Succeed Fitness

Sometimes it doesn't take a lot to get your business off the ground. While we offer up to £25,000 in loans, some businesses only need £1000 or less. One such business is Succeed Fitness, a mobile sports massage and personal training service operating in Surrey. We gave founder Matt Jordan £1000 to take his business to the next level, and now he's our StartUp of the Week - let's find out more.

Business name: Succeed Fitness

Founder(s) name: Matt Jordan

Loan funds received: £1,000

Based in: Chiddingfold, Surrey

Website: www.succeedfiness.co.uk

Twitter: @succeed_fitness

Explain your business in the time it would take the kettle to boil or drink to be poured.

I am a self-employed mobile personal trainer and sports massage therapist.

I want to bring an exceptional level of personal training and sports massage into the home and from the nearby facility, Hone Gym, using the experience and knowledge I have gained by working with the UK personal trainer of the year for the past 5 years, and qualifications gained such as the ability to use DNA testing to prescribe exercise and nutritional recommendations, and a sports massage diploma.

I bring a holistic approach to health and fitness and incorporate intricate nutritional support, DNA testing and lifestyle coaching, as well as physical training, to better serve my clientele. This is what stands me apart from my competitors.

Where are you based and why is it a good location for your business?

I am based in Chiddingfold, Surrey, and work within a 15 mile radius of here; most of my work is done within a gym (due to the time factor), for which I pay a monthly rent. I believe there is a gap in the market for higher-quality personal training locally.

How did you come up with the idea?

For me, setting up my own personal training business was a natural progression right from the outset, but to begin with I needed to gain valuable experience working in established companies, I've now had eight years in the industry and now feel I am ready to go it alone!

Having worked in the health and fitness industry for the past eight years, I've helped hundreds of people along their fitness and health journeys and this has enabled me to understand what these people are looking for from a personal trainer.

What’s the business model?

Upon an enquiry I'll arrange a free consultation with the enquirer lasting up to 90 mins. This includes a thorough goal-setting and lifestyle coaching discussion, a functional movement screen, kinetic chain assessment, and body composition readings and measurements. I will close the sale by recommending a certain level of service/treatment that best suits their needs and budget based on personal training sessions, sports massage and DNA testing.

I plan to sell my personal training services in one hour sessions bought in either 10 or 20 session blocks.  I will entice customers in with a taster pack which includes four personal training sessions to be used within 14 days for a discounted rate, with a view to buying a block thereafter.

The personal training will take place at either Hone gym, their home/office, or a recreational park.

Sports massages will take place at their home.

Who are your competitors?

Other gyms offering personal training sessions and other self-employed trainers. However sometimes the PT offering at gyms is poor, or if individuals are looking for help online they can be bombarded with information. 

What’s unique about your business?

I am a certified coach for DNA testing and am trained to test for health and fitness markers to show what the body is designed for, i.e. long distance/endurance, and train accordingly.

What stage was your business at when you applied for the Start Up Loan?

At the time when I applied for VSU I was still employed, together with some self-employed work with 3 clients. The loan helped my transition to becoming fully self-employed.

How have you used it to grow your business?

I used my VSU loan of £1,000 to buy a laptop and equipment to be able to deliver my training and massage sessions.

Who is your mentor and how have they helped you?

My mentor since October 2015 has been James MacDonald. James has proved invaluable and has helped me with my Marketing strategy. I meet James monthly to develop the strategy and keep on top of things and discuss shortfalls, if any. I also receive advice and support from Sue Davitt, which is also very helpful.

Who is your regional delivery partner and how did they help you get a Virgin StartUp loan?

My regional delivery partner was Enterprise First. Sue Davitt, my allocated Business Adviser, guided me through the VSU process.

Biggest achievement so far?

My biggest achievement so far (apart from the birth of my third child, Liam, a few weeks ago) is that I have already achieved my objective that I set for October 2016. My aim was to do 20 hours of personal training a week and so far I’m averaging 30 hours per week.

What’s next for your business?

I’m unsure what is next for my business other than to bring in new business and to continue to offer a high level of service. However, to add to my skillset I have now started an online nutritional course which can only benefit the offering to my clients. I will set new objectives in October this year, but so far everything is well.