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Sean Donegan, owner of Bad Attitude Gym located in Carrollton, Texas describes the formula he used to launch and grow the gym:
For years I went to every meet, every seminar, read everything I could get my hands on, and didn't go around being invisible. When I went somewhere I took upon myself to network and make connections. This was huge.
Originally I was just buying equipment because I knew I wouldn't make my goals training at the commercial gym. After months of people coming to my house 4 times a week and Mike stinking up the whole freakin' house, I decided to look into an office/warehouse like the one the new Westside is in. Phil found a great central location. Best advice I got from Dave Tate before I decided to take the plunge and make my stuff available to others - "Don't make it about the money. It has to be about the lifting. If you make it about the money it will fail." I passed on what I had seen from other groups who were successful mixed with some life coaching. There was a possibility I opened for myself in some personal coaching and the gym was this possibility. I knew what I had expected out of it and it was to have people win. That didn't mean just on the platform. That meant everywhere. The lifting was just a tool to show people they could do things they never thought possible.
Obviously with Internet blowing up, the website was a huge contribution of Phil's. That and having a logo legitimized it as a REAL THING. Not just a group of meatheads lifting weights in private.
All our members are great people. Right now it runs itself with new people following the example set by the veterans. There's plenty of room to help in this sport and while I fully expect our people to get involved, they have grown to expect it of themselves. That's what you saw this weekend. Outward focus.
People will love this one. You're gonna have to go to commercial gyms, workout, and do some recruiting. If nothing else at least you get the name out there and show people you're legit. Go to every supplement shop and talk to them about your group. See if they'll let you put up a flyer. Nobody is looking for something they don't know exists.
We were on a Ford dealer's TV commercial and 250,000 flyers as sponsors of Barbie Barbell's WR deadlift attempt up here. One phone call. No lifters.
I thought about what I said earlier and it might be mentioned that I had a lot of backing from the people around me to go ahead with this. I busted Mike's balls but he also brought by 14 45 lb plates as a contribution to the cause when I needed weights in the garage. He was also the instrument for the life coaching I referred to. Everyone involved in the early stages took some part in making it happen. Be sure your people are committed.
Another tidbit I got from Dave Tate was "Don't let the operating costs exceed what you can handle on your own. You need to be able to tell everyone to **** off without having to think about it." I've shown losses averaging well over $10,000 a year for the last years. Not saying that anyone else is in the same position but it's something to keep in mind. I don't mind because this is my contribution to a sport I love. I'm definitely not saying this for any recognition. It's just the reality of things. My wife is cool with it because she sees the results and knows we're doing something positive that keeps me out of trouble.
For years I went to every meet, every seminar, read everything I could get my hands on, and didn't go around being invisible. When I went somewhere I took upon myself to network and make connections. This was huge.
Originally I was just buying equipment because I knew I wouldn't make my goals training at the commercial gym. After months of people coming to my house 4 times a week and Mike stinking up the whole freakin' house, I decided to look into an office/warehouse like the one the new Westside is in. Phil found a great central location. Best advice I got from Dave Tate before I decided to take the plunge and make my stuff available to others - "Don't make it about the money. It has to be about the lifting. If you make it about the money it will fail." I passed on what I had seen from other groups who were successful mixed with some life coaching. There was a possibility I opened for myself in some personal coaching and the gym was this possibility. I knew what I had expected out of it and it was to have people win. That didn't mean just on the platform. That meant everywhere. The lifting was just a tool to show people they could do things they never thought possible.
Obviously with Internet blowing up, the website was a huge contribution of Phil's. That and having a logo legitimized it as a REAL THING. Not just a group of meatheads lifting weights in private.
All our members are great people. Right now it runs itself with new people following the example set by the veterans. There's plenty of room to help in this sport and while I fully expect our people to get involved, they have grown to expect it of themselves. That's what you saw this weekend. Outward focus.
People will love this one. You're gonna have to go to commercial gyms, workout, and do some recruiting. If nothing else at least you get the name out there and show people you're legit. Go to every supplement shop and talk to them about your group. See if they'll let you put up a flyer. Nobody is looking for something they don't know exists.
We were on a Ford dealer's TV commercial and 250,000 flyers as sponsors of Barbie Barbell's WR deadlift attempt up here. One phone call. No lifters.
I thought about what I said earlier and it might be mentioned that I had a lot of backing from the people around me to go ahead with this. I busted Mike's balls but he also brought by 14 45 lb plates as a contribution to the cause when I needed weights in the garage. He was also the instrument for the life coaching I referred to. Everyone involved in the early stages took some part in making it happen. Be sure your people are committed.
Another tidbit I got from Dave Tate was "Don't let the operating costs exceed what you can handle on your own. You need to be able to tell everyone to **** off without having to think about it." I've shown losses averaging well over $10,000 a year for the last years. Not saying that anyone else is in the same position but it's something to keep in mind. I don't mind because this is my contribution to a sport I love. I'm definitely not saying this for any recognition. It's just the reality of things. My wife is cool with it because she sees the results and knows we're doing something positive that keeps me out of trouble.
