1 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:06,160 Speaker 1: Ruby. 2 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:10,039 Speaker 2: The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are 3 00:00:10,039 --> 00:00:12,600 Speaker 2: solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent 4 00:00:12,640 --> 00:00:14,920 Speaker 2: those of into It QuickBooks or any of its cornerstone 5 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:18,240 Speaker 2: brands or employees. This podcast does not constitute financial, legal, 6 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:21,119 Speaker 2: or other professional advice or services. No assurance is given 7 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:23,800 Speaker 2: that the information is comprehensive, accurate, or free of airs, 8 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,759 Speaker 2: and the information presented is for general information purposes only. 9 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 2: In twit QuickBooks does not have any responsibility for updating 10 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 2: or revising any information presented. Listeners should verify statements before 11 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:37,920 Speaker 2: relying on them. 12 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:41,920 Speaker 3: Welcome back everyone. This is Mine the Business Small Business 13 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 3: Success Stories, a podcast brought to you by INTWD QuickBooks 14 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 3: and Ruby Studio from iHeartMedia. I'm Jinny's Torres. 15 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:49,560 Speaker 2: And I'm Austin Hankwitz. 16 00:00:49,760 --> 00:00:52,560 Speaker 3: Today we're coming to you from True Form Fitness Studio 17 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 3: in Nashville, Tennessee, and we're going to talk to another 18 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 3: incredible business owner and get the insights that we need 19 00:00:58,040 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 3: to maneuver through this crazy world. 20 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:02,640 Speaker 2: I'm really excited about this episode, Genius, because we're going 21 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,920 Speaker 2: to be talking about a specific topic that is one 22 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 2: of our favorites. 23 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 3: Is it money. 24 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 1: It is money? 25 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 2: Yes, the kind of money that you raise outside of 26 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 2: your traditional revenue stream to inject capital into an already 27 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:19,120 Speaker 2: established business, and the variety of reasons why this might 28 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:20,040 Speaker 2: be helpful. 29 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:23,480 Speaker 3: Yeah. I mean, when I started thinking about scaling my business, 30 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:25,840 Speaker 3: I realized I didn't want to just have to continuously 31 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:27,960 Speaker 3: empty out my bank account when I wanted to achieve 32 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:30,760 Speaker 3: that next business goal. So for me, funding has come 33 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 3: primarily from business credit. I utilize some business credit cards. 34 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:37,919 Speaker 3: I basically pay all my business expenses with credit cards, 35 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:41,080 Speaker 3: and so I get a chance to not only build 36 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:43,960 Speaker 3: my business credit, but also take advantage of cool rewards too, 37 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:45,680 Speaker 3: which are built into some of these products. 38 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 2: I'm right there with you. I also love my business 39 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 2: credit cards and the different rewards that come with them. 40 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:52,160 Speaker 2: And I think kind of going back to what Brandon 41 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 2: was talking about in our last episode, you know, using 42 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 2: a venture of sorts and seeing how that now becomes 43 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:00,680 Speaker 2: so successful that you can then take the cash from 44 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 2: that the extra profits and reinvest that into this next 45 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:06,880 Speaker 2: big idea or project you have as a small business owner. 46 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 2: And that is why I'm so excited for us to 47 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 2: talk with Kenzi Wesp, the owner of Trueform Fitness. 48 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:14,000 Speaker 3: Absolutely and this conversation is going to be a great 49 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 3: reminder why you should be using a platform like into 50 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:19,280 Speaker 3: It QuickBooks to cut through the clutter and simplify your 51 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:22,359 Speaker 3: business so you can strategize acquiring more capital. But enough 52 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 3: about us, let's introduce our guests. Kensy wesp is a 53 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:31,280 Speaker 3: Nashville local who has owned and operated Trueform Fitness since 54 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:34,799 Speaker 3: twenty twenty two. After a knee injury ended her dancing career, 55 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:37,920 Speaker 3: Kensey became interested in the Lagree method of low impact, 56 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 3: high intensity exercise. She was working at a fitness studio 57 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:44,119 Speaker 3: and nanning on the side when an incredible opportunity came 58 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 3: from seemingly nowhere and she was able to buy the 59 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 3: studio with an investor and become the owner and operator. 60 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 3: Before this, Kenzie didn't know anything about running a business, and, 61 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 3: as she puts it, couldn't even write a check. But 62 00:02:56,240 --> 00:02:59,280 Speaker 3: after diving in headfirst and clearing all the initial hurdles, 63 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:02,360 Speaker 3: she rebranded and steered True Form Fitness into such a 64 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 3: success that she was able to launch a second studio herself. Currently, 65 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 3: she runs studios in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee, where clients 66 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:12,959 Speaker 3: can study fitness via the Degree method and live true 67 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:13,840 Speaker 3: to themselves. 68 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:16,400 Speaker 2: Kenzie, thank you so much for joining us on this 69 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 2: episode of Mind the Business Small Business Success Stories. Really 70 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:22,760 Speaker 2: excited we're hearing your studio beautiful beautiful by the way, 71 00:03:22,840 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 2: Thank you. 72 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:25,520 Speaker 1: I'm so excited to be here. Thanks for coming on in. 73 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:28,120 Speaker 3: Let's start off with your origin story. Tell us how 74 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:29,080 Speaker 3: you started the business. 