Adriana's at Renton Technical Community College

This weekend I spoke at the Renton technical college in a panel setting. There were young professionals as well as students interested in why and how we started our business. There were four of us: from online to a multi million dollar company. This opportunity really helped me think of the business and why I started it.
Most of you have been with me for a long time. I have seen your children grow up and you have seen me go from a single, young know it trainer to a store front business owner, to a wife and bonus mother! Now I'd really love to hear from you: have we accomplished the following?

Vision; My vision is always to empower individuals to take control of their health/fitness.

Mission: My mission is to get everyone to take and play an active role in self care of their bodies. We start with providing fundamentals of strength training as it relates to you! We have a community that will motivate you to continue in and out of the gym.

Here were some if the questions asked:

§  What inspired you to start a business? It was the most natural thing. I had been working for the company I was at for 3 yrs and I saw no movement. I loved the industry I was in, but hated the company.

I had talked about my dreams with my clients, because they became my friends and they supported me by holding my feet to the fire!. One was about to re-sign and ask me who was she going to re-sign with: me or the current company? That was the push I needed.

§  How did you know this business was right for you? I wanted to serve, support encourage and empower people and my career offers that at many stages of our lives: Weddings, divorces, marriages, healthy moms, after Physical therapy for an injury, or simply to have more energy. I started later in life and I feel like I can relate more to people because of it. It was the natural thing to move into.

§  What is your definition of success? To be able to do want you love to do for the majority of your day. To be able to lay your head on your pillow at night knowing I'm doing my part. To have enough time to spend with your loved one and lend a hand.

§  Did you have a mentor or someone who influenced you? Always. I was always blessed in different stages of my life to have some who took me by the hand. I just had to ask for help, social workers, teachers, people in the career I wanted to be in. To coworkers to marketing directors. Like Robbin Block, Miekos'  owner,  Whitney Keys. ;)

§  Have you had to adapt and change in any way due to the economy?  Yes, I opended during a recession so I offered classes for free for a membership. Programs.

§  If you could start your business all over again, what is one thing you would you do differently? Get a partner I can trust who is better in one department, business management, employee management, or personal training director.

§  What tip do you have for someone starting a business? Take someone who you admire in that business out and ask lots of questions. Start small, you can always grow.
I learned that I have to refine my niche and looking at Business Plan monthly and try different ways to hit your goals.