Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Karen Voight, Owner of Entertaining Fitness Inc., located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I have been involved in the fitness industry since my teenage years, teaching group fitness classes seven days a week with only a few days off each year. Currently, I'm in my 60s and teach fitness classes at Equinox Sports Club, offer daily live classes on Zoom with participants from all over the world, and have a library of over 300 classes available for streaming on my website with DVDs and downloads.
Tell us about yourself
I was born with a club foot that needed to be reset. The doctors advised my parents to put me in ballet classes to keep it strong and aligned. I stuck with it until the age of 17, when I left the world of dance to pursue a career in the fitness industry. In the '80s, I opened an exercise studio called "Voight Fitness and Dance Center."
In the last four decades, besides producing a line of Fitness DVDs, I've traveled the world conducting training workshops for other fitness instructors, authored a book published by Disney, and wrote a weekly fitness column for the Los Angeles Times. I created exercise videos with Elle Macpherson and Brooke Shields and appeared on various TV shows and infomercials. I was a fitness spokeswoman for Nordstrom and Keiser and launched the Johnny G Spinning program.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My business has allowed me to share my knowledge and encourage others to improve their health and overall wellness. Over the years, I received numerous letters from students who tell me how I made a difference in their lives and how I've helped them overcome setbacks with a strong body and mind. As I get older, I've realized how appreciative I am to have a job that is still so fulfilling and satisfying!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I've always felt that there were not enough hours in the day to get everything done. Hiring, training, and managing employees became necessary, but I found this to also be time-consuming and exhausting.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Develop a personal regime that maintains your health and vitality. It takes a lot of ENERGY to run and grow your business. Prioritize the amount of sleep you get to recover and recharge. For me, that's about 7-9 hours. Cook for yourself and limit restaurants and fast food.
- Stay organized and try not to get behind on accounting and paperwork.
- Don't compare yourself to other people. Stay focused on what you want to accomplish, and remember to acknowledge and reward yourself for a job well done.
- Keep learning. Expose yourself to new ideas, new experiences, and new people!
- Stay open-minded, and instead of complaining about what you don't have in your life, think of how you would feel if you didn't have what you have today. Be grateful!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.karenvoightfitness.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealKarenVoight/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenvoightla/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenVoight
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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