75 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:32,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, so my start is so unique. I am not 76 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:34,640 Speaker 1: going to sit here and say that I started it 77 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:36,680 Speaker 1: from the ground up, because that's actually not how this 78 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:39,360 Speaker 1: came to be. I was twenty one and had just 79 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 1: graduated college at Belmont University in Nashville, and had fallen 80 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 1: in love with this specific workout, more so because it 81 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:49,560 Speaker 1: had helped me heal an injury that I had had 82 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 1: from college. It had helped me mentally physically. I was 83 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 1: growing so much stronger, And then I just started becoming 84 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:58,920 Speaker 1: obsessed with it. So I became certified in the Agree 85 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 1: method in early twenty twenty one. Over the next six months, 86 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:05,280 Speaker 1: while I was still a senior in college, I began 87 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 1: just instructing, becoming a part of a studio down the street, 88 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 1: and yeah, fell in love with it. One thing led 89 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 1: to another, and whenever I got certified. I then became 90 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 1: super super infiltrated into the community at both locations, so 91 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:21,280 Speaker 1: that pre existing studio was in Nashville as well as 92 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 1: in Franklin. I'm from Franklin, Tennessee. So I started seeing 93 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:27,839 Speaker 1: friends of friends and you know, mom friends that my 94 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: mom had had, and one thing led to another. I 95 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:33,119 Speaker 1: got a call from the owner of that studio saying 96 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 1: that they were wanting to ultimately sell their Franklin location 97 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 1: and asked if I would want to, and I said no, 98 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 1: because I was twenty one years old, and who has 99 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:44,599 Speaker 1: any sort of cash to be able to do that 100 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:46,880 Speaker 1: or an understanding of even how that's supposed to happen. 101 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:49,280 Speaker 1: And so honestly called my parents is more so of 102 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:52,039 Speaker 1: like a haha moment. How funny is this that somebody 103 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 1: thought I could take over their company? And they were like, kids, 104 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 1: you could totally do that. We see a work ethic 105 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,279 Speaker 1: and a drive in you that really could excel in this. 106 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:03,360 Speaker 1: And so conversation after conversations started happening, and there had 107 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:05,840 Speaker 1: been a moment in my family history that was going 108 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 1: to allow for that to be kind of like a 109 00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:11,520 Speaker 1: family buy in to this specific company, And so took 110 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:13,960 Speaker 1: over that location and bought the business in April twenty 111 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:16,520 Speaker 1: twenty two, had absolutely no clue what I was doing, 112 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 1: and six months later figured out a little bit more 113 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:21,280 Speaker 1: of what I was doing, rebranded it to what you're 114 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 1: now sitting in in True Form, and then over a 115 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 1: year later, I opened up this location in the city 116 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:30,279 Speaker 1: of Nashville, and yeah, we're on a growth path from here. 117 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 3: That's incredible. Can you tell the audience about the formatting 118 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:36,240 Speaker 3: case they're not familiar with what you guys do. 119 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, so that's a little side journey that we're super 120 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:41,919 Speaker 1: excited about. I know, we'll get into the specifics on 121 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:45,719 Speaker 1: financing and everything like that. But an opportunity presented itself 122 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 1: for me to kind of have an out. We love 123 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 1: the Lagree method and we love True Form, and we 124 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 1: love what we're building here, but we're not able to 125 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:54,919 Speaker 1: scale it at the level that I feel led to 126 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:58,200 Speaker 1: grow it at. And so woke up one night and 127 00:05:58,279 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 1: had a dream and a vision to start my own method. 128 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 1: And so we are cultivating and creating an experience that's 129 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:05,680 Speaker 1: going to be called the Format Fitness, which will be 130 00:06:05,720 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 1: heated plates on a mat, so it'll be sculpt it'll 131 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 1: be strength, it'll be we're calling it sweat as well 132 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 1: as stretch. So four different classes that will take place 133 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 1: in an alternate studio and the goal with that is 134 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 1: to grow it to more of a franchise model, more 135 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:22,680 Speaker 1: of a corporate endeavor there and then keep true form 136 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 1: very boutique and what you're experiencing here today very cool. 137 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:29,679 Speaker 2: I'm sweating just hearing all these different formats. Oh my goodness, 138 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 2: all the things. 139 00:06:30,839 --> 00:06:33,080 Speaker 3: So when I walked into your studio, I'm looking around 140 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:36,559 Speaker 3: and it reminded me of Pilates, But Lagree is actually different. 141 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 3: So can you tell us a little bit about what 142 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 3: those differences are. 143 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:43,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, Lagree Fitness specifically, Sebastian Lagree, the creator of the method, 144 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:46,599 Speaker 1: took the best parts of pulates so that rehabilitative journey 145 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 1: that plates can take you on, as well as bodybuilding 146 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 1: and strength, muscular endurance and muscular strength. Took those two 147 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: aspects and created a workout that is allowing you to 148 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:00,839 Speaker 1: resistance train, but in a way that is low impact. 149 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:03,960 Speaker 1: So it's a high intensity workout meets that low impact 150 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,640 Speaker 1: aspect of pilates to create what is now known as 151 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:10,440 Speaker 1: the Megaformer similar and looks like a pilates reformer, but 152 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 1: is a little more unique. Got it. 153 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:17,000 Speaker 3: Okay, so you are presented this unique opportunity to take 154 00:07:17,040 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 3: on a business. What are the emotions that come along 155 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 3: with that? Tell us kind of what your thought process was. Yeah, 156 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:26,280 Speaker 3: take us behind the scenes of the decision. 157 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:26,560 Speaker 2: Yeah. 158 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 1: Well, I was laughing with my husband before this because 159 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 1: I was like, if you would have put me in 160 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 1: a room and said, hey, in two years you're going 161 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:35,560 Speaker 1: to be talking about the questions that we're about to 162 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:37,440 Speaker 1: talk about, I would have laughed in your face because 163 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:41,160 Speaker 1: I was the one on podcast and on the internet 164 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 1: being like, how do you do this? On everything? 165 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 2: How to start a company? 