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

Isis, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

When I first started off it was based off alot of gym knowledge. I read alot of articles and books, became apart of a few public groups to start networking with other individuals in the same field of work as myself. My Coach at the time and now Boss at Barbell County Fitness taught me alot firsthand and I really appreciate that.
I personally learned alot from trial and error. You’ll never know if your idea is the GREATEST one yet unless you take the risk. I had struggles as far as what is my unique superpower? All other business owners have one WHAT IS MY UNIQUE TRAIT that will set me apart from my competitors. I spent a year doing workouts and exerting myself physically and expanding my mind somewhere in the grand scheme I realized I am a woman and there is not an All Female Inclusive space anywhere from where my eyes can see and that is when the trajectory of everything changed.

I decided to rebrand my business with that ideology on the brain, and it has worked out for the best. I changed my business name certain concepts and developed more complete ideas . One thing about rebranding is you will take a huge gamble but in the end the risk is worth the reward. If one way does not work out do not fear looking for another entry.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a Fitness Coach and Small Fitness Studio Owner of Gritty Girl Fitness formerly known as Beautiful Arce Souls.
I am a All Female Inclusive studio geared towards helping women feel empowered and restore confidence in ones self. Coal is a diamond in a lesser form so my goal is to encourage FORGED PATH to follow and diamonds are formed which is why our branding logo is a diamond shaped kettlebell. I felt it was priority to give women a safe space to be oneself. My goal is to change gym culture.
My studio is beginner friendly meaning I will work with you even if you have zero experience. You never know what kind of power you have unless you apply yourself. We do not fixate on weight lose but more along the lines of functionality with fitness and the weight loss will soon follow. I offer in person and online training as well as customized weekly workout plans based on your fitness journey and your goals.
I got my start by just joining a gym and my best friend lit one hell of a fire in my spirit and it has stuck with me ever since. I went through a series of trials and tribulations which is why I stand before you today saying “DO NOT LET YOUR DREAMS BE DREAMS!”

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think remaining true to myself and operating from a place of authenticity is why I have been so successful. I am not afraid to share my struggles and journey with the world because I am just as human as the next. People have a perceived connotation on how people should be portrayed and one thing I promised myself walking in is that I will allow my personality and my ways as an individual speak for itself and it truly has.
Networking has saved me on numerous occasions. You never know who you might meet. Who they may know? How they can support and uplift your business! It gets intimidating at times, but sometimes you need a little help paving roads and there is nothing like the support of the public.
I have a huge social media presence and that has catapulted business in ways I could only dream of! People message me all the time telling me they followed my page did a few workouts and have found success in weight loss! Such a powerful tool and phenomenal way to shine a spotlight on your craft as well.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?

I converted the garage of my home that was storage a bunch of junk into the most influential space in Central Texas. When I lost my job I had $17 and some change in the bank. I came home crying to my husband Angel and he asked me how was I going to get started on my dream? I was confused because I have less than $20 and he proceeded to give me a few hundred as start up! I bought paint and cleared out my garage THE SAME NIGHT!!! My husband is the one who funded me from the beginning because he believes in my dreams if not MORE THAN ME. He knows how great I can be so he took a chance, I also fund my gym from donations and I also work for a gym called “Barbell County Fitness” and use my work checks from there and reallocate it back into Gritty Girl and of course memberships help with the improvements of the space as well. I run a few small businesses in the midst of it all just to stay afloat but we make it work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachxisisxarce/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isis.arce.33/
• Other: https://www.alignable.com/temple-tx/gritty-girl-fitness
  https://www.facebook.com/people/Gritty-Girl-Fitness/61569200288765/
  https://www.facebook.com/people/Beautiful-Arce-Souls/100092851333955/