Thursday, 12th August 2021 – 8.45am (2 min read)
In the first 2 years I thought about quitting hundreds of times.
Everyone says the first two years of business are the hardest, right?
Statistics show 80% of new startups and business ventures don’t make it to the 2 year point.
In the early days, the target for myself was just to prove I could run a business and keep it going until the 2 year point.
In those days Simon Coles Fitness Services was just a part time venture of multiple location fitness bootcamps.
Later came 1-1 personal training.
I made it to year 2, but as year 3 and 4 came and passed – it didn’t get any easier.
Eventually, Simon Coles Fitness Services took ownership of a full fitness center.
In the first 18 months of owning the full gym I was pretty naïve to the fact it was gunna’ require this much graft, fortitude and mental toughness if I was gunna stay afloat for another longer than 12 months.
I thought after taking ownership of the gym that I had made it and life was gunna be easy and awesome.
I quickly faced some very challenging times, and again, had to learn, adjust, develop, progress – on the job.
Many times my alarm went off at 5.30am for another 15hr shift after 5 hours of sleep and coming off of a 15hr shift the day before…. I wanted to just pull the blanket back over my face and say fuck it, I’m completely done, that gym gate is not getting opened again.
Through those times I had to make a lot of operational changes and tough decisions, too.
For a lot of the time I worked 70/80 hour weeks, 15hr shifts most days – working 7 days per week – without ever a day off – and sometimes…. for no money at the end of the month in the tough months.
I made the 5 year milestone in business.
Stats say 93% of new ventures and startups don’t make the 5 year mark.
I was pretty proud that I’d managed to stay afloat – but that’s really all it was.
Year 6, 7 and 8 were better.
I was starting to see some reward. I thought about quitting way less. Maybe only a few times per month.
I had way less struggle days.
Year 8 was the best year I’ve ever had.
THEN………. BAMMMMMM………. COVID.
2020 was year 9.
I went from the best year I’ve ever had – to facing the hardest economical times for a business I think we’ve ever seen.
Thanks to the support and encouragement of all you guys – I managed to make it to the end of 2020 without needing to close for the last time, never to reopen again.
Then 2021 – It’s been tough. Through the political drama we’re all facing – it appears to be affecting people’s motivation to train and eat healthy.
Memberships are growing, but ever so slowly.
I can only assume the combination of the lockdowns, restrictions, limit on socializing, lack of ability to holiday + drinking too much and eat poorly — has had an effect on people’s drive to want to take responsibility for their health, fitness & body shape.
Either way – today marks my TENTH year anniversary.
Over the last couple of weeks I’ve really thought about the fact I’m glad that – when the going got tough – I didn’t quit back then.
The expenses of running up until this point are just shy of HALF A MILLION QUID.
Due to the pandemic, the future is uncertain.
I do need more members, and I do still have big plans that require more expenses.
Whilst I’m pretty happy that I pushed through severe anxiety, stress, depression, chronic fatigue and burnout and didn’t give up – I still couldn’t have made the 10 year anniversary without YOU!
So, I just want to say – THANK YOU!
For the support, the encouragement, referring friends, posting on socials.
I truly appreciate everything!
I’ve tried my best. I’ve learned on the job from day one. I have no board. I have no 3rd party investment. I have no rich family.
Just a local lad passionate about helping people get truly fit, healthy & happy!
The future is uncertain – but with your support my aim now is the 15 year milestone.
In a post COVID world it’s gunna be difficult, sooo…..
If any of you reading aren’t already members and fancy getting fit & healthy again……… 😀
…. It’s £19.95 rolling for a standard gym membership!
In all seriousness though – in celebration of reaching the 10 year milestone there’s still membership & PT offers running throughout August, the gym is still quiet for the most part (apart from a Monday evening at peak time).
So if you or a friend/family may wanna’ join …….. >>> Contact Us! <<<