166 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 1: Literally, how did you actually run a company? Because you 167 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 1: have it now? And was honestly just such. I mean, 168 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 1: I was a deer in headlights for a long time, 169 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 1: which has made me into the business owner that I 170 00:07:56,680 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 1: am today and ultimately the entrepreneur that I want to be. 171 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 1: The emotions there, I was so excited. I was honored 172 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:05,560 Speaker 1: that I would have been considered. I know that the 173 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 1: people that saw something in me like actually saw something 174 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 1: that I didn't see in myself, because you know, no 175 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 1: twenty one year old is going to just naturally think 176 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:15,240 Speaker 1: that that's an opportunity that can be presented to them. 177 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 1: So I was super honored, and at the same time, 178 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:22,040 Speaker 1: I was really afraid. I was ultimately really nervous about 179 00:08:22,080 --> 00:08:24,800 Speaker 1: what was going to be perceived by the client base 180 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 1: that was already there. I mean, I was a college 181 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:29,239 Speaker 1: student that taught them fitness classes and now I'm about 182 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 1: to be the owner of their studio. It was definitely 183 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:34,760 Speaker 1: super intimidating, but I think alongside that, I also felt 184 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 1: really interested in how I could do the best that 185 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:40,720 Speaker 1: I could possibly do and ultimately take it and run 186 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:41,000 Speaker 1: with it. 187 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:43,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, I can imagine there's sort of a pressure to 188 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:48,079 Speaker 3: either keep it going or like exceed client's expectations because 189 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 3: now they're looking at you like, hey, what are you 190 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 3: going to do to our studio? 191 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 1: And we laugh. Now clients will laugh and be like, yeah, Kinzie, 192 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:56,200 Speaker 1: we thought that this was going to be a crash 193 00:08:56,240 --> 00:08:58,840 Speaker 1: and burn, And I said, I know, I saw it 194 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:02,080 Speaker 1: in y'all's eyes. I told you. So it's been a 195 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:05,680 Speaker 1: cool experience to now ultimately hopefully prove to them that 196 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:06,800 Speaker 1: I can do it. 197 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:09,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, You've made a believer out of them. That's awesome. 198 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:12,240 Speaker 2: I want to dig in a little bit further into 199 00:09:12,520 --> 00:09:14,800 Speaker 2: going from the first studio to where we are today 200 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 2: to you're opening a third studio as well. One, when 201 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:21,040 Speaker 2: did you know you were ready to grow? 202 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 1: Yeah? 203 00:09:21,600 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 2: And then two what was the funding process around the growth? 204 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 2: Sometimes that means taking out a loan or getting outside 205 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:31,559 Speaker 2: investors or you know, reinvesting profits, things like that. So 206 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:33,360 Speaker 2: walk our listeners through how you were able to go 207 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:35,360 Speaker 2: from the first studio now to the second one, and 208 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:37,520 Speaker 2: now to this third one in a matter of call 209 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:38,520 Speaker 2: it less than three years. 210 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:42,240 Speaker 1: The process starts right after our rebrand. I had had 211 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:44,920 Speaker 1: the idea of wanting to get to Nashville because I 212 00:09:44,960 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 1: was seeing that such a large percentage of our clients 213 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:50,880 Speaker 1: were driving from Nashville. We're in Franklin, up the road 214 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 1: twenty two minutes on a good day, thirty minutes with 215 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:57,559 Speaker 1: traffic more than that these days. And I was just noticing, Okay, Wow, 216 00:09:57,600 --> 00:09:59,480 Speaker 1: if we have such a large client base it's willing 217 00:09:59,559 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 1: to drive to us, we should bring it to them. 218 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 1: We're only able to operate a small group of people 219 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 1: in each class. We only have ten machines, and so 220 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,000 Speaker 1: what I was noticing was, wow, okay, we can't add 221 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:12,960 Speaker 1: any more class times to the schedule, so we need 222 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 1: to open up a second location. So there was the 223 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 1: need before there was really the desire to want to 224 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:19,959 Speaker 1: do it. And it took literally a year to kind 225 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:21,920 Speaker 1: of the thought and the conception of the idea of 226 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:24,439 Speaker 1: wanting a second studio before opportunities even kind of were 227 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 1: able to present themselves. Now, within this year, I met 228 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:29,839 Speaker 1: my husband, and I was no longer a single, twenty 229 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 1: two year old. I was a little bit more appealing 230 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:34,199 Speaker 1: to landlords when it came time for them to want 231 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 1: me to sign a lease. And so when I met 232 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: my husband, that was ultimately a very good opportunity for 233 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:40,800 Speaker 1: me to kind of bring him in and show, you know, 234 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 1: I have a husband and you can trust me. I 235 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:48,800 Speaker 1: had known that financing was going to be a conversation. Now, 236 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:53,720 Speaker 1: I had reinvested nearly everything over the past year, and 237 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:56,680 Speaker 1: not every small business owner does it this way, but 238 00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 1: I personally chose to live on my means, and then, 239 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 1: you know, just reinvested and reinvested and reinvested because I 240 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:04,280 Speaker 1: knew that I wanted to open up another location. And 241 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:06,559 Speaker 1: so it was around that time in October that I 242 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:08,200 Speaker 1: had to sit back and be like Okay, what is 243 00:11:08,280 --> 00:11:10,320 Speaker 1: this budget? What is this going to be? Like? Do 244 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:12,560 Speaker 1: I want to take over a second generation space or 245 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:14,200 Speaker 1: do I want to do a ground a ceiling build out, 246 00:11:14,240 --> 00:11:16,959 Speaker 1: because that is going to be drastically different in what 247 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:19,080 Speaker 1: the financing looks like for that. On top of the 248 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:20,920 Speaker 1: fact that I have to put up one hundred thousand 249 00:11:20,920 --> 00:11:23,880 Speaker 1: dollars in machines, and so I knew that machinery I 250 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: was going to be able to cover without any sort 251 00:11:25,520 --> 00:11:30,920 Speaker 1: of outside loan or outside source per se. So ultimately 252 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:34,040 Speaker 1: decided to go to a bank to upfront the cost 253 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:36,800 Speaker 1: of the build out. But as for the business itself, 254 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:38,600 Speaker 1: we did not have to take out money, and we 255 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:41,120 Speaker 1: reinvested what Studio Number one was able to give us. 256 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:42,199 Speaker 2: It's amazing. 