if you can start all over again

[cun2x]

I'm interested to hear about this from the fitness professionals. If you have the chance to start all over again, how would you build your business?

[Jean-Paul]

That's a tough question (but a good question for sure!), because I know how I'd like to start one now, but the fitness industry has really changed in the 20 years that I've been a trainer.

To tell you the truth, I don't know that I could put myself through starting up from the beginning again. If I knew then what I know now I would never have opened a fitness center. It's more cost effective to work for someone else.

Well, I say that but I also know that I'm really not employable. I gotta do things my own way.

I would probably go with a franchise that has a built in system for management and not go out and reinvent the wheel. I would have not had to make every mistake ever imagined (and then some).

[kingkop182]

I hear where you coming from JP, it can be a hard slog making it work.

If you signed up to a Franchise though, would you be able to accept being dictated to in terms of what classes to run, targets set for you (rather than by you) etc. I also get the impression that running a franchise takes alot of the 'fun' of runnig a business.

Cun2x, I am not a fitness professional, but if I were looking to open my own business I would outsource of all the administrative work that doesn't add value, i.e payroll, HR, get a good accountant etc. This would allow you the time to concentrate on the core of your buisiness, in this case your gym and it's members.

[cun2x]

Thanks for the reply, guys. What would you look for when considering a franchise? How would you evaluate it?

If you were to start by working for somebody else, how would you go about doing it? Any advices that you could give?