AFS Member Tasha Schaded
LifeFit Personal Training Studio
North Padre Island, Corpus Christi, TX
Please give a brief background about yourself and your business.
Tasha Schaded: My journey to become a trainer was sparked after having a trainer change my life! I went on to compete in natural bodybuilding competitions and won my pro figure card. After achieving that milestone I decided I wanted to give back to my community by helping others achieve health and fitness goals.
I was raised by my grandparents and have always had a special place in my heart for the aging population. The island, where I reside, didn’t offer anything private or specific for our aging residents so I decided to open a personal training studio. Now, I offer private safe functional training to our island community!
How Has AFS Assisted in Your Growth and Success?
"When I found AFS I thought it was too good to be true. I was provided outstanding personal customer service with details and communication on how to access all the resources they provide. The value of this membership has been worth its weight in gold!" - Tasha Schaded, LifeFit PT Studio
Tasha Schaded: Opening my own studio has been one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve ever done. It’s been a very lonely experience. Feeling overwhelmed and desperate I found myself spending so much time and money seeking help from experts and companies promising to help me make money.
When I found AFS I thought it was too good to be true. I was provided outstanding personal customer service with details and communication on how to access all the resources they provide. The value of this membership has been worth its weight in gold!
What is your favorite AFS benefit and why?
Tasha Schaded: The round table calls and mentors were the reason I signed up with ASF. The mentoring program was the icing on the cake! I have met and built relationships with other amazing studio owners that are going through the same struggles as myself and also succeeding at ownership.
I met Michael Romig on a round table call who is also a mentor. He has singlehandedly helped with my success. He has sacrificed so much time pouring knowledge and encouragement into me. I no longer feel alone and he has gone above and beyond his duties to help me believe in myself and my ability as an owner.
I can’t put into words how much AFS, Josh, Sara, and Michael have saved my business and my sanity!
AFS Member Michael Romig
PG FIT
Cyprus, TX
Please give a brief background about yourself and your business.
Michael Romig: I have been in the fitness industry for over 20 years now. Over the last 11 years, I have owned two successful personal training studios. I decided to start my most recent business venture, PG FIT, because I wanted to make a difference in my local community. PG FIT stands for Personal and Group Functional Integrated Training.
We follow a scientific and integrated approach to designing personal and group training programs to help our clients look, feel, and perform their very best. We are the complete solution to helping out clients accomplish their health and fitness goals, and we believe that by serving our clients that we can truly make a difference in their lives, those around them and our community.
How Has AFS Assisted in Your Growth and Success?
"I realized that this was an organization that I wanted to be a part of, and I have been fortunate enough to help and mentor other AFS members grow their fitness businesses. " - Michael Romig, PG FIT
Michael Romig: I was introduced to the Association of Fitness Studios when I attended a lecture at a conference that Josh Leve was conducting. I was not aware of some of the statistics about personal training studios that Josh shared.
There has been a lot of research done on the fitness industry and health clubs, but not specifically on personal training studios. I could tell that Josh understood and cared about helping personal trainers, aspiring fitness business owners and fitness entrepreneurs grow their businesses. I realized that this was an organization that I wanted to be a part of, and I have been fortunate enough to help and mentor other AFS members grow their fitness businesses.
What is your favorite AFS benefit and why?
Michael Romig: My favorite AFS benefit is getting to know so many great people and developing friendships with like-minded business owners that have servant-like hearts.
I have been a part of several fitness organizations and masterminds in the past, but I have never been a part of an organization that genuinely cares about making a difference like the AFS leaders (Josh, Sara & Jose) and members do. I am blessed and honored to be part of the Association of Fitness Studios and look forward to our continued partnership.
AFS Member Laura Smith
CustomFitt
Buda, TX
Please give a brief background about yourself and your business.
Laura Smith: After being in the big box gym setting for 15 years, I really saw the client becoming more and more of a number. My clients aren't numbers. They are people with real backgrounds, issues, and concerns. Opening my own boutique studio provided me the perfect setting to do what my heart felt was right. Treat people as people first.
CustomFitt is the only studio within 15 or miles of Buda, TX focusing on the more mature client and their unique needs. Training at CustomFitt includes allied functional medical training, bodywork such as MFR and gua sha, in addition to chronic disease prevention and education through exercise. It's a place where people come and feel accepted, challenged and empowered to be as independent and active as they want to be.
How Has AFS Assisted in Your Growth and Success?
"It was only after getting involved with AFS that I attended my first conference ever - their major annual event called SUCCEED! AFS provided me with research on boutique studios, optimum square footage, pricing, mentors, and most importantly support." - Laura Smith, CustomFitt
Laura Smith: It was only after getting involved with AFS that I attended my first conference ever. AFS provided me with research on boutique studios, optimum square footage, pricing, mentors, and most importantly support. I felt I was so alone in my endeavor. I really needed someone to bounce ideas off of and see how others handle certain situations. It was only because I attended the conference in California that I was able to meet the group I work with online.
I came back from the conference and immediately began working on my mission, values, and culture so that it could be articulated and in writing. From that, I have been able to look at the future more clearly, hire the right person(s) and grow at a pace I can handle. I am now able to lay out the bridge and next steps so that I can eventually make CustomFitt a salable entity.
In August, I moved to a new location that is much more appropriate for growth and I made the move feeling confident based upon information I have received from AFS and being connected to other owners who are part of AFS. I would like to be able to retire at some point and see CustomFitt as a means of achieving the goal. (I am a more mature trainer and would like to have some financial freedom in my later years without working so hard.)
What is your favorite AFS benefit and why?
Laura Smith: I look to AFS research regularly to design and implement programs and business aspects for the future of CustomFitt. Hiring employees has been a very difficult endeavor in the past but now I am comfortable with finding the right personality and skill set.
Knowing my numbers and how to grow them whether it is net profit, personnel and salary or potential profit based upon my square footage has been and continues to be critical for my business. Membership in AFS and having access to its professional information is a key factor in the growth of CustomFitt and my ability to run a successful business.