A Detour at Maryland
Rewind to 2018, and I find myself stepping into the world of sports performance as an intern at The University of Maryland. Back then, my goal was straightforward: spend three months there and walk away with a coveted position as a head strength coach somewhere. Spoiler alert – life had other plans. After nearly nine months at Maryland, my journey took an unexpected turn, leading me to Villanova University.
The Villanova Years
My five-year stint at Villanova was nothing short of incredible, but it was undeniably long. I often found myself spending close to 90 hours a week at the facility. Now, I’m not complaining; that’s just what it took. However, as the weeks went by, I started questioning the value of time. Despite dedicating more than half of my week to one location, my productivity seemed to plateau at best.
The Side Hustle Emerges
During my time at Villanova, I became a skilled coach, beloved by athletes and appreciated by coaches. Yet, I knew deep down that I was destined for more. So, with the power of the Villanova logo and some influential connections, I carved out a side hustle, training clients on the side for that extra income every strength coach craves.
Juggling Act
With a slightly lighter workload at Villanova, thanks to my side hustle, I managed to build a solid client list and make decent money on the side. However, I found myself back in the familiar territory of working 80+ hours a week. On top of that, I was pursuing an MBA at Villanova. Money was flowing in nicely, but I was maxed out on hours. It was decision time.
The Bold Decision
After completing my MBA, I made the bold choice to quit my job at Villanova. My side hustle had blossomed into a lucrative venture, demanding only a fraction of the hours compared to my full-time job. January marked the beginning of a new chapter – I was running multiple gym sessions, serving as an executive director for a non-profit, and facing the all-too-familiar challenge of time constraints.
Streamlining the Business
Realizing the need for a solution, I set out to streamline my business and regain control over my schedule. Step one: define my ideal client and focus on longer-term commitments. No more one-off sessions – every client committed to an 8 or 12 package deal. I introduced small group sessions and tiered online training, enabling me to scale my services efficiently.
Maximizing Efficiency
Instead of trading hours for a set amount of money in individual sessions, I adopted a more efficient approach. I started stacking clients into group sessions, maximizing the impact of each hour. Online training became a key component, reducing time commitments and travel hassles.
Balancing Growth and Quality
As my business continued to grow, I faced the ongoing challenge of balancing expansion with maintaining quality. Currently employing two 1099 contractors, my business is not just training more clients but also focusing on delivering top-notch sessions, content, and education. The vision of “creating fitness solutions for athletes and professionals” remains at the forefront, and I am determined to execute it at the highest level.
In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, challenges persist, but my journey highlights the importance of understanding how to reclaim precious hours. As a business owner, it’s not just about working harder but smarter – finding solutions that not only grow the business but also enhance the quality of life.
ONWARD!
With Strength,
Colin Masterson – Performance Coach
Employee – CM1 Performance
If you would like to join a comprehensive plan Click Here!
Let's Connect on Social!