257 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:45,960 Speaker 3: So you mentioned that your initial investors were your family, 258 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:48,760 Speaker 3: So tell us about that and how that was a 259 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 3: benefit to you to have that influx of capital so 260 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:52,640 Speaker 3: that you could start reinvesting from day one. 261 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:56,240 Speaker 1: Yeah. I am so grateful for my family, and it's 262 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:59,640 Speaker 1: one of those things that not everybody gets that kind 263 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:03,280 Speaker 1: of boos under them. I am so thankful to have 264 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:05,200 Speaker 1: been able to set up a structure in which you know, 265 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:07,600 Speaker 1: I'm no longer in debt to them, which is such 266 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:10,319 Speaker 1: a blessing because I just value them and I value 267 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:12,480 Speaker 1: that initial investment that they were able to give me, 268 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:15,120 Speaker 1: and I'm so thankful to want to give it back 269 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:17,800 Speaker 1: and you know, make sure that all the eyes and 270 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: teaser dotted so that as we continue growth, we're able 271 00:12:20,760 --> 00:12:23,280 Speaker 1: to do it in other ways, just because I would 272 00:12:23,280 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 1: never want to overuse the kindness of my family, and 273 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 1: so it really did give me some leverage and I'm 274 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 1: so so thankful for that. And then I'm also thankful 275 00:12:32,520 --> 00:12:35,080 Speaker 1: for now the experience to be able to go to 276 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 1: a lender and do it that way and see the 277 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 1: good and the bad and the pros and the cons 278 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:44,600 Speaker 1: of both ventures. Now, ultimately the goal is to continue 279 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:46,960 Speaker 1: to reinvest and keep it within ourselves. But you know, 280 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:48,280 Speaker 1: we don't know what growth is going to look like 281 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 1: from this point forward. But for the format specifically, we're 282 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:53,600 Speaker 1: able to not have to take out a secondary loan. 283 00:12:53,840 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 3: That's great. Shout out to your family, Shout out, they're amazing. 284 00:12:57,080 --> 00:12:59,200 Speaker 3: So you get this cash infusion from a family, and 285 00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:01,680 Speaker 3: then you've realized to really scale and bring the business 286 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:03,640 Speaker 3: to the next level, you have to go to a bank, 287 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:06,600 Speaker 3: you're taking on interest. Now you're taking on you know, 288 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:08,559 Speaker 3: this serious money. Yeah, so can you talk about the 289 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:09,920 Speaker 3: pros and cons of each approach? 290 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:12,160 Speaker 1: Of course? Yeah. One thing about me and I think 291 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:15,760 Speaker 1: this has helped me so much. I have no fear, 292 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:20,000 Speaker 1: So fear is not something I experience now. I am 293 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:23,320 Speaker 1: very grateful for a husband and a family that is 294 00:13:23,360 --> 00:13:25,160 Speaker 1: able to look at me and say, is this something 295 00:13:25,160 --> 00:13:28,080 Speaker 1: you really want to do? Because do you know what 296 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: interest is? And those conversations were super beneficial. I am 297 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:34,760 Speaker 1: so thankful for I have the best lender, and he's 298 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:38,200 Speaker 1: amazing and so encouraging. And I think, you know, in 299 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 1: all reality, being twenty four now and at the time 300 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 1: being twenty two and twenty three, I needed a lot 301 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:47,200 Speaker 1: of that boost from people that I trusted and looked 302 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:49,200 Speaker 1: up to, whether that a lender, whether that a businessman 303 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:51,800 Speaker 1: tour to say, no, Candi, your books look great, like 304 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:55,080 Speaker 1: your profit and law statements, those look amazing. We are 305 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:57,120 Speaker 1: really proud of you, and we think that this risk 306 00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:00,880 Speaker 1: is something that you can take. And so yeah, at 307 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:03,480 Speaker 1: those moments and making that decision, it was ultimately that 308 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:06,560 Speaker 1: push of like, hey, you're good the interest that you're 309 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 1: going to be paying on. This is ultimately going to 310 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 1: help you grow and scale a company so that you 311 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:12,839 Speaker 1: don't have to bring in a legitimate investor and give 312 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:16,960 Speaker 1: up royalties or whatever you may be having to sacrifice 313 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 1: now pros and cons. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with 314 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 1: the lender that I have and having this be my reality, 315 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:27,880 Speaker 1: just because it does feel a little more professional to me, 316 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:29,160 Speaker 1: and I think it is the next step in my 317 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:33,520 Speaker 1: career to understand the different implications of what alone is 318 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:37,480 Speaker 1: and ultimately utilize this to again scale and grow what 319 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 1: my dreams are. 320 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:41,320 Speaker 3: All Right, So you mentioned that your books were good, 321 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:44,160 Speaker 3: and so we know the importance of having your finances 322 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:46,680 Speaker 3: in order, especially when you're approaching a bank and asking 323 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:49,480 Speaker 3: for money. So can you talk about the strategies that 324 00:14:49,520 --> 00:14:51,880 Speaker 3: you've used with into it quick books in order to 325 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 3: make sure that you are organized and your numbers are 326 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:56,840 Speaker 3: timely so that you have all the information that you 327 00:14:56,920 --> 00:14:58,400 Speaker 3: need to get the money that you need. 328 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 1: At twenty one years old, I quick hired a bookkeeper 329 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 1: who is amazing and she loves QuickBooks. We had the 330 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 1: conversation of what was going to be the best route 331 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:10,440 Speaker 1: for us when it came to organization of our finances, 332 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:12,560 Speaker 1: and she had worked with QuickBooks and just loved it. 333 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:15,480 Speaker 1: So we've worked with that and I, you know, personally, 334 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:16,960 Speaker 1: from being able to see it from a bird's eye 335 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:20,440 Speaker 1: view and able to understand and just digest the numbers, 336 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:21,120 Speaker 1: we've loved it. 337 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 2: So linger on a little bit further though about looking 338 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:28,320 Speaker 2: at these books and having that bird's eye view and understanding, Okay, 339 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 2: how much of these profits should we reinvest as it 340 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:33,160 Speaker 2: relates to maybe newer equipment, or you know, how much 341 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 2: of this do we take to expand the business. 