We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Janet Navarrette. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Janet below.
Alright, Janet thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
In the exhilarating journey of starting my own business, I found myself at a crossroads. Armed with a promising idea and the necessary skills, I received a gentle nudge from a friend: “You’re practically there; all you need is a name!” Little did I know, that seemingly simple task would unleash a whirlwind of brainstorming sessions, endless contemplation, and more sleepless nights than I care to admit.
As I delved into the creative abyss, I was determined to infuse my venture with a personal touch—one that mirrored my passion for fitness and radiated an aura of pure enjoyment. It was during one of these reflective moments that I found inspiration in an unexpected place: my dear mother, a beacon of light in my life, whose Vietnamese name, Xanh, meaning “blue,” sparked a flicker of creativity within me.
Thus began my quest to intertwine my identity with the essence of fitness and fun. Blue… a color that resonated with me. And then it hit me—Blue J, the perfect fusion of personalization and vibrancy! But the puzzle wasn’t complete just yet.
Enter Google, my trusty companion in moments of need. A quick search revealed an enchanting tidbit: a group of blue jays is called a… PARTY! It was as if the stars had aligned, and Gymparty was brought into the world, adorned with a spirited mascot named Jim, the blue jay.
With Gymparty, we’re not just about workouts; we’re about celebrating the joy of movement, fueled by the spirit of camaraderie and fueled by the infectious energy of our vibrant community. So join us, as we spread our wings and soar into a world of fitness, fun, and endless possibilities! 🎉💪🏽
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?
It’s quite the amusing twist of fate that my journey into the fitness industry began almost serendipitously. In the midst of a career crossroads, I found myself in between jobs, pondering my next move. Almost on a whim, I decided to dip my toes into coaching a few fitness classes, thinking it would be a temporary diversion until my next career path revealed itself.
Little did I know that this seemingly casual decision would snowball into something far beyond my expectations. What started as a spontaneous venture soon evolved into a full-fledged commitment. I loved helping people become better versions of themselves and before I knew it, I found myself fully immersed in the exhilarating world of running my very own virtual fitness program. It’s funny how life has a way of leading us down unexpected paths, isn’t it?
I started Gymparty with a commitment to humble the fitness industry. To create a sanctuary amidst the cacophony of gym bros and Instagram models, offering people a program that would make them fall in love with fitness, not dread it.
We are committed to providing accessible, dynamic, and family-friendly fitness solutions that not only enhance physical health but also foster positive relationships.
Our goal is to create a fitness community that empowers you to prioritize your well-being while embracing the joy of getting active. Through a combination of engaging workouts, interactive activities, and a supportive network, we strive to inspire lasting lifestyle changes that extend beyond the gym.
Have you ever had to pivot?
YES! Covid, the great pivot catalyst! We did not start off as a Virtual program. Before the pandemic, we were a fully operational corporate wellness program offering services on site (face to face)! To me, virtual fitness was something along the lines of P90x or Billy Blanks video cassettes. So, I had to pivot and create a program that was virtual but still stayed true to our goals – friendly and effective, but from home.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
To go off the last question, it’s been nothing but resiliency post-pandemic times. It’s been a lot of uncertainty with virtual programs with people wanting to go back into a gym – which isn’t a bad thing. Even companies like Peloton are being effected, so imagine what’s it’s doing to a bootstrapped company like ours. But, I’ve shifted my focus from trying to grow exponentially to taking pride in growing a little slower. I’m choosing my own kind of clients and who I want to work with which is something I didn’t even know to consider!
Contact Info:
- Website: gymparty.com
- Instagram: @gymparty_