Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonny Craig.
Hi Jonny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Ireland and raised in the UK, just outside of London. Growing up, I was always surrounded by Art and Illustration, my Dad is an artist and my interest in comic book imagery led me to practicing it myself. During Secondary School (you guys call it High School here), I would doodle images of super hero’s and sell them to classmates for 50p – my first venture into capitalizing on my craft, ha! By 31, I moved to LA where I met my partner, with whom I eventually moved to Atlanta, Georgia where I reside now.
I was recertified under the American Council of Exercise (ACE) as Personal Trainer in 2019. My business took off pretty fast which was super exciting, while building a client base I wanted a brand name that would umbrella the services I offered without it just being my name.
I combined my love for both careers (art and fitness) into one brand for training and apparel and called it BEASTIES FITNESS.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of the struggles I faced at the beginning was trying to please everyone. When you are the owner, the worker and the first source of contact all rolled into one it is very easy to become a ‘yes person’. I learned quickly how to time manage and prioritize.
However in many ways, BEASTIES had been an easy path because it is a work of passion. As a trainer, there is alot of emphasis on motivation and confidence and BEASTIES very much embodies those things. It doesn’t take itself too seriously which is important when it comes to ‘lifting’ or ‘training’ because it has to be something we enjoy, or it won’t happen. Production is something that grows with the business, and outsourcing local vendors has been interesting. I would like to keep things as local as possible as the brand grows to ensure quality in the product and the process that along the way with everyone involved.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Beasties Fitness provides bold and original training apparel that you can wear for working out or hanging out. So far, the t-shirts are available online via the website however, they go fast. The brand leans on that gym aggression but with a twist of color or a touch of finesse! The shirts are tri-blend cotton which I have stayed with since the beginning because they are so comfortable to move around in, and for us bigger guys, they are snug on the arms and chest and give a lil swing around the belly!
The online content involved with the brand often includes mixed media videos and art, this is a further translation of whatever current design is being pushed, adding some life to that monster if you will. It’s often met with a positive response which is great! But the main thing is to come away feeling like a naughty little beastie and ready to go!
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I feel like I’m still learning important lessons every day.
To begin with, it was fun, then it got serious. But it’s so important to keep it fun.
I’ve learnt that my work is successful because of those who have supported us, I have to listen to the responses but also equally keep also that passion strong from within. If that means stop saying yes, then yes!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beastiesfitness.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/beasties.fitness
- Facebook: facebook.com/BEASTIESFITNESS
- Twitter: twitter.com/BeastiesFitness
- Youtube: youtube.com@beasties5325
