We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Johannah Labissiere a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Johannah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Being a business owner has its own challenges, but I’m much happier as a solopreneur. Oftentimes, when people think of being a business owner they think of all the glamourous parts, such as being your own boss, setting your own hours, financial freedom, traveling, and all the other things portrayed on social media. But they often don’t think about the long hours of work that no one sees, the delayed gratification, the countless risks, the rollercoaster of emotions, the trial and error, and the possible financial instability that comes with business ownership, especially in the beginning stages. There have definitely been times when I considered going back to a regular job because of the stresses of business ownership. One of the main reasons I’ve contemplated going back was due to the financial instability that I faced at the beginning, if you’re an entrepreneur then you know that financial rollercoaster that we all experience. As a business owner, you have high- highs and very low lows. One season your business can be doing amazing and the next season you could barely be bringing in revenue or breaking even. That’s why it’s important to manage your finances well as a business owner.

The low season I experienced, caused me to reconsider if I was on the right path. I was contemplating doing my business part-time and going back to a full-time job. Despite my attempts to go back into the corporate world, it thankfully didn’t work out for me. I say thankfully because I realized that I needed to be focused on my business full-time to get the full-time results that I desired. I know that if I had started working a regular full-time job again, my business would’ve suffered and taken the back seat; and I don’t believe I would’ve seen the rapid growth, if I did otherwise. Staying the course during my low season, built a different level of perseverance in me, deepened my faith in God and allowed me to become a better business owner. Sometimes you don’t know what you’re truly made of until your back is against the wall. Regardless of the challenges of business owners, I am truly happy and fulfilled. The impact that I get to make on others is way more valuable than the monetary. Walking in your God-given purpose and being able to make a business out of it, is a blessing.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Johannah is a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach who combines her passion for fitness with a strong foundation in business and finance. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, she earned her degree in Finance from St. John’s University and began her career in corporate finance and tech sales. Despite her success in the corporate world, Johannah felt a deeper calling to make a more significant impact and found her true passion in fitness.

As a serial entrepreneur, having started three businesses, Johannah brings an entrepreneurial spirit and a gift for encouragement to her work. Her journey through the fitness industry has been diverse, from leading group classes to one-on-one personal training, all culminating in the creation of Faithfully Fit—a unique space where faith and fitness intersect. She is dedicated to making an impact on 1,000 lives through fitness, faith, and her motivational words.

Johannah felt a strong calling to serve faith-based individuals, recognizing a growing health epidemic within the body of Christ. Faithfully Fit is on a mission to create a healthier, more active community of believers by addressing common health challenges. Her personal experiences in reversing prediabetes and iron deficiency anemia have shaped her empathetic and holistic approach to coaching.

In addition to her fitness work, Johannah is a motivational speaker who thrives on encouraging others. She loves sharing uplifting messages through her YouTube channel, which has garnered over 50,000 views, helping to inspire and uplift her audience. Through Faithfully Fit, Johannah aims to guide you on a transformative journey that strengthens both your body and spirit.

Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or looking to elevate it, she’s here to support you every step of the way. Together, let’s build a healthier, stronger, and more faithful community!

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Recently, the best source of new clients for my business has been word of mouth. Personal recommendations carry a lot of weight because they leverage the trust people have in their friends, family, and colleagues. When someone shares a positive experience, it becomes a highly credible and effective way to reach potential clients. For my brand, this has led to increased client referrals, greater brand loyalty, and a steady influx of new business—all at a relatively low cost.

To ensure this continues, I focus on providing exceptional service and delivering real, measurable results for my clients. By going above and beyond to help them achieve their goals, I create a positive experience that they naturally want to share with others. My approach is simple: if my clients are genuinely satisfied and see progress, they become enthusiastic advocates who spread the word, driving organic growth for my business.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Moving halfway across the country from New York to Dallas, Texas was one of the most challenging experiences of my career. As a personal trainer and nutrition coach, the majority of my clients were in-person, so leaving behind my established network and starting fresh in a new city where I knew no one was daunting. It meant I had to rebuild my business from the ground up and establish my credibility in an entirely unfamiliar market.

In just under a year—November 11th marks my one-year anniversary in Dallas—I went from having zero clients to now working with over 20+ in-person clients, while also launching the online side of my business that services people from all over the U.S. This journey required a tremendous amount of resilience. I had to make a continuous effort to connect with new clients, collaborate with industry professionals, and rebrand my entire business—all while adjusting to a new environment.

There were many days when I felt overwhelmed by the challenges of starting over, but I kept pushing forward, driven by my passion for helping others and my commitment to my vision. This experience taught me the power of perseverance, adaptability, and believing in myself even when the odds seemed stacked against me. Today, seeing how far I’ve come in just a year, I’m reminded that resilience is about showing up every day, no matter how tough it gets, and staying focused on the bigger picture.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stayfaithfullyfit.com/home543378
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam.johannah/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannah-labissiere-4b7829165/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ItsJohannahh