Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicholas Kimps. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nicholas, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Honestly, I was tired of seeing a consistent missed opportunities for excellent care of clients. I was witnessing some good training/group fitness classes, mostly ok, and rarely what I would consider great. It seemed as if most people got into the industry as a hobby, convenience, or last resort rather than a passion, and I was perplexed as people being ok with the overall quality they were putting out there, and seeming inattention to detail. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I felt like I was seeing things that few others were. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, so it only made sense to me to move to a position where I could train others to be (better) instructors. After the pandemic closed many of the local studios, I knew I would open something when the time was right, and I have to admit my dream started small in many ways, but has become something substantial since then, and I am excited to see what all comes of it. Essentially I will marry my 3 greatest loves into one business, and simplify fitness and wellness for people in a more meaningful and impactful way. I will train new instructors in hot yoga and other group fitness mentalities, mentor and intern with them, and then use the studio as the training facility. Creating better trainers and fitness professionals all the while raising the bar on the quality and consistency of our offerings. I am most excited about helping people see the medicine that is movement and helping them understand themselves better, predominantly in the ways I had to learn the hard way and through trial and error. I want to build a future of wellness through community!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Originally I was an academic, and slated to work as an entomologist, likely in industry. Although the idea of being restricted to a lab or even a classroom full of red tape felt ominous and not much like the life I had dreamt of. Fortunately for me, I graduated during the economic downturn in 2010 and every job I had applied for was taken up my PhDs, even though they were Master’s Degree positions. I was low on cash, and really frustrated at the lack of things working out as I had planned. Although that may not be an isolated incident in my life, but also seems very fortuitous in guiding me towards what has now become a career and passion. My friend, and I’ll never forget this, said, hey the gym I workout at is hiring, maybe you should submit an application, and I scoffed and made an unseemly comment about trainers and being a scientist. My friend said, “ok ok, well, I think the gas station is hiring.” Mic drop moment! I could hear a pin drop in the recesses of my mind, as the gravity of this realization sunk in. That was over 11 years ago, and I am so glad my friend challenged me in that moment. It was a linchpin moment that can only be seen as such in hindsight.

I took to the industry quickly because unbeknownst to me, it was quite scientific in the way you asses, design, test, and adjust for each client, and the subtleties of movement as you really dial into the biomechanics. I quickly found I liked getting up super early in the morning and essentially getting paid to socialize and help all day. I quickly became the top trainer with sales and scheduling, and then began to see other areas I could expand into, like group fitness. A whole new world had been opened to me and I was hooked. You see, I had always been a chunky kid and in college I decided that first year I wanted to get in shape and do something about it. However I hired a trainer who told me I had to choose between burning fat and putting on muscle. Yeah, that was the convention back 20 years ago, but even then I knew that wasn’t the truth, even if that was the best they knew. At any rate, I lost a bunch of weight, learned to love exercise, especially running and lifting weights and my fat melted away, however I had to work through some eating challenges as I also was a part of the low fat low carb era. It’s been a journey, to say the least.

At any rate, I say all this to highlight all of my hard earned, first hand, experience. I may be biased, but I think all the examples of what not to do or the most inefficient makes me uniquely qualified to help people as I wasn’t afraid to try new and different things. Mostly, as I’ve matured, I have come to know that fitness and wellness is marketed in a problem based system and marketing is hardly consistent in educating and or helping people. It’s mostly just to sell the next thing. Don’t get me wrong, some things are helpful, useful, and needed, but I have reservations about the sales company telling me about my body and what it needs, rather than educating and offering me options for solutions.

Essentially that is what I am aiming to do. Simplifying wellness through education, movement, and community. I want to
Empower people to choose their health and empower educators to do the same for their clients. I understand there are basic truths and fundamentals to wellness, but the individual application is as varied as there are people walking about. Wellness has never been a one size fits all, and DIVO Wellness is committed to educating and supporting people in their wellness endeavors, whether it is professionally or personal, and at the level of individual attention they need. Some people need one on one, and others need less, and some are fine within a larger group. My studio holds space for this, and has aimed to simplify choices so people don’t have to think too much about the process nor the investment in themselves.

I am most proud to bring creative wellness that is not commodified, but rather a synergy of the simple fitness truths and the complexities of individuality. I want people to value who they are and recognize the beauty of what they bring to the table, the community, and the part they play in the healthful living of life at the studio and beyond.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

This is a story, in process, and as of the writing of this, not completely solved, although I hope to by the end of the week. First, and foremost, you must believe in the vision and mission and be COMMITED come hell or high water. Passion must carry you, even in the darkest moments, it’ll light your way.

Now, I’d say the best place to start is to ask anyone and everyone you know and trust who they know that might have capital and or where startup funding may be available. This is an ongoing thing, each week I’ve come up with new people to ask. Sometimes Google can help, but I find people associated with the city and or
Local community to have more of an understanding what and whom to ask.

Don’t place all your eggs or bets in one basket. Assume that life will happen and it won’t work out, and just keep searching. I will say that after you’ve gone through the process with one bank or provider, it becomes easier and easier as you’ll have compiled most, if not all of the paperwork and supporting evidence you need. Make sure you know the different types of loans there are and the difference between them and grants. I’ll just say that some situations, like mine, require money on the front end, but not as much once the ball gets rolling, so some terms for loans are not wise or prudent. If you don’t know, ask ask ask until you do.

I have a fantastic presale plan for my business but ran into multiple roadblocks with timing: turn around time for architects, speed of construction bid process, and costs for construction in current market. It’s been challenging to say the least, but even more educational. Much like my learning in the fitness and wellness industry, I hope to understand this process so well that I won’t have any more
Troubles in the future, and possibly help others in the process.

I think crowdfunding and sourcing, or client funded acquisition is an amazing way to fund your business, if you have a way to deliver on your promises. So currently I am holding on presale so I can get enough funds to satisfy bonding company for construction, however seeming as how this is a new business, I am having to rely on personal assets and prayers to help me look more appealing to investors and banks. The silly part is, that once I sign the construction deal, I will start preselling the business and will start in the black rather than in debt.

Alas, I now know the ins and outs of funding a project quasi last minute and with little equity to stand on, as it is a new business even though I’ve been in business for 11 years. If it sounds confusing. Yeah, it is…

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Be remarkable. Whether it is your personal style, the clothes you wear, or the energy you bring to the sessions or class; be remarkable. Be a worthwhile recommendation or conversation. How do you do that, be authentic, and BRING IT. That will differ industry to industry, but the essence is the same: passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: www divowellness.com
• Instagram: @divowellness
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divofitness?mibextid=ibOpuV
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/nicholas-wade-kimps-0a3064278
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@divofitnesssapereaude7914?si=dGf7BpyfOlZuJt1y