Think back to the moment you decided to open your CrossFit Box or Garage Gym.
Now, think back to five minutes before that.
What was in your head? WHY did you want to move from Trainer, Coach, or someone outside the fitness industry and open your own business?
In my case, I had more than one reason. I needed to make more money, and couldn't see a way to do it where I was. I felt underappreciated: the business had grown immensely since I'd signed on, and I wasn't getting credit. Frankly, I thought I was smarter than the owner...or maybe I just cared more. Finally, and perhaps most of all, I didn't know where else to go from where I stood.
Ten years ago, there weren't any 40-year-old Personal Trainers. Ten years before that, there weren't ANY Personal Trainers. I simply couldn't imagine that my advice would still be relevant when my hair turned grey.
The only logical step up, then, was to become an entrepreneur. Self-employment was the only promotion possible. I wanted to test out my mental wheels, sure, but would never have taken the risk if another option had presented itself.
MANY new CrossFit Boxes are owned by passionate, inspired Coaches who saw only one possible way forward. When they asked themselves, "What's next? How do I move UP? How do I make it possible to keep doing this until I retire?" the answer came back: "Open your own gym." In many cases, it was the ONLY answer they heard.
If you can create a future - a next step, a way for your Coaches to 'move up,' or a way for them to be entrepreneurial - there's no reason for them to leave. Human nature mandates exploration and novelty. If they have itchy feet, and want to move, challenge them to look up instead of dead ahead.
Some ideas:
- A 'Head Coach' position, responsible for the oversight of other Coaches; programming for your Box; running monthly training sessions for your Coaches; making decisions on Cert attendance and new programs;
- A 'General Manager' position, to replace you - as owner - when you feel like taking that long-overdue vacation time (or just staying home occasionally);
- A 'Case Manager' position, who oversees individual training plans AND customer retention, client satisfaction, and social media;
- An 'Events Coordinator,' who sets up your events and works for part of the gross;
- The developer of a brand new part of your business. Here's how we handled that one.
Each of these positions should create the revenue - and more - to cover the increased wages that follow increased responsibility.
Not everyone wants to change. Don't force anyone; let people be happy. If you can't create a path of development and personal growth, though, don't expect them to stick around.
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