Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and fitness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Paul Sharry, Founder of SUWS Ltd., located in Mullingar, Westmeath, Ireland.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

SUWS (shape up with Sharry) is an online personal training platform made for the everyday person. The overwhelming demographic of my clientele is mid-twenties to early forties. People who are learning how to balance education/work/family life with fitness. My job is to teach people the fundamentals & remind them that sometimes less can be more, especially when you want to be able to give other areas of your life 100% effort too.

Tell us about yourself

Getting into business was very much a "do or leave" situation. I had just finished college & there were no real jobs available to me at the time. So, as a result, I had two options, 1. Create work, or 2. Emigrate.

Due to my commitments to GAA, I decided to create work and set up a gym in my local town. After spending the majority of my twenties heavily focused on work & GAA, I decided I needed to scratch the travel itch in my late twenties & sold my gym & moved my PT service online. This is how SUWS was formed.

Since then, I have fallen in love with business management. There is nothing I love more than the process of developing a "service/product," manufacturing it, and then bringing it to the market and executing a plan to deliver it as best possible.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As a business owner to have successfully run my business over the past decade. Employing upwards of 10 people & ensuring they always get paid on time and get regular performance bonuses. That is a huge reward to me, to be able to see people who work for me being looked after. Going on to launch two more businesses from the success and revenue generated from the current business is quite pleasing also.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Social media can lead you to believe self-employment is a dream. You're stepping away from a 9-5 to have margaritas on the beach. No, you're stepping away from 9-5 to go 24/7 for a good duration of time. It takes a lot of work to get your business up & to go; sometimes, you feel indestructible, and other times you will feel like packing it all in. Hang in there, and with every challenge you face will come a new lesson that will only improve you as a business owner.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Learn about Tax & Vat.
  2. Plan, what is your product, who is your target market, how are you selling it, what are your costs, etc.
  3. Expect things to change and learn to adapt as these changes come your way. The most recent example is Nokia.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Have fun and enjoy the ride.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.shapeupwithsharry.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShapeUpWithSharry
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shape_up_with_sharry/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-sharry-87375390/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.