Today we’d like to introduce you to Joye “JoJo” Gilbert-Ross.
Joye “JoJo”, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
10.5 years ago I signed up to work out with Operation Boot Camp in Piedmont Park. After one workout I was “in.” The team atmosphere, the early mornings, the fun and burn of the workout, all had me at “hooah.” I had been a high school athlete but never really liked running or working out and took a hiatus while in college. I had gained some weight, lost some weight and was looking for a way to up my workout ante. After 2 months as a camper, I joined the instructor team and worked out in Piedmont Park 5:30AM-7AM for the next year. In 2006, the OBC owners decided to start franchising their business and I signed on for the first Atlanta franchise taking over the Candler Park/Decatur area. Myself, campers, and instructors have been pushing- up and burpeeing all over the Decatur area since!
Has it been a smooth road?
Owning a business is being on a roller coaster every day. Sometimes you think “Hey, this is really working!” and then by 1pm you’re thinking “I’m bleeding money! What’s happened? I am a failure!” It’s not for the faint of heart or risks adverse but having to say over my day to day schedule and future is worth all the gravity defying dips.
After TEN YEARS, I still don’t know what works for marketing my business. Campers usually find us 2 ways: word of mouth and Google. It leaves me believing I have no control over whether I have 40 people or 10. I focus on giving people a workout and experience that surpasses their expectation with customer service that surprises and delights them. It’s important to me that every person feels “seen” at camp. Many of our campers work from home or don’t have the most positive working environments. Having a group that is so “for” them can really set their day on the right path and I am honored to be a part of that.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Operation Boot Camp Decatur story. Tell us more about the business.
Operation Boot Camp Decatur is an outdoor fitness boot camp. Campers sign up for 18 group workouts over 4 weeks.
We pride ourselves on two things: guaranteeing you get in shape and that you having more fun that you thought possible doing it. We focus on community and accountability: we call or email our campers if they don’t show up! We are completely outdoors and often our workouts feel like recess. Most adults don’t touch the earth all day. You go from hardwoods, to carpet, to asphalt – we touch the ground every day offering a real connection to our big ol’ planet.
I am most proud of the community we have built. This is a group of people who are welcoming, funny and are so “for” your success. Campers and instructors alike. At Operation Boot Camp Decatur, friendships are created that most adults don’t experience after college. Does that mean we do a lot of talking? No, we’re breathing to hard for that but going through an experience like this – something you maybe didn’t believe you would be physically able to do – bonds you to the other people. That knowing what it’s like, seeing others improve, go for it, and push past their self imposed limitations creates a space that bonds you to people. We’re in it together.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The fitness industry is always changing. My belief is that it matters less about what you do to workout, more that you enjoy it enough to do it consistently. Find something you like and look forward to and you’re more likely to stick to it and be healthier.
Pricing:
- $249 1 month of camp
- $199/month 60 day notice to cancel
- We offer a FREE workout every month for you to give us a try! Check out our FB page to find out the next date: facebook.com/OBCCandlerParkDecatur
Contact Info:
- Address: Meeting location:
First Baptist Church in Decatur in the back building near the baseball field.
Address:
308 Clairemont Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030 - Website: operationbootcamp.com
- Phone: 888-7-FITNOW
- Email: info@operationbootcamp.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OBCCandlerParkDecatur/
- Twitter: @obcjo
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/operation-boot-camp-candler-park-and-decatur-atlanta