342 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 1: That was one thing after every month when I sat 343 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:40,400 Speaker 1: down and looked at it, you know, my biggest Google 344 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:42,320 Speaker 1: question was like how can I grow this? How can 345 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:45,080 Speaker 1: I scale this? Wire supplies this this month? So I 346 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:48,440 Speaker 1: would say that having those really honest conversations with myself 347 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:50,800 Speaker 1: with business mentors, that is one thing I brought in 348 00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:53,240 Speaker 1: very early that I would recommend any small business owner, 349 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 1: especially in the financing stage of things, is to bring 350 00:15:55,960 --> 00:15:57,840 Speaker 1: in someone who's done it before you and who's been 351 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:00,560 Speaker 1: very successful. Thankfully, I've had so many people be able 352 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 1: to step into that with me and show me again 353 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:04,880 Speaker 1: that bird's eye view of like Hickins it looks like 354 00:16:05,040 --> 00:16:07,080 Speaker 1: this could be leveraged more, or it looks like you 355 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:08,800 Speaker 1: can kind of scale back on this a little bit, 356 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: and so being able to see those numbers and then 357 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 1: ultimately make those decisions with the help of other people 358 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:16,080 Speaker 1: as well as with you know what, I personally had 359 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:18,160 Speaker 1: peace on of like, hey, you know, I'm willing and 360 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,680 Speaker 1: ready to take this risk in this area. Having those 361 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 1: business mentors as well as having quick books just to 362 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:24,119 Speaker 1: organize it was super. 363 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:29,640 Speaker 2: Helpful coming up on mind the Business small business success stories. 364 00:16:30,160 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 1: I think being resourceful can be How can I pull 365 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 1: from my own gifts and talents, you know, maybe I 366 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:37,040 Speaker 1: do something that's a little bit smaller scale that is 367 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:39,920 Speaker 1: more Internet based, because we're seeing that in the fitness 368 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:43,760 Speaker 1: industry specifically that is incredible. You can make an insane 369 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 1: amount of money. 370 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:55,240 Speaker 2: We'll be right back, welcome back to Mind the Business. 371 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:00,880 Speaker 2: Has there been a time when you guys are just 372 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:04,879 Speaker 2: beginning to now look for that outside funding. Did you 373 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:07,760 Speaker 2: go directly to this person up first or maybe did 374 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 2: it come with a couple nose before you got that funding? 375 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 1: So the funding, our numbers kind of spoke for themselves, 376 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 1: so we were able to get everything that we needed. Now. 377 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:19,520 Speaker 1: The only thing that we you know, getting into the 378 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:21,520 Speaker 1: nitty gritty that we did have to do was my 379 00:17:21,600 --> 00:17:23,000 Speaker 1: husband and I had to put up a little bit 380 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 1: of a line of credit for this new lease that 381 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:30,359 Speaker 1: we're doing on the nose. It's funny because all my 382 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:32,159 Speaker 1: nose came before I was ever even able to go 383 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:34,640 Speaker 1: to a bank. From October of twenty two to October 384 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:37,159 Speaker 1: of twenty three, I was so excited to open up 385 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 1: my second studio. However, every landlord I went to was like, sorry, no, 386 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:44,840 Speaker 1: your twenty three. They didn't have my P and L, 387 00:17:44,840 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 1: they didn't have my numbers, they didn't have any understanding. 388 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 1: And I ultimately kind of viewed that as protection because 389 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:52,199 Speaker 1: I think if you would have taken me to a bank, 390 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:54,240 Speaker 1: you would have taken me to a lender from twenty 391 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 1: two to twenty three, I would not have had the numbers, 392 00:17:57,240 --> 00:17:59,359 Speaker 1: nor would I've had the business plan to show. So 393 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:01,440 Speaker 1: in that year I was able to mature and kind 394 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:03,439 Speaker 1: of before I was told no by a bank, by 395 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 1: a lender, by an outside resource, Hey, this is actually 396 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:08,720 Speaker 1: you know, I'm able to give it to you now. 397 00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:10,480 Speaker 1: So my nose came in a different form. 398 00:18:10,680 --> 00:18:12,080 Speaker 2: It makes a lot of sense. Let's talk a little 399 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 2: bit more about the business plan, because I think a 400 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:16,000 Speaker 2: lot of people listening right now are you know, sort 401 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 2: of in that spot where maybe they're ready for growth 402 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:20,600 Speaker 2: and they need tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands 403 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:23,600 Speaker 2: and business funding, and so they need a business plan. 404 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:25,040 Speaker 2: Do you have any tips or tricks to share with 405 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:27,280 Speaker 2: those people as to how you know you successfully crafted 406 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:29,639 Speaker 2: your own business plan to go get so much in funding. 407 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:32,800 Speaker 1: Two things, So obviously I would always recommend because I 408 00:18:32,840 --> 00:18:34,959 Speaker 1: do consult calls with other small business owners that are 409 00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:39,760 Speaker 1: specifically catering their careers towards fitness, and so mine's very 410 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:43,119 Speaker 1: biased towards fitness. However, when I get these calls, I 411 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:45,199 Speaker 1: always tell them, you know, I want you to get branding. 