I'm very excited! My new client is a young woman (18 years old) who suffered a severe hamstring injury a few years ago (she was on the high school track team). Her mother tells me that she has undergone therapy and is now ready to get back to running and she asked me if I'd be her trainer. To say I jumped at the opportunity is an understatement! So hey...any advice you all want to give is fine by me!
I have a decision to make now. The boss I really love working for is leaving the firm. I am thinking of taking my savings (about a year's salary worth) and giving my notice so I can train full time. I don't have enough clients to sanction that yet, but I do have a buffer.
I'm being a coward, though. Afraid to make the move. We shall see!
I'm very excited! My new client is a young woman (18 years old) who suffered a severe hamstring injury a few years ago (she was on the high school track team). Her mother tells me that she has undergone therapy and is now ready to get back to running and she asked me if I'd be her trainer. To say I jumped at the opportunity is an understatement! So hey...any advice you all want to give is fine by me!
I have a decision to make now. The boss I really love working for is leaving the firm. I am thinking of taking my savings (about a year's salary worth) and giving my notice so I can train full time. I don't have enough clients to sanction that yet, but I do have a buffer.
I'm being a coward, though. Afraid to make the move. We shall see!
-- Edited by Tekva at 08:12, 2008-06-30
Hi Nora,
Congrats on the new client, I'm sure you'll do an awesome job with her!
Whatever decision you decide to make w/ your job I want to wish you luck!
Certainly all of Shawn's suggestions sound like wise counsel!
Hi Nora- Good for you girl! If you support yourself, I'd be careful before leaving a job, but that's me. I, myself would be stressed if I was dipping too much into my savings. As we all know, the cost of gas, home-heating oil and food has increased > 20% in the last 6 months, (OK, I don't know the exact %) but it feels like it to me! If it's possible to schedule clients around work, that's what I would do. But if the scheduling is keeping you from training clients- then it's worth considering taking the leap of faith. But I tend to be overly-cautious. HTH!
You all are right, of course! It's my desire to DO THIS that is making me impetuous. Fortunately I have no desire to lose my home or wind up in a collection agency, so that is putting the brakes one! I have a wonderful, impetuous sister who flings herself headlong into any venture she wants without fear. Sometimes I wish I was more like her! At other times, I'm glad I'm not! Too scary!
(((how long out of therapy??? Is it possible to talk to the therapist(if it hasn't been too long)?
As far as making it your full time job
find a target market (niche)
do market analysis
research other similar businesses in the area (what can you offer different..how do you stand out?)
write up a business plan
market your business
set goals
just do it
these are necessary to answer before you jump into this head on as the rate for failing is very high for personal training businesses
do your homework do your homework do your homework
this is the mistake I made and it cost me a year of potentialy making any money)))
This is just the post I needed to read to keep my feet on the ground! Thank you so much! Just WANT to do this full time SO much!
As for how long she has been out of therapy -- about a year and a half now. I would be working closely with her therapist to get her running again. I'm thinking all around leg balancing right now, with emphasis on the hamstrings, and starting out with a walk, then graduating to walk/jog on a treadmill before we progress any further. That could take six months or longer right there. The girl is ITCHING to get back, and I told her she might have to reconcile herself to being bored and going slowly for quite a while.
I totally understand your desire to move on! I agree with the others though,...just do your homework first, then make some decisions! I have four more years to go as a school counselor before I can "retire" and do something else (like being a PT!!!), and I can't go any earlier, so my plan was to take this on slowly - one client at a time until I have more time to devote to it! I am envious of your potential opportunity here and now! Just don't jump too too fast! BTW,..where on the Eastern Shore are you? We were comng back from the beach today (OC) and was wondering where you are located...and you commute into D.C.? After today's traffic,....wow...you ARE Superwoman!!!!
I totally understand your desire to move on! I agree with the others though,...just do your homework first, then make some decisions! I have four more years to go as a school counselor before I can "retire" and do something else (like being a PT!!!), and I can't go any earlier, so my plan was to take this on slowly - one client at a time until I have more time to devote to it! I am envious of your potential opportunity here and now! Just don't jump too too fast! BTW,..where on the Eastern Shore are you? We were comng back from the beach today (OC) and was wondering where you are located...and you commute into D.C.? After today's traffic,....wow...you ARE Superwoman!!!!
Susan
Outstanding advice, Susan...my inclination is to jump NOW!!! I actually realized I'm biting off more than I can chew right now, so I'm making my website invitation only and am only going to train a few people as I see how things unfold. I always jump in with both feet! It IS best to go slower.
