Introduction to Running Your Own business

The following text is taken from the Level 3 Business and Marketing for Fitness Professionals student manual and is provided here as a sample of the content contained within this qualification.

Many of us think, at one time or another, that it would be nice to be our own boss, but few actually go the whole hog and set up their own business. Running a business requires an immense amount of hard work, commitment and responsibility; it’s not a 9-5 job and so this might explain why so few people actually take the plunge. If you are considering launching your own fitness business, you might want to take the time to read this feature post before you set the wheels in motion.

It would seem plausible to suggest that the main reason why people don’t just take Nike’s advice and ‘just do it’ is because they are worried about the venture failing and, as a consequence, not being able to fulfil their financial, emotional and career aspirations and obligations. In actual fact, most of the research in this area suggests the exact opposite, that people are consciously or subconsciously fearful of the success. With success comes a new level of responsibility, pressure and exposure and not everyone is cut out for this. So, before you decide whether you want to get into running your own business, you must first ask yourself the following question: ‘Am I truly ready for success?’

Since you are still reading we presume that the answer to the last question was indeed ‘yes’ and that you are ready for a new career, a career which has multiple roles as well as new responsibilities. The aim of this business and marketing qualification is to take you through each of the elements of being a business owner and introduce you to some guiding principles and best practices. More importantly, we will also show you what you must do in order to fulfil your legal and statutory obligations.

In Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare wrote ‘be not afraid of greatness: some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them’. The same is likely to be true about those in business: some people are born entrepreneurs, who will take to it like a duck to water, while others will, at times, find themselves frantically paddling to stay afloat. Whichever of these groups you fall into (if any), rest assured that, with a little guidance, a touch of determination and a whole load of hard work, you will be able to make your fitness business a thriving success.

The fact that you are reading this probably indicates that you already have a good understanding of the health and fitness profession; indeed, you may already be employed in it in some capacity. We use the term ‘profession’ rather than industry here because that is exactly what it is. A profession is defined as ‘an occupation or vocation that requires prolonged training and formal qualifications’. Since professions are usually regulated, in this case the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), the term profession is considerably more befitting to the professional nature of the services you are delivering, or planning to deliver.

For more information about the Level 3 Business and Marketing qualification, or our other Personal Training CPD courses, feel free to give one of our careers advisors a call today. This qualification could be the difference between mediocrity and greatness.