We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful John Hughes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with John below.

John, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

A new gym opened in my area and I decided it was time for a change as they had new equipment and a good variety of classes. Even though it was new, members were still exhibiting the same problems all gyms face with leaving weights on the floor, not re-racking and machines not being stripped of plates after use. This forced members to clean up after others. I started thinking about a possible solution. After working on prototypes during 2008 it was time to find durable materials and work on the designs. During this time I had become good friends with the gym manager and owners then proposed what I had developed. They were onboard and became my first customer and an excellent reference during the summer of 2009.

I couldn’t find a solution and secured the domain name www.PutMeBack.com, which reminded me of when I was younger and would borrow my Dad’s tools and all he asked us was to “put it back where you found it”.

There is a significant need to minimize problems all gyms face, which directly impacts member retention and acquisition. A clean and organized facility is going attract as well as retain members. If you let your gym go, so will your customers.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was just another person who wanted to keep fit and defy age as best I could to avoid health related issues by challenging myself in the gym. I also began practicing yoga in 1997 and still do, to this day. Trying to provide a solution to gym frustrations wasn’t high on my list, but there was a need nobody was filling. Convincing gyms their signage or lack of wasn’t working and our products are a better alternative. Owners who didn’t need convincing and get the concept.

At an early age I had many ideas, which we all do. Taking a leap of faith to develop a viable business because you believe so strongly is what determined this would work. Being involved in several startups also allowed me to see and experience the process in preparation for launching www.PutMeBack.com. Embracing the internet and the emergence of social media allowed me to grow the brand and get exposure worldwide. You must be resilient and thrive off the negativity as there were and still are doubters but Put Me Back has been providing solutions since 2009 with many repeat customers as well as new ones. We have several Division I NCAA Football programs as customers along with military bases, battle ships, national changes, physical therapy practices, 24-hour fitness facilities and solo, local gyms just trying to keep their facility better organized and not lose a customer as they face competition from other gyms vying for customers.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

I never thought of customers outside of the traditional gym/fitness industry, but having NASA several U.S. military bases, Darden Restaurants corporate headquarters. My favorite customer story is when I shipped an order Camp Casey in South Korea where my Dad was stationed during the Korean War. It is surprising when you realize the market is much bigger than expected.

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

Put Me Back has been self-funded from my personal savings since the beginning. Many lessons were learned along the way including advertising. Our low-price point costs the same to advertise as a company selling $3k exercise bikes. Social media, search engine optimization, direct mail, trade shows, client referrals and professional associations have all provided positive alternatives to attracting customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.putmeback.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/pmbsales/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putmeback
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/put-me-back-llc/about
• Twitter: @PMBack

Image Credits
All image credits are owned by PutMeBack, LLC.