Fitness Bootcamp Business Success Story
I want to tell you a little about my friends and Bootcamp Blueprint members Nancy & Dean Carlson. I think you’ll find the story about their fitness business inspiring and educational…
In May of 2008 Nancy & Dean Carlson opened Get Fit NH Bootcamp with one paying member and 7 friends that thought they were a little crazy but were willing to try it out.
They started outside in their backyard, but knew they needed an indoor facility as winter in New Hampshire isn’t outdoor camp friendly.
After looking at a variety of options Nancy & Dean ultimately decided to open their first facility on their own property – which they opened in October 2008.
When they joined BCBP in December of 2008 they had grown to 4 classes a day with about 35 members total, and revenues of around $2900 a month. Not bad – but nothing close to where they wanted to be.
During this time Dean was working 50+ hours a week at a firm he had been with for just over 9 years, and they were trying to grow the business in a way that would let him leave his job and run our their company full time.
According to Nancy ‘Joining BCBP kicked everything up a notch, gave us new ideas and the path to take action and implement.’ They opened class number five by renting space in what turned out to be the premier dance academy in Concord, NH in June 2009 as demand for their services grew.
Class six came at the Concord location a month later. Dean was slowly whittling his hours at his “job” and was down to about 40 each week at this point.
They started class number seven in the late afternoon at our original facility in September 2009. Dean was down to 25-30 hours.
December 2009 (one year into BCBP) was a real turning point. They had members driving to their 5:00am class from over 35 miles away that didn’t want to come that far in the winter – so they took a leap and opened a 5:00am in Concord, pulling six members out of the class at their facility and hiring an instructor.
This became their biggest class.
By this point Dean was now just doing some consulting on a very limited basis with his old firm, and by February 2010 was completely done.
Today Nancy and Dean have 120 clients with revenues exceeding $15000 per month for the first time in March 2010 and are starting a youth athletic program with their employee Tyler while also looking at other expansion opportunities.
Now Nancy and Dean get to spend more time with their 3 kids (all under the age of 7). In fact, as well as teaching 4 classes, Nancy actually home schools the kids too.
They have a growing Fitness Bootcamp Business. They have members they love. Dean was able to quit his job and work in their business. They get to spend more time with their children.
I’m not saying it was easy – and I’m sure Nancy and Dean will tell you the same – but the rewards are obvious.
As you can see, this was steady progress. They didn’t just go from 1 paying camper to 120 in a month. They stayed the course, worked their plan and actually were able to reach their goal of Dean leaving his job a lot quicker than they initially had hoped.
So hopefully you can see why I was so excited to share their story. It’s a great example of what’s possible for a Fitness Bootcamp Business if you know what you want and you’re willing to do what it takes to get there.
Dedicated to your fitness business success,
Pat Rigsby
Pat Rigsby is a Co-Owner of the International Youth Conditioning Association & the youth fitness franchise Athletic Revolution as well as a fitness industry consultant serving thousands of personal trainers and fitness entrepreneurs. Sign up for his fitness business free newsletter to discover proven marketing, sales and business strategies, along with blog updates, news, and more! While you’re at it, follow him on Twitter.
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Very true…I know they have worked hard and invested in there business knowledge….they are good people:) and deserve all the rewards they are reaping
I just wanted to express my gratitude for everything Pat and the others involved with BCBP have done for us and mean to us. It takes hard work and perseverance, but surrounding yourself with great people doesn’t hurt either!
Congratulations to Nancy and Dean on their success!
Combining a “Blueprint” for success with some determination and hard work is going to pay off every time.
Congrats to Nancy and Dean!
My story is similar in many ways and I will be the next success story!
Congratulations Nancy and Dean!
Great story and I wish you continued success!
Congratulations! Glad to hear that everything is going well for you.
Thank you everyone! We are a work in progress. I can’t wait to hear other stories that will push us even harder.
Awesome work guys! Keep up the hard work! Proof that if you have a great passion and work ethic you can make all your dreams come true!
How great is getting paid to do what you love?
Very inspiring and energizing story. Much like Dean a couple of years back, I have a “day job” which regularly causes my soul to drip out of my ears. Fitness and helping people get “healthier, happier, and hotter” are my passion and calling. I started Captain Quinn’s Fitness Boot Camp back in February and I’m bumping along now at three locations and about 25 campers. A solid start but only the beginning.
Having recently become a BCBP member and armed with the insights, tools, stories, and energy of this collective team, I’m looking forward to kicking the doors wide open in the months ahead. As is the case for any of us, the tools and the building blocks are all there. The “secret sauce” (which is not so secret) is the key: Relentless Execution. Plan the work and work the plan.
Thanks again to everyone who contributes directly and indirectly to this blog.
Jon “Captain” Quinn
Thanks for the inspiration!
Congrats to Dean and Nancy! That’s awesome and keep up the great work.
Great job guys!!
Keep pushing through and keep having fun doing what you do. Write down and keep track of everything you do well, that brings in business and throw away what doesn’t work. Pretty simple. Having a “blueprint” is awesome too.
Kri
Wow! All that with 3 kids under 7 and home schooling
That’s amazing dedication! Nancy and Dean you’re awesome!
Jess
Wow is right! Just goes to show what’s possible when you want something bad enough.
Kevin Yates
Thanks everyone – much appreciated!
Pat
Very motivating and inspiring post, joining BCBP definitely is a good start for fitness business. Thanks for sharing.
Congrats to Nancy & Dean, keep up all the good work.
Rick Kaselj
http://www.ExercisesForInjuries.com
Nancy and Dean,
Great to hear about your success! Keep up the awesome work! You truly stand for what it takes to succeed in this world!
Keep holding down the New England Boot Camp Fam!