Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Gleason.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started coaching boxing in 2014. In the beginning, it was something I was doing more for fun, as well as helping out a couple of friends I would train for there upcoming fights. It was more a hobby, I was helping out with on and off. Two years back now, I officially started Stay Ready Athletics. I was becoming a little more popular in south Florida as a boxing coach. I had been coaching out of a couple of local boxing and MMA gyms had a couple of fighters I was training and decided to go out on my own. I started renting out space out of a local gym in Pembroke Pines and training all my clients out of 1 on 1. When I first started, I had a total of about five clients, four of them being fighters. I was paying about as much in rent for a space as I was making off all my clients.
Over the next couple of months, I started to pick up clients here and there from either social media or word of mouth. I was training a buddy of mine, Jean Mongeois for some time and he kept urging me and pushing me to open up a spot of my own with him. It was always a dream of mine to have my own little spot since I got into the sport. I’ve always been a passion over price kinda guy, so it always scared me to go out on my own. Within enough time of my friend Jean pushing me into doing it, I finally took the plunge. In April 2018, Jean and I opened up a small 700 sq.ft. spot in Sunrise, FL, just training our clients out of. It was a small spot with five heavy bags and some small gym equipment. Perfect for private training. We quickly outgrew that spot just like Jean said, we would, and in September 2018, we relocated into a 1500 sq.ft. spot. The new location now has ten heavy bags up, more gym equipment and have a clientele of about 30 plus. Where I now run private training as well as competitive boxing classes, and fitness/beginners boxing classes.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road for me. With that being said, I wouldn’t trade my path in for an easy ride ever!!! I’ve never really viewed myself as a business owner. I’m a big believer in putting passion and product over everything. So, at times, it was really hard to separate the business side and the idea that I just want to share the love and passion I have for the sport of boxing. Never running a business or managing a business, I had to learn on the job. What worked, what doesn’t work. It’s been a huge struggle managing the business, as well as running the business if that makes sense. I guess what I’m trying to say is I’ve always been good at teaching the sport of boxing, but now, I’m handling the scheduling, booking, payments, planning, bills, etc. It definitely has been an adjustment period that way I don’t burn myself out.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
When I first started teaching boxing, I only wanted to teach competitors. Anyone who was going to actually compete or was competing in a combat sport, whether it was boxing or MMA. As time went on, I took on some fitness clients who wanted to learn the fundamentals of boxing as well get in shape. I think that’s when I found my complete identity in the sport of boxing. I loved just teaching it! doesn’t matter what you look like, what skill set you have, if you wanted to learn, I loved to teach it. Nothing more rewarding than watching an individual get confidence from the sport of boxing. From there though, it became the relationships I made out of coaching what started as clients grew to a family. That’s what I think I’m most proud of as a brand, the culture, and family Ive created in the gym among everybody. I think what sets me apart from others is my passion, I look to give every client the best version of myself in the gym.
What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned over the course of your career?
If I had to start over, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Running my business has helped me grow so much as a professional and a person. It’s been a crazy journey, crazy stressful, and tough at times, but I can honestly say I wouldn’t trade it in for the world.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10720 Nw 53Rd St
Sunrise, Fl 33351 - Website: www.kevingleason.co
- Phone: 954-591-6558
- Email: Stayreadyathletics@gmail.com
- Instagram: kevin_gleason7
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