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

Margherita, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

This is one of my favorite stories about our business because is still amaze me till this day and remind me how blessed I am. When we opened our door, we truly didn’t have a plan, besides few tips from the franchise we used to be a part of. We truly opened our doors with 0 ( zero ) clients…
We were going to the gym, hoping that people would show up, we had a Groupon going and that started to bring some people in.
I remember that our first client name was Pam, and Pam taught me a good business lesson…
Pam paid in full for 10 months instead of a year and when I told her that the check was 2 months shorts, she responded: “I don’t know if you will be still in business then, most new businesses fail within the first few months”. I was so mad, but at the same time that gave me the push that I needed cause I said: “we will still be here, and we are not going anywhere” and 8 years later, pandemic and all, here we are, still here standing strong.
That was definitely a great life and business lesson, when people doubt you, prove them wrong!

Margherita, 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?

My name is Margherita Riello, I was born in a small town in Italy called Marostica located by Vicenza in the Veneto region. I am a Body Transformation Expert, certified ISSA Personal Trainer, Precision Nutrition Student, and FAI Certified Coach.
Me and my fiancé opened our studio 8 years ago.
The business was initially a franchise and we rebranded as Bell
fitness in 2019.
Our common passion for fitness and people is what pushed us to open Bell Fitness.
Our motto is: “Give us 30 minutes and we will change your life”. I am passionate about helping people changing their lives from their inside out and while they are discovering their full potential. Bell fitness is not a gym, it`s a safe place where people find guidance, support and new friendships while they are achieving their fitness goals. I teach our member about proper nutrition and proper form while exercising, without making them feel judged. When they walk out of our door they are happy and recharged. I take pride about helping our community and keeping it healthy.

Have you ever had to pivot?

The pandemic was a perfect example on how we had to pivot quick to be able to survive abs keep serving our community.

During the pandemic we were mandated to close down like many other businesses, but I knew I couldn’t do that, I couldn’t just leave our clients hanging and also risking to lose the business.

We started with zoom, then we went to the park, then both. We moved to the parking lot behind our studio and kept doing outdoor workouts for over a year.

It wasn’t easy we had to come up with body weights workouts only at first, then circuits without sharing the equipment.
It was definitely a challenge and it happened so fast, but we made it out of it stronger and more resilient:)

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe in building connection and create a community. A business especially a small one cannot survive without a community that supports it.

Trough the year I build many relationships with amazing people that create a referral and trust system and that is what truly always helped us.
Our members are like a second family to us.
Our members know how much we care about them and that’s why they stay and if they leave they come back.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bellfitnessaz.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/bellfitnessaz/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/bellfitnessaz
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCOyUguuU3qv2cIR92M0l4UQ
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/db8o7uhUdpb

Image Credits
Sarah Hoag Photography