The biggest risk I've ever taken was opening Camp Rhino Boise and Caldwell.
The financial investment alone is enough to add 24/7 stress into anyone's life. Not even discussing business overhead, your are ultimately responsible for the livelihood of a team of people who rely on paychecks to feed their families and hopefully live happy lives. You're also responsible to deliver on a promise to your members - to be the best we can be at what we do, so they always receive what they deserve.
The hard stuff:
You pour your heart and soul and every waking moment into a dream that you are never certain will work. Your personal health can suffer. Your relationships can suffer. It's VERY easy to take care of everything else but yourself.
Members hurt you. Team members will hurt you. And nothing ever feels like it's good enough. Sometimes you feel as things just keep piling on top, but it's still your job to stand up and smile through it. You must be careful what you say, what you do, how you show up in the world - because you represent more than just you. Many days you feel like you are alone in a world of people who may or may not be out to get you. I could list 100 difficult things about owning a business. Dramatic? Maybe. True? Yes. Some days you question if the risk is even worth it.
But here's the thing. It's also THE BEST experience in the world.
While some members may hurt you, 99% of them are AMAZING and LOVING humans who are so grateful for the culture and gym family we've created. They live their best lives and that makes it worth it.
While some employees may hurt you, 95% of them are authentic, honest, responsible, committed and passionate people who follow through with the things they say and show great respect and love for what they've helped create and develop. And about 20% of team members will even go above and beyond what you ever expected and be as dedicated to the dream as you are - they are steady and dependable - those ones have literally saved me on the hardest days. The team makes it worth it.
And every single time I see someone post a story online or send me a msg that says they feel SO Much better now that they have their health - they chase dreams - they have more confidence - they've broken chains that have held them back - they are living their best lives - every single time... I cry.
THIS is why we went into business. This is why we take risks.
There is an epidemic of unhealth in this world. We want to help solve it. There is an epidemic of people believing they are unworthy of great things. We want to help solve it. There is an epidemic of anger, sadness and pain in this world. We are here to help solve it.
We are here to tell you that YOU are worthy. YOU are strong. YOU can do anything you put your mind to. YOU are valuable to this world. YOU belong. YOU can live the life you want. ALL of these things make the risk worth it.
What's the biggest risk you've ever taken? We'd love to hear about it.
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