a great role model for all young, female, and minority business owners! This year, Lisa has been able to grow her business even more by doubling the size of her facility!
What is it like owning a business at the Start of your Career?
It’s an exciting and thrilling journey to enter into the entrepreneurial space right at the start of your career. I had just graduated from The Ohio State University with a Biology degree when I started my journey to being a business owner. I had worked at the Gym Skills Columbus location from 2011-2013 and was excited to learn that I could turn my passion of teaching gymnastics into a career. I had never considered owning a business before I started working at Gym Skills.
Mobile to Facility to Expansion
“From the great success the Mobile Gym brought me, I was able to open up the Gym Skills Cincinnati facility in 2016! Now, we are expanding and our facility is doubling in size!”
Right after I graduated in 2013, I opened the Mobile Gymnastics program in Cincinnati. This was a great option for me as a young entrepreneur when I did not have a large budget. However, from the great success the Mobile Gym brought me, I was able to open up the Gym Skills Cincinnati facility in 2016! Kenny Crump, CEO, and Founder of Gym Skills was a great mentor to learn from and receive advice. I was eager to learn and soak in everything I could as I was growing the business. Navigating the world of being a business owner, and one of the best parts of my experience was that I had such an amazing support system from the company to help me through every step of the way.
My goal was to create a living and be financially successful doing something I was passionate about. Although I was young and had no prior business experience, I believe that the best place to start was going into a business where the values of fun, excitement, and enrichment are at its core. You see your opportunities expand as you become an owner of your own business. There are no limits to how far you can take it!
What are some challenges you faced starting your own business?
Like with any new venture you set foot in, preparation can only take you so far. There are experiences you go through where the true lessons are in the execution and the doing. There have been challenges I have faced with starting a new business, such as the learning curves of building into my business and figuring out the different systems and processes as I continued to move forward.
Leadership and Management of my Team
“I had to learn to let go and trust my team and systems to help scale my business.”
In my experience, the most challenging part is also the most rewarding part, in the leadership and management of my team. It takes hard work to cultivate and connect with your staff to continually work towards the long-term goals. I had to learn to let go and trust my team and systems to help scale my business.
I can say I have met and have relationships with some truly amazing people that in turn have taught me so much. In a service industry, your team of people is where your business thrives. You have to learn to open up and lean on them to succeed. We’ve created a strong network of people who believe in the Gym Skills mission and vision. There is a strong level of support, collaboration, and respect in our team, and it's cool to see the circle of trust between teams from both Gym Skills locations.
How is Gym Skills the Best Decision for You?
Owning a Gym Skills has been the best decision for me because it has brought me financial success doing what I truly love and found purpose in. As a recent graduate, I was not sure where my journey would take me but I knew that if I stuck to what I loved, I would succeed. Gym Skills was really able to help me grow into the business owner I wanted to be and supported all of my goals! I have thought of my journey as someone who paired passion with purpose to work towards making an impact on the kids we teach. Ownership has taught me about perseverance and being a strong leader.
Pairing Passion with Purpose
“I can be my own boss and inspire other future leaders to take a path of autonomy.”
I can be my own boss and inspire other future leaders to take a path of autonomy. I am able to create the life that I desire with flexibility so I can enjoy the things that matter to me most. It has taught me to think critically and look at situations from multiple lenses while building relationships with people who are in turn going to be your strongest support system. Whether that be your staff, your parents, and most importantly the kids.
It is so rewarding to see how communities form from my business. The experiences and memories that the kids have will last forever. More importantly, the lessons they learn will also carry along with them throughout their life. The greatest feeling is to have been able to make an impact on children’s lives by creating a safe space for all kids to have fun and enjoy coming to the gym, just like I did! In turn, we are helping the future generation become well-rounded and self-confident leaders.
Now, I am excited to be a part of growing the franchise and help create opportunities for those just as passionate, driven, and looking for ways to expand their opportunities in life as I was!
I hope that I can be a positive example to all young, female, and minority entrepreneurs, aspiring gym owners, and recent college graduates to go after their goals!