412 00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:47,439 Speaker 1: That's going to set you apart, you know, and branding 413 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:49,480 Speaker 1: is more than a logo and more than a name, right, 414 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:51,600 Speaker 1: It's what you want people to feel and experience, and 415 00:18:51,680 --> 00:18:53,280 Speaker 1: all of those things are going to be so important 416 00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 1: because that is going to set you apart from everything 417 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:58,240 Speaker 1: else that you're trying to go and get funding for now, 418 00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:00,280 Speaker 1: the second thing that I always recommend is at a 419 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:04,040 Speaker 1: very solid competitive analysis going of every other studio around you, 420 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:06,280 Speaker 1: whether it be you know, say you're wanting to open 421 00:19:06,359 --> 00:19:08,600 Speaker 1: up all the gree studio, Look at pilates, look at yoga, 422 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:13,200 Speaker 1: look at cycling. What are typical membership prices? How many 423 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:15,679 Speaker 1: people are they putting in a room? Okay, what's the 424 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,200 Speaker 1: media and membership price? So once you're kind of able 425 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 1: to see what your competitors are estimated to bring in monthly, 426 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:24,960 Speaker 1: I then always encourage Okay, well, then let's look at 427 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:26,600 Speaker 1: what your monthly costs are going to be and your 428 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:29,040 Speaker 1: fixed costs as well as you know what might differ 429 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:32,120 Speaker 1: month to month, and then kind of actually give concrete numbers, 430 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:35,199 Speaker 1: because whenever you're opening up a new concept, similar to 431 00:19:35,240 --> 00:19:37,760 Speaker 1: what I'm doing with the format, I don't necessarily have 432 00:19:37,880 --> 00:19:40,200 Speaker 1: numbers of myself to show. But how can I look 433 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:42,240 Speaker 1: at my competitors or in my case, look at my 434 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:44,640 Speaker 1: other business and be able to show a little bit 435 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:48,200 Speaker 1: more solidarity in my business plan so that I am 436 00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:51,280 Speaker 1: taken a little bit more seriously and people are able 437 00:19:51,320 --> 00:19:54,840 Speaker 1: to see where my information, knowledge and backing is coming from. 438 00:19:54,920 --> 00:19:57,440 Speaker 2: So it seems like leaning on people who have a 439 00:19:57,440 --> 00:20:00,600 Speaker 2: little bit more experience than you, and it's a lot though, too, 440 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:03,399 Speaker 2: to kind of be resourceful. I think entrepreneurship is all 441 00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:07,600 Speaker 2: about resourcefulness and not just having the people to move 442 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:09,520 Speaker 2: you in the right direction, but have that kind of 443 00:20:09,520 --> 00:20:11,280 Speaker 2: fire inside of you to want to do those things 444 00:20:11,320 --> 00:20:12,639 Speaker 2: yourself one hundred percent. 445 00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:16,320 Speaker 1: I think I like to live by the the idea 446 00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:19,520 Speaker 1: that the people before me were doing things because of 447 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:22,720 Speaker 1: the people before them. So the most successful entrepreneurs that 448 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:25,280 Speaker 1: we see today, well, they were looking at the people 449 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:28,000 Speaker 1: ahead of them, and they were learning, and they ultimately said, 450 00:20:28,040 --> 00:20:30,359 Speaker 1: how can I make this better? That's what's been super 451 00:20:30,359 --> 00:20:33,639 Speaker 1: cool in entrepreneurship is taking the advice of the business 452 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:35,960 Speaker 1: mentors ahead of me, taking it though, but then also 453 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 1: not limiting it to myself. My business mentor said, do 454 00:20:38,680 --> 00:20:41,960 Speaker 1: not open a brand new studio concept six months after 455 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:45,240 Speaker 1: this concept. You should just keep going with what you're 456 00:20:45,280 --> 00:20:48,399 Speaker 1: already doing. Well, my fire back to him was, why 457 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:49,960 Speaker 1: would I keep doing what I'm doing when I have 458 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:52,400 Speaker 1: to put up the entire cost of a build out 459 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:55,359 Speaker 1: for my new studio concept into machines If I wanted 460 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:57,960 Speaker 1: to continue growing what I currently have, it doesn't make 461 00:20:58,040 --> 00:20:59,840 Speaker 1: sense for me financially. Now I can see how you 462 00:20:59,840 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 1: do understand that because you come from a different franchise 463 00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:06,119 Speaker 1: model than I do, And so it's taking what the 464 00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:08,240 Speaker 1: business mentors and the people ahead of you are doing, 465 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:10,960 Speaker 1: but then also having your own unique flare and being 466 00:21:10,960 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 1: able to take it and ultimately process what is best 467 00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 1: for you and what you at peace with for your 468 00:21:15,560 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 1: own company. 469 00:21:16,600 --> 00:21:19,760 Speaker 3: Speaking of being resourceful, so we've talked about bank loans, 470 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:21,879 Speaker 3: We've talked about investors. Those are just two ways that 471 00:21:21,920 --> 00:21:24,359 Speaker 3: you can get capital for your business. What would you 472 00:21:24,359 --> 00:21:26,159 Speaker 3: do in the instance that you need to raise some 473 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:28,640 Speaker 3: money and maybe those just aren't options. What advice would 474 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:29,720 Speaker 3: you give to other entrepreneurs? 475 00:21:30,040 --> 00:21:33,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, honestly, great question. I just had a conversation with 476 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:35,800 Speaker 1: a girl wanting to open up her own studio, and 477 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:39,200 Speaker 1: she said, I have the absolute best job. I am 478 00:21:39,359 --> 00:21:43,120 Speaker 1: crushing it. I am making six figures, and I want 479 00:21:43,160 --> 00:21:45,280 Speaker 1: to quit it all and open up a studio, but 480 00:21:45,320 --> 00:21:46,600 Speaker 1: I have no money. And I said, what do you 481 00:21:46,600 --> 00:21:50,000 Speaker 1: mean you have no money? You're making six figures. Why 482 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:52,880 Speaker 1: would you not keep this job that you have and 483 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:55,359 Speaker 1: begin to invest it in ways that you're then able 484 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:58,280 Speaker 1: to use what you just came from and invest that 485 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:00,919 Speaker 1: into a company and start smaller. If you started smaller. 486 00:22:00,960 --> 00:22:03,840 Speaker 1: What if instead of doing an entire fitness studio, you 487 00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:06,399 Speaker 1: started with an online platform that costs you twenty nine 488 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 1: ninety nine dollars a month to operate an app and 489 00:22:09,240 --> 00:22:11,520 Speaker 1: get people into you that way. So I think being 490 00:22:11,560 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 1: resourceful can be How can I pull from my own 491 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 1: gifts and talents, you know, maybe I do something that's 492 00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:19,359 Speaker 1: a little bit smaller scale, that is more Internet based, 493 00:22:19,359 --> 00:22:22,159 Speaker 1: because we're seeing that in the fitness industry specifically that 494 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:25,280 Speaker 1: is incredible. You can make an insane amount of money 495 00:22:25,320 --> 00:22:27,959 Speaker 1: on there. Thankfully, it's been such a cool process for 496 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:30,440 Speaker 1: those individuals that are doing it that way. I would 497 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:32,760 Speaker 1: say that it doesn't necessarily even have to start so big. 498 00:22:32,760 --> 00:22:35,000 Speaker 1: You don't need a brick and mortar. Maybe you start 499 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:37,399 Speaker 1: smaller and use what you have in the past, or 500 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 1: move forward into a different model. 501 00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:42,560 Speaker 3: I always called my paycheck my angel investor when I 502 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:46,119 Speaker 3: was doing my business on the side, because you know, 503 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 3: that's typically where you're going to have the most steady 504 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:53,000 Speaker 3: cash flow, and it takes time to build up your 505 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:56,560 Speaker 3: P and L and your business data to just get 506 00:22:56,560 --> 00:23:00,280 Speaker 3: anybody to give you money. So do not neglect the 507 00:23:00,320 --> 00:23:01,359 Speaker 3: power of the paycheck. 