Gym Business - Business for Unicorns Podcast Episode 74: Jess Shares Her Systems to Creating her Gym Culture
Jessica is co-owner of Empower Personalized Fitness. She and her best friend and business partner at the time Ronda Williams founded the company in 2004 and shared the responsibility for all aspects of the business for the 15 years. Her main focus during that time was on marketing, client relationship functions, business growth strategies, and employee mentorship. In January of 2021, Jessica took over as sole owner of Empower and now is helping her small business not only recover from a global pandemic but RISE to new heights. Since opening in 2005, Jessica and Ronda built a thriving fitness community, an amazing dream team, a creative company culture, and a strong business that continues to grow and thrive. Their years of experience inspired them to create a signature fitness philosophy called ThinkFUN, Get Fit, Eat Well, Sleep Well and this formula has helped thousands of clients stay motivated to live fit and healthy lives.
In 2016 Jessica and Ronda launched Empower Partners Coaching and Consulting as their online personal development, coaching, and mentorship brand where they work specifically with a small number of wellness studio owners to help them systemize their business to maximize profits and free up their valuable time. With almost 25 years of experience in the health and wellness field, Jessica has evolved from a personal trainer and sole proprietor to become a leader in the fitness industry and she enjoys writing, speaking and mentoring the next generation of fitness professionals on topics related to business ownership, business partnership and balancing a successful career and a family.
Jessica is nationally certified and a North Carolina state licensed athletic trainer (retired). She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), a Sports Fitness Specialist (SFS), an active Beachbody Coach and a certified BLS Healthcare Provider trained in CPR + AED rescue by the American Heart Association. Jessica is an active member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the National Academy of Sports Medicine and IDEA Health and Fitness Association. Jessica received her B.A. in Exercise and Sports Science and her M.A. in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jessica is an entrepreneur at heart and loves the challenge and excitement of running a small brick-and-mortar fitness business and an online coaching and consulting company. When not working she can be found hanging with her husband, daughter, pup Luna and friends, exploring the great outdoors, traveling the world and enjoying great local foods and craft beers.
In this episode, Michael spoke with Jess about:- The systems she uses in her business to create a culture
- How she handles conflict with her team and with clients
- The importance of having consistent, organized, targeted meetings