Honest Opinions Please!

[LT1980]

Hi everyone

I'm a mum to three young children and I currently work part time in an office. Since I had my third baby last year, I've done a lot of soul searching, worked on my health... And I now have a vision for my future.

I am looking to set up a health/wellbeing/fitness business, but with a different slant. Rather than focussing on weight loss, dropping dress sizes, before/after pics and blasting fat into submission, I want to be all about self care, positive body image, mental well being, sustainable eating and exercising habits. I guess my primary focus will be on women/mothers as that is what I'm passionate about.

So my question - is this different approach something you would be interested in? If yes, what appeals to you and if no, what puts you off?

Looking for all types of constructive feedback - it's much appreciated!

Thank you.

I think it sounds great!

How does your proposed service differ from a spa /holistic wellness centre thing? Can you be extremely clear about what you're planning to offer?

Do you have relevant experience & qualifications? What are they? What sort of premises can you have?

Tell more ... :)

Thank you!!

I am a complete beginner! I found my passion for this through an online community. I've been on the diet and exercise wagon for twenty years and it feels SO good to know that there is another option - I want to share that!! The route would be to qualify as a personal trainer then do the additional training in nutrition, group exercise, post/ante natal etc etc. So primarily personal training/group fitness with the additional slant of more rounded health and well being. Obviously being a start up, premises will be a biggie and something a bit further down the line.

I feel really passionate about helping women find peace and support instead of punishing themselves.

L

Trying a bump for you :)

Hi

To be honest I don't think is really a "different slant" anymore - I think this body positivity movement is already underway - and would be even more so by the time you have done your qualifications and gotten together a client base....but if this is your dream then go ahead - as we've seen from the diet industry, there is always room for more!!

The reason weight loss/workout businesses make money is because the results are easy to prove with the numbers and photos. The photos are what sells it to new customers. They are impressive and people buy into it. (And then there is the whole "fell off the band wagon and now i need the personal trainer again" return customer)

Something like an overall wellbeing business, whilst very sensible, will be hard to prove that it works other than people saying "i feel great" and personally, (i am always suspicious of client testimonies). And if you have nothing to show people that it works then they arent going to be handing you over any cash to find out. They'll go to the spin class at the gym or the PT with the great photos.

Well, you can always use sad, tired, round-shouldered Before pictures followed by glowing, toned & perky After pictures! It works for cosmetic surgery and overpriced cactus juice

I'm not sure how to say this - my vocabulary falls apart when I'm tired, so it's going to come out weird. What spas & wellness centres are really selling is love. Clients get treated with kindness, made comfortable, and convinced they're becoming more beautiful. I get the idea OP's imagined service is about that - with actual physical improvement thrown in, which makes it something of a winner.

It can definitely be communicated by pictures.

Hester, that's a fantastic point about menopause. It's a booming market, too.

Another market you might want to think about is support for menopausal women - it's anot her time of life when we have to learn to cope with changing metabolism, bodyshape and self esteem

Hear Hear.
I never had any problems with weight / size until hitting the menopause. I'm FAR too intimidated to even consider entering a gym. I also have many bad habits from the rest of my life when I'd never gained weight or inches.

Thank you for all your feedback, it's very interesting to hear both yes and no opinions. I appreciate it would be a very niche market and really wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea.

Also agree about menopausal women - fantastic idea. It really is my dream to help women feel more confident within a safe environment.

Have you got a business plan and done the financials? It sounds like a lovely idea but if you are wanting to run a business it needs to deliver a profit for you.