508 00:23:01,520 --> 00:23:03,720 Speaker 2: I agree I totally agree with you here, but I 509 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:05,600 Speaker 2: think a lot of small business owners make the mistake 510 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:08,160 Speaker 2: of one to jump head first into maybe a ton 511 00:23:08,200 --> 00:23:09,640 Speaker 2: of debt or you know, getting in over the head 512 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:11,080 Speaker 2: on all the money they might need to start a 513 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:13,720 Speaker 2: business with. In actuality, you can start a business with 514 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:16,560 Speaker 2: your cell phone and maybe a couple other items around 515 00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:18,439 Speaker 2: you that allow you to begin making your first one 516 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:20,280 Speaker 2: or two dollars, and that scales and overtime. 517 00:23:20,760 --> 00:23:22,679 Speaker 1: I agree. I put up a TikTok on like how 518 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:24,000 Speaker 1: we took out a loan how we had to use 519 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:26,560 Speaker 1: a private investor initially, because I get asked all the 520 00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:28,280 Speaker 1: time on social media how did you do what you do? 521 00:23:28,320 --> 00:23:30,199 Speaker 1: And I had someone respond back to my thing and 522 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:33,040 Speaker 1: was like, hey, can do I actually operate workouts out 523 00:23:33,040 --> 00:23:34,760 Speaker 1: of my own house because I don't have the cash 524 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:36,920 Speaker 1: to open up my own studio, but that's something I 525 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:39,160 Speaker 1: want to do one day. And she just was encouraging 526 00:23:39,160 --> 00:23:41,159 Speaker 1: her followers as well as mine, like, hey, doesn't have 527 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:44,040 Speaker 1: to look like this. It can also look much smaller 528 00:23:44,080 --> 00:23:47,120 Speaker 1: and still give you a great start to your career. 529 00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:51,240 Speaker 2: One percent, you're obviously a very experienced entrepreneur and small 530 00:23:51,240 --> 00:23:53,520 Speaker 2: business owner, so what are your biggest dos and donts 531 00:23:53,560 --> 00:23:56,760 Speaker 2: about raising money, finding funding, things of that nature. 532 00:23:56,960 --> 00:24:00,600 Speaker 1: Amongst every business decision that I have made that looks 533 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:03,159 Speaker 1: great on paper, I've always taken it back and been like, 534 00:24:03,320 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 1: is this something that I want to say yes to? 535 00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:07,440 Speaker 1: This is a big do for me. Is bringing it 536 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:08,960 Speaker 1: to the people that love me and that serve me 537 00:24:08,960 --> 00:24:10,320 Speaker 1: and that see me on a day to day basis, 538 00:24:10,359 --> 00:24:12,320 Speaker 1: and that know what's best for me. And then I 539 00:24:12,359 --> 00:24:15,399 Speaker 1: would say that don'ts is We are so limited, especially 540 00:24:15,440 --> 00:24:19,840 Speaker 1: as entrepreneurs and as future entrepreneurs, with fear of what 541 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:21,719 Speaker 1: if I don't know what to do or what if 542 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 1: I don't know if this is my best yes? And 543 00:24:24,200 --> 00:24:25,679 Speaker 1: the one thing I like to do is to not 544 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:28,240 Speaker 1: limit myself. I think it's really important that you're bringing 545 00:24:28,240 --> 00:24:30,080 Speaker 1: in people that you trust when it comes to all 546 00:24:30,119 --> 00:24:33,960 Speaker 1: of these, you know, investor situations or lender situations. Thankfully, 547 00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:36,080 Speaker 1: there have been people that have come before me to 548 00:24:36,119 --> 00:24:38,920 Speaker 1: tell me, hey, this was my experience. I stepped into 549 00:24:38,960 --> 00:24:41,439 Speaker 1: this with a lender that did not have my best interest. 550 00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:43,560 Speaker 1: I stepped into this with an investor that I did 551 00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:46,680 Speaker 1: not ask good questions to, And those have been really 552 00:24:46,760 --> 00:24:49,840 Speaker 1: learning experiences from their bad experiences that have helped me 553 00:24:49,920 --> 00:24:53,119 Speaker 1: not make the same mistakes. I would say another huge 554 00:24:53,160 --> 00:24:55,320 Speaker 1: thing when it comes to all of this is just 555 00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:58,119 Speaker 1: making sure that we're utilizing our resources. What you are 556 00:24:58,160 --> 00:25:02,399 Speaker 1: offering here, these conversations, these are resources that entrepreneurs need 557 00:25:02,440 --> 00:25:06,200 Speaker 1: to listen to. And I think it's so easy as entrepreneurs. 558 00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:08,360 Speaker 1: I kind of talked about pride earlier, like you think 559 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:10,800 Speaker 1: you have it all figured out, You think you know 560 00:25:10,920 --> 00:25:12,960 Speaker 1: exactly what to do. You think that your way is 561 00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:15,360 Speaker 1: the highway. One thing I've tried to draw myself back 562 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:17,960 Speaker 1: to is people do it a lot of different ways, 563 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:19,439 Speaker 1: and they do it a lot of amazing ways, and 564 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:21,280 Speaker 1: so how can I learn from them? So using the 565 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:23,959 Speaker 1: resources we have, whether it be podcasts, whether it be books, 566 00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:27,000 Speaker 1: whether it again be business mentors. But using resources is 567 00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:27,960 Speaker 1: a big do for me. 568 00:25:28,200 --> 00:25:30,520 Speaker 2: So just to linger on this idea though, of finding 569 00:25:30,560 --> 00:25:34,280 Speaker 2: people that you trust, I think that's really important. How 570 00:25:34,320 --> 00:25:36,919 Speaker 2: did someone go about finding a mentor that they can trust? 571 00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:42,919 Speaker 1: Yeah, first thing I would always recommend a mentor because 572 00:25:42,920 --> 00:25:46,480 Speaker 1: this is my experience, to come from someone else you trust. 573 00:25:46,680 --> 00:25:49,600 Speaker 1: I believe that if you trust somebody and they trust somebody, 574 00:25:49,600 --> 00:25:52,400 Speaker 1: It's just a long line of trust. Things that I 575 00:25:52,480 --> 00:25:55,200 Speaker 1: practically look for in a mentor or in setting people 576 00:25:55,320 --> 00:25:57,080 Speaker 1: up with mentors, because that's one of my favorite things 577 00:25:57,119 --> 00:25:59,280 Speaker 1: to do. Is not that we need to look at 578 00:25:59,480 --> 00:26:02,840 Speaker 1: cashcifically as success, but you know what is their company 579 00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:04,680 Speaker 1: and where did they start from and how has their 580 00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:07,080 Speaker 1: growth been. If they're going to encourage you into growth, 581 00:26:07,119 --> 00:26:08,520 Speaker 1: well you want to see what they've come from and 582 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:12,360 Speaker 1: what they've done. So I would say personal career, personal growth, 583 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:16,560 Speaker 1: personal experience is huge when looking for a mentor, and 584 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:19,159 Speaker 1: then ultimately I think the charisma and the way that 585 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:22,560 Speaker 1: you work with somebody. I've gone to coffee with people 586 00:26:22,560 --> 00:26:26,639 Speaker 1: that are so incredibly knowledgeable about the things that I 587 00:26:26,680 --> 00:26:28,960 Speaker 1: love and that I want to get to, but that 588 00:26:29,080 --> 00:26:31,520 Speaker 1: ultimately I didn't feel safe speaking with them. I didn't 589 00:26:31,560 --> 00:26:33,560 Speaker 1: feel like they saw me, I didn't feel like they 590 00:26:33,640 --> 00:26:37,640 Speaker 1: understood me, and those conversations I left feeling more defeated 591 00:26:37,720 --> 00:26:40,639 Speaker 1: than encouraged. And that's not something I want to do weekly. 592 00:26:41,040 --> 00:26:43,320 Speaker 1: And so finding somebody that you really mesh and jel 593 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:46,879 Speaker 1: well with, it's able to encourage you, able to challenge you, 594 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:48,600 Speaker 1: you know, able to call you out when you know 595 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:50,960 Speaker 1: you're not doing something right, but that ultimately you work 596 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:52,480 Speaker 1: really well with That's a great answer. 