Today we’d like to introduce you to India Brown and Courtney Simmons.
India and Courtney, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Fitness has always been a part of our lives growing up due to being active athletes while in elementary, middle, and high school as well as in college. In adulthood, life happened that caused our weight (individually) to fluctuate over time unsatisfactorily. So, we began our fitness journey four years ago by seeking a personal trainer to help get us back on track and commit to our health and fitness goals. Shortly after, we decided to branch out to develop our own fitness plans based on our personal goals. At that moment we realized how serious we were about fitness and everything associated with it, including learning about the body’s anatomy, the food intake that hinders and benefits a healthy lifestyle, and the consistency that exercising can do for us. Once we realized that health and fitness was our passion, we sought to do what was necessary to gain certification in fitness training. We chose this route not only because we believe God gave us this passion, but also because we find fulfillment in being a help to others’ reaching their fitness goals as well.
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course, it has not been a smooth road! When blessed with the vision to start our own business, we did not realize the many steps we needed to take to build this business from the ground up. So, we started by making a list of things that needed to get done, such as obtaining a business license, registering our business name with the state, promoting our business, networking, etc. What we did not anticipate to be a struggle was finding the start-up money to finance our dream, working full-time jobs and caring for our children while still trying to find the time needed to sustain our business and the many sleepless nights spent on thinking of ways to let the world know about us. There was a time where we felt stuck and stagnant in creating a successful business. We felt discouraged because there were times when only one or two people showed up at our boot camps. Of course, that would make anybody question themselves. We did not know whether this would actually work, we did not know whether the support would be there or if people would actually take us serious. However, with hard work, dedication, patience, faith, and trusting the process, believing in ourselves and in God has benefited us tremendously.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the ICyouWork Fitness, LLC story. Tell us more about the business.
ICyouWork Fitness, LLC specializes in fitness training for individuals and groups interested in starting or maintaining a healthier lifestyle that includes losing fat, gaining muscle, and learning about the importance of a healthy diet. As a company, what we are most proud of is what we have accomplished thus far in less than a year. One of the biggest obstacles we’ve had in the past was not knowing where we would train our clients. We questioned ourselves every day about how we were going to fulfill our clients’ needs without having a space/gym that we could settle in and establish. Although we did not have a space, we found space to train our clients, such as at our homes, at the clients’ homes, in a park, etc. That displayed just how dedicated and determined we were to our passion and our business. Now we are happy to say that we have been offered the amazing opportunity to provide services for our clients at a gym located on the south side where we can build and grow in a family-like environment.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the next five to ten years, ICyouWork Fitness, LLC will be known not only in Georgia but worldwide, We see ourselves touring to different cities having fit camps across the country. In the next five to ten years we also see ourselves being role models for others who set out to start their own businesses by looking at what we’ve accomplished and the obstacles we’ve overcome, We have a vision of coming together with other trainers hosting different events and classes, creating personal development sessions on fitness/health, etc. Lastly, we want to be an inspiration to people who may feel that it is too late to make a change within themselves, no matter what that change may be. Because if two little girls from the south side of Atlanta can do it, so can anyone.
Contact Info:
- Address: 180 Walter Way
Fayetteville, GA 30214 - Phone: 6785594109
- Email: icyouworkfitness@gmail.com
- Instagram: @icyouworkfitness
Image Credit:
Phunkarazzi (Corian Yancy)
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