We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Candy McBride. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Candy below.
Candy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?
I try to live forward-facing because living in the past is counterproductive to me. The timing of #GYMKITTY was positioned perfectly for the space it currently resides in. All the lessons and rejections were opportunities that have propelled the company into the future.
I founded #GYMKITTY on the premise of smart nutrition, integration of social media, and the disruptive idea that ladies aren’t “gym rats.” And when you look at those concepts, it’s easy to see that we are right where we need to be.
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.
Yes! I would definitely love to share who Candy McBride is as the Founder and Executive Director of #GYMKITTY. We help women on their health and fitness journeys by providing vegan, non-GMO, 100% natural vitamins and supplements. My passion for health and wellness began in 2019. I retained some postpartum weight after giving birth to my last daughter and began looking for supplements to assist in the weight loss. I tried several supplements on the market but couldn’t find any that didn’t have a chalky taste or weren’t full of artificial ingredients. I began researching ingredients and manufacturers to help develop the #GYMKITTY supplements and was able to find a US-based company that fit my vision and goals.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My goal with #GYMKITTY has always been to meet our consumers where they are and provide a space for them to gain support. Our initial business model was focused on apparel. I quickly learned that market research is very important. That research identified that, yes, fitness fashion is popular, but women also want results. They also want products that support their fitness journeys, and they want a community to connect with.
I’m happy to be associated with organizations like The Sistah Shop Atlanta, Shoutout Atlanta, Swagher Magazine, Voyage ATL, and now CANVASREBEL. They have provided opportunities that have given me access to our community
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
For a moment, imagine you are a novice business owner, self-funding all aspects of your business and you take the risk of placing your products in a brick-and-mortar store. You happen to be at the store and notice some customers viewing your products. I was instantly transported to my adolescence asking myself “I wonder if they will like me?” I was too nervous to introduce myself as I didn’t want to be the overbearing owner “hawking” my products. So, I watched as the staff worked with them. My heart was full of joy when I saw the customers not only buy one product but buy two! Once I made it back to my car, I sighed in relief. I thought to myself “I guess they did like me.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gymkitty.net
- Instagram: Gymkittyofficial
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/gymkittyofficial/
- Other: Email: [email protected] Available at The Sistah Shop Atlantic Station Atlanta, GA