We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Debbye Roman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Debbye, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
Our personal trainers do not work based on commission, they are not independent contractors. This allow a less competitive and greedy environment. All clients are everybody’s clients. Our clients can come in to train at any time with one of our trainers, they don’t train just with one, this gives them a lot of flexibility to book their sessions. The community is inclusive, and non-intimidating.
Debbye, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I grew up in Mexico. In a small town in the south of the country called Tabasco. I come for a loving and caring family. I did not play sports growing up and was not interested in fitness the way I am now. I started running at a young age, may be 12, but I would do it just to stay skinny, not because of the health benefits. When I moved to STL in 2013 I started lifting weights, and I used it as a cope mechanism to cope with PTSD. It became a part of my life and when I realized I could do this for a living I had no doubt that’s what I wanted to do. For a long time I had 2 jobs to support myself and now I own a business. Our gym is different from others because the sense of community is reflected in everything we do, we know our clients, we are part of their lives even outside of the gym, our clients know each other, it’s truly a friendship. Not having our trainers compete for clients makes a huge difference.
Every client has a personalized program specifically designed for them, we also offer group classes. These classes are fun and help us build the teamwork environment with our clients.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I’m an immigrant, I came here knowing no one, I came searching for the American Dream. I worked in the food and beverage industry which is not an easy industry, but it taught everything I know about costumer service, and how to interact from all kinds of people. My degree is in Hospitality, to me all industries are costumer service industries. I am not ashamed of my background. I survived a kidnap attempt when I was 23 years old, right before I came to St Louis. This experience made me want to be strong and that’s how my weight lifting journey started, it was like therapy.
I used to have 2 jobs, long hours, early mornings and late nights. I had to built my clientele, learned how to sale memberships while I was still waiting tables. It was not easy, but I had the drive and good people in my life who cheered me up and didn’t allow me to give up.
Eventually I came to the gym I now own, worked from the bottom, helping with anything they asked me to, folding towels, cleaning, training clients, etc.
I have learned a lot, and I’m blessed and thankful for being able to be in a leadership position, I hope I can be a good leader for my employees and clients.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Community, our clients all know each other in and out of the gym, the community of University City, MO is very close Our clientele grows mainly by referrals and I’m thankful for that
Our clients speak highly of us without any incentive, the support my staff and I and they are proud of being part of our gym
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Lance Thurman photographer