Thanks to Kevin from North Scottsdale CrossFit for turning me onto this super interesting interview between Jason Calacanis and 37singnals’ David Heinemeier Hansson. The focus is on technology start ups, but the business insights shared apply to all industries. It’s almost 2 hours in length…If you jump in right around minute 50 you’ll get a lot of the good stuff! Here are some of my favorite points made by DHH:
You should be working on your best idea right now.
Do something you care about and enjoy.
Profit is feedback that you’re doing something good for the world.
Lead with revenue, not financing.
Revenues don’t mean anything if you don’t have profits/earnings. If you have a business with lots of revenue but without the profits you’re just a business spinning your wheels.
Hi Nikki,
Love the blog. I has been very helpful during my start-up of RAW CrossFit.
Here is a link that you may want to share with your followers. http://thesmallbusinessweb.com/directory
It’s a bunch of helpful web resources for small business.
I was wondering if the Hiring a Trainer series was going to continu. I am most interested in information about exactly HOW you compensate your trainers (Are they IC’s or payrolled staff etc.?).
Hey Devin!
Thanks for the link. Yes the series will continue…I’m just juggling a bunch of projects right now. All of our staff are employees.
Also, I am having trouble getting clients to sign in via MindBody. Do you have any tips on how you encourage this?
Just realized I spelt your name wrong. Please do not equate haste with disrespect. :S
No worries
Hi Nicki,
I hope you enjoyed this past Mothers Day weekend. Quick question. I am opening up a new CrossFit box with zero clients and like the idea of establishing “leveled classes” for clients after they are done with the on-ramp program.
Do you think it would be better to start leveled classes later once I establish a solid client base or from the very start?
As of right now, I plan on structuring each class as followed with advanced and beginning clients working out together:
Dynamic Warm-up
Skill Set
WOD (modified as needed)
Cool Down Stretch
Thanks for your help Nicki. I really want to get people with the same athletic ability and experience in the same class but not sure if this is a smart move from the get go.
Hi Andrew -
I would wait until you have at least 5 athletes at a higher fitness level…so, I would open up only Elements classes (or whatever your first level is post-on ramp) and have everyone go from On Ramp to that next class. Then when you have a group of athletes that is clearly outperforming/in need of more advance technical coaching open up your Level 1 class and personally invite those athletes that qualify. When you are brand new the last thing you want is to have a ton of open class hours each with only 2-3 clients. You are better off with fewer classes each with more athletes and then using your other hours for 1-1 or small private groups…better revenue per hour in the beginning. Just my .02
Hi Nicki,
I own a box and I’ve been using the On Ramp program since it was first published. First I’d like to say how much I appreciate the program and see it as a natural stepping stone in CrossFit evolution.
What I’d like to know is the approximate drop-out rate between the On Ramp-course and regular classes.
I mean do I do more work than needed if I have ongoing On Ramp-classes in every week if there is a significant drop-out rate or would it be more beneficial to have the “call and arrange 1-1 personal training to hop in” -type of entry. Right know maybe 20-30% continue training after the On Ramp.
Again, I appreciate your work and probably it’s just me doing something wrong but I would like hear some experiences from your side and maybe stories of the evolution of the On Ramp -program. Was it always successful? What’s your ‘secret’?
Regards,
Vaino
Hi Vaino –
We typically have a 70-80% conversion rate….and we track our coaches who have the best conversions…and those coaches get more classes. Think of those 12 months as your time to shine as a coach and get them excited about training and being a part of your community. Also, how are you talking to them about signing up for group classes? When you get 2-3 weeks in start saying things like “when you are in Elements classes you will see….” Speak as if they are already signed up….