597 00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:54,640 Speaker 3: You got to make sure the vibes are there. Yes, 598 00:26:56,200 --> 00:26:58,119 Speaker 3: what do you think is the most impactful thing that 599 00:26:58,119 --> 00:27:00,560 Speaker 3: you've done with a loan or an investment? And how 600 00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:02,879 Speaker 3: has that thing set you up for success and for 601 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:03,840 Speaker 3: your business to thrive? 602 00:27:04,240 --> 00:27:08,639 Speaker 1: Well, you are sitting and we are podcasting in the 603 00:27:08,680 --> 00:27:13,119 Speaker 1: result of that risk, taking the loan and moving forward 604 00:27:13,200 --> 00:27:16,840 Speaker 1: with that avenue of funding is what has allowed us 605 00:27:16,880 --> 00:27:19,560 Speaker 1: to be in here today. We took a big risk 606 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:22,199 Speaker 1: in the space that we did. This was gravel and 607 00:27:22,320 --> 00:27:26,280 Speaker 1: there was no HVAC, mechanical, electrical plumbing, absolutely nothing of 608 00:27:26,280 --> 00:27:28,919 Speaker 1: that sort. And so that risk of taking out that 609 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:31,679 Speaker 1: loan ultimately has allowed me to live the dreams of 610 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:34,080 Speaker 1: you know, a dream studio. It's very rare that I'm 611 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:37,160 Speaker 1: able to say that, you know, every Pincher's board design 612 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:39,080 Speaker 1: I had was able to come to life. And so, 613 00:27:39,520 --> 00:27:41,600 Speaker 1: you know, I credit that obviously to the risk taken, 614 00:27:41,680 --> 00:27:43,200 Speaker 1: as well as the people that were able to step 615 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:45,800 Speaker 1: into this and help us build it as cost effectively 616 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:46,400 Speaker 1: as possible. 617 00:27:46,880 --> 00:27:49,480 Speaker 3: I would argue that the most impactful thing you've done 618 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:52,879 Speaker 3: is believe in yourself because it takes some guts to 619 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:55,880 Speaker 3: do what you've done, and you have a very inspirational 620 00:27:55,920 --> 00:27:57,680 Speaker 3: story that I know so many people are going to 621 00:27:57,840 --> 00:27:59,679 Speaker 3: listen to and they're going to be like, she can 622 00:27:59,720 --> 00:28:01,680 Speaker 3: do it. I can do it too, one hundred percent. 623 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:04,280 Speaker 1: And I think that's what's been so fun about this 624 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:06,840 Speaker 1: is just being able to say yes, if I can 625 00:28:06,880 --> 00:28:10,159 Speaker 1: do it, I promise you can do it. He asked 626 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:12,280 Speaker 1: me earlier. What I studied in college. I was studying 627 00:28:12,359 --> 00:28:16,119 Speaker 1: social justice and psychology, which has helped me in ways, 628 00:28:16,520 --> 00:28:18,439 Speaker 1: but I had no understanding. I didn't know how to 629 00:28:18,440 --> 00:28:21,280 Speaker 1: write a freaking check, and so it is really cool 630 00:28:21,320 --> 00:28:25,040 Speaker 1: to see what has ultimately occurred through one little yes 631 00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:27,040 Speaker 1: and from people trusting in me. 632 00:28:27,680 --> 00:28:29,719 Speaker 3: Kensey, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. 633 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:38,560 Speaker 2: Thank you, Denise. I had such a great time talking 634 00:28:38,560 --> 00:28:40,840 Speaker 2: with Kenzie. What was your biggest takeaway from our conversation. 635 00:28:41,080 --> 00:28:43,560 Speaker 3: I really liked that she was very clear on her 636 00:28:43,640 --> 00:28:47,320 Speaker 3: vision and was okay not taking investor money in exchange 637 00:28:47,320 --> 00:28:49,920 Speaker 3: for ownership in the business. Now, I think some of 638 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:53,200 Speaker 3: us can become enthralled with the idea of, you know, 639 00:28:53,240 --> 00:28:57,440 Speaker 3: the big TV shows that We pitch our businesses too 640 00:28:57,520 --> 00:29:00,160 Speaker 3: when you get your you know, million dollar deal, But 641 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:03,120 Speaker 3: I don't think that's always the best approach, depending on 642 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:05,520 Speaker 3: just where you are in your business and how ready 643 00:29:05,560 --> 00:29:08,720 Speaker 3: you are to relinquish that control. So just the fact 644 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:11,760 Speaker 3: that there are different funding sources that exist that don't 645 00:29:11,800 --> 00:29:14,560 Speaker 3: always require that of you. I think it's important for 646 00:29:14,640 --> 00:29:17,240 Speaker 3: business owners to know, at the end of the day, 647 00:29:17,480 --> 00:29:19,320 Speaker 3: not all money is the right money for you. 648 00:29:19,680 --> 00:29:22,040 Speaker 2: Not all money is the right money for you. I 649 00:29:22,040 --> 00:29:23,640 Speaker 2: couldn't agree more. I'm going to go a tattoo with 650 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:24,680 Speaker 2: that on my poduct one day. 651 00:29:25,280 --> 00:29:27,360 Speaker 3: What was your biggest takeaway Austin, I think for. 652 00:29:27,280 --> 00:29:30,600 Speaker 2: Me it was Kensy's resourcefulness. A lot of small business owners, 653 00:29:30,600 --> 00:29:34,640 Speaker 2: including myself, feel as if we are starting from scratch, 654 00:29:35,080 --> 00:29:37,480 Speaker 2: and that comes with going to Google and typing in 655 00:29:37,560 --> 00:29:39,720 Speaker 2: how to start a business or how to apply for this, 656 00:29:39,920 --> 00:29:42,040 Speaker 2: or you know, how to make a business plan and 657 00:29:42,080 --> 00:29:44,800 Speaker 2: do these different things. And Kensey was talking about how 658 00:29:44,960 --> 00:29:47,920 Speaker 2: when I'm making my business plan, what are the competing 659 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:51,000 Speaker 2: fitness studios around me, what are they charging for their prices, 660 00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:53,440 Speaker 2: how many machines do they have, what's the foot traffic like? 661 00:29:53,760 --> 00:29:55,719 Speaker 2: So just like thinking outside the box a little bit 662 00:29:55,760 --> 00:29:59,560 Speaker 2: into really kind of putting this puzzle together of Okay, 663 00:29:59,560 --> 00:30:02,200 Speaker 2: here's what my what competitors are doing, which should sort 664 00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:05,440 Speaker 2: of benchmark my own progress and success. How can I 665 00:30:05,480 --> 00:30:07,400 Speaker 2: now begin to trend toward that myself? And I think 666 00:30:07,480 --> 00:30:10,280 Speaker 2: just having that resourceful attitude and mentality when it comes 667 00:30:10,320 --> 00:30:13,000 Speaker 2: to running a small business is very, very important. 668 00:30:13,200 --> 00:30:15,840 Speaker 3: Absolutely, there's so much mindset work that you don't even 669 00:30:15,880 --> 00:30:18,040 Speaker 3: know you're signing up for when you start a small business. 670 00:30:18,160 --> 00:30:19,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, you training that nine to five for the twenty 671 00:30:19,960 --> 00:30:20,440 Speaker 2: four seven. 672 00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:25,880 Speaker 3: Well, this was a great episode and I cannot wait 673 00:30:25,920 --> 00:30:28,200 Speaker 3: for the next one. You can find me on social 674 00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:30,440 Speaker 3: media at Jokeroo podcast. 675 00:30:30,160 --> 00:30:32,479 Speaker 2: And you can find me at Austin Hankwitz. You can 676 00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:35,920 Speaker 2: follow intwit QuickBooks on all social media at QuickBooks. To 677 00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:38,200 Speaker 2: get the tools you need to start, run and grow 678 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:40,600 Speaker 2: your business, head to QuickBooks dot com today. 679 00:30:40,720 --> 00:30:42,720 Speaker 3: Don't forget to follow this show wherever you listen to 680 00:30:42,760 --> 00:30:45,560 Speaker 3: podcasts so you can stay up to date on future episodes. 681 00:30:45,720 --> 00:30:47,360 Speaker 2: We also want to hear from you, so be sure 682 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:48,960 Speaker 2: to leave us a rating and a review. 683 00:30:49,400 --> 00:30:50,240 Speaker 3: See you next time. 684 00:30:55,200 --> 00:30:58,680 Speaker 2: Money movement services are provided by Intoit Payments, Inc. Licensed 685 00:30:58,720 --> 00:31:00,959 Speaker 2: as a money transmitter by the New York State Department 686 00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:02,080 Speaker 2: of Financial Services. 687 00:31:02,840 --> 00:31:06,080 Speaker 3: This podcast is a production of iHeartMedia's Ruby Studio and 688 00:31:06,160 --> 00:31:09,560 Speaker 3: Into It QuickBooks. Our executive producer is Malli Sosha, Our 689 00:31:09,560 --> 00:31:13,400 Speaker 3: supervising producer is Nikiah Swinton, and our writer is Eric Leja. 690 00:31:13,600 --> 00:31:15,920 Speaker 2: Our head of Push Production is James Foster, and our 691 00:31:15,920 --> 00:31:21,640 Speaker 2: mixing engineer is Paul Vitulen's of Audiography