Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chelsea Dom. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Chelsea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How has Covid changed your business model?
Covid forced me to step out of my comfort zone and take a big leap in my business. After being let go from the gym during the shutdown, I reinvented the way I work with clients, switching from in-person gym training sessions to travelling to each client’s house with a kit full of equipment. While it took a few months to get going, clients were extremely receptive to this model. For one, they did not have to leave their house, saving precious commuting time. Not only that but if they were a parent there was no need for childcare. Second, there was no interaction with people besides myself, so they felt good about being extremely safe. Now a few years post-covid I continue to operate my business in this way. I have been an expert “Tetris-like” scheduler, and have much fewer cancellations since no travel is required by my clients. I am now my own boss and am able to create the schedule that I prefer.
Chelsea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Chelsea Dom, a personal trainer and nutrition consultant. My passion and purpose is to help people better themselves through the lens of fitness and health. For about a decade, I worked my way up the corporate advertising ladder, working on travel, retail, and tech clients while living in Los Angeles, and later Sydney, Australia. While I learned a ton and developed my confidence, organization skills, and professional discipline, it was not my calling. In Sydney, fitness is a huge industry and I found myself signing up for my first bodybuilding show. I naively thought it was a simple fitness pageant and went all in with the training and nutrition. Little did I know, through the prepping process I developed so much self-confidence, discipline, and belief in myself, that I knew that helping other women experience these life-changing feelings was what I wanted to do.
So, I packed up my suitcases and flew back to the states to rewrite my professional identity as a fitness professional. My primary clients are women between the ages of 25-60 with the goals of improving their body composition and feeling better in their bodies. I offer in-person training sessions locally in Detroit Michigan, and also online coaching for women worldwide for both training and nutrition, as they go hand in hand.
I’m most proud of the mental transformations that I guide my clients through. While a good before and after photo will get likes on Instagram and is definitely important, what matters most is the improvements in the way my clients see themselves. The changes I help them achieve allow them to be bolder in their lives, challenge themselves to do hard things and view all failures as lessons rather than setbacks.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients is current clients! Referrals are how I built my business. The proof is in the pudding – if I do an excellent job with my clients, they tell their friends and family about me.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I’ve built my reputation by ensuring I do the basics perfectly and consistently. For example, I have never once shown up late or unprepared for a session. Expectations are put in place before a working relationship begins, so there are limited unexpected situations. I dress professionally and look well put together, showing respect for my client and myself. Additionally, I genuinely care for my clients and will go above and beyond to help them reach their goals or solve their problems. A personal touch goes a long way!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chelseadomfitness.com
- Instagram: @chelseadom_fit
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseadominski/
Image Credits
Shelby Dubin Photography