We recently connected with Daniel and Juan Pablo Saavedra and have shared our conversation below.
Daniel and Juan Pablo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
The Bolivian brothers Daniel and Juan Pablo started TORO FITNESS in August 2015 in Seneca Park, Louisville KY. The main idea of the gym was to encourage the Latin community to live a much healthier, stronger, and more active life. In the beginning, they only had 2 students, but day by day, the numbers multiplied. By late of that autumn, a student they knew from the park, Sergio, kindly and at no cost, offered the use of his carpet warehouse so that classes could continue. With minimal resources and amidst industrial machinery, months later, they had over 50 students per day. It was then that the brothers decided to make this more than just a hobby. In October 2016, they took the risky step of renting, albeit something small, their own space, and with the support of the entire family, they were able to turn what was once an office space into a functional gym. The opening was so well-received that in less than 4 months, the gym expanded to almost double its original size. Now, TOFO FITNESS has the privilege of training over 100 people per day and boasts top-of-the-line equipment in the world of Functional Training.
Daniel and Juan Pablo, 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?
* Daniel Saavedra studied at Indiana University and holds a Bachelor’s degree, with honors, in Computer Informatics. He also holds CrossFit Level I and Level II diplomas, among others. Daniel has always been passionate about sports and exercise in general. In 2018, he decided to leave his job in IT and transitioned to full-time work at the gym. As the gym became more independent, he now works as a head coach at the gym while also continuing his work as an IT professional.
* Juan Pablo Saavedra is a courageous firefighter in the city of Louisville, KY and also works as a Head coach at the gym on his days off. He studied at the University of Louisville and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. He also holds a diploma as a Nurse and is certified in CrossFit Level I and Level II. Apart from his passion for sports, he is a martial arts enthusiast and practices jiujitsu.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most successful approach we’ve found to attract clientele to our gym is through our current members. We’ve managed to convey our passion for what we do, and not only that, but we also conduct our work professionally and always prioritize our clients’ well-being. We strive for every client who walks through our doors to feel special, providing them with personalized attention, guidance, and focusing on their needs. We motivate them, challenge them, and ensure they truly enjoy their experience. All of this prompts them to want to talk about our gym, and indeed, they are the ones who invite family and friends.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
What helps us maintain a good reputation within the community we serve is our professionalism in our work. For us, everyone who enters our gym is treated equally, regardless of where they come from or what they do. Our clientele is very diverse; we have many foreigners, mostly from Latin American countries, so we always demand respect among ourselves. Additionally, our programs inside the gym are truly effective. We work very rigorously because we believe it’s the only way to see results. However, we also adapt according to the individual. We cater to everyone from high-level college athletes to people who have never exercised in their lives. We care for both equally, pushing them but each according to their level of strength and physical condition. We are proud to say that we have changed the lives of many people, entire families; our clients can attest that thanks to us, they now live a healthier, happier life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://torofitnesstraining.com
- Instagram: @torofitnesslouisville
- Facebook: /torofitnesslouisville
