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Remember Everyone Deployed (R.E.D.): A Call to Action

 

In the heart of our community lies a powerful tradition that binds us together, honoring those who serve far from home. This tradition is known as R.E.D. Friday, an acronym that stands for "Remember Everyone Deployed." It's a simple yet profound way to show our collective support for United States service members currently deployed overseas. By donning the color red each Friday, we stand united in gratitude and remembrance for the sacrifices made by our troops.

The Essence of RED Friday

R.E.D. Friday is a concept that transcends mere acknowledgment. It's a vibrant, visual statement of support that doesn't cost a dime—just the willingness to wear something red. At our box, we've partnered with Forever Fierce to design shirts specifically for RED Fridays. While purchasing these shirts supports the cause, the essence of RED Friday is participation. Whether it's a red shirt, shorts, or leggings you already own, the act of wearing red is what counts.

More Than Just a Color

RED Friday goes beyond the color. It's a day when our workouts, our community, and our hearts align with those serving far and wide. As we gear up for the CrossFit Open, our programming remains dedicated to excellence, and post-Open, we aim to incorporate Hero and Benchmark workouts to further honor our heroes. This initiative is especially close to our hearts as a Veteran Owned and Operated Affiliate, deeply rooted in a community of veterans, firefighters, police officers, nurses, and teachers—all of whom we consider heroes.

Building a Community of Support

Our journey with RED Friday has been one of unity and remembrance. Initiating the tradition was seamless, given our veteran-owned status and the presence of community heroes among us. The challenge was never about buy-in; it was about remembrance. Yet, the sight of a sea of red every Friday serves as a powerful reminder of our collective commitment. Our gym's name, CrossFit IGY6, symbolizes this commitment. "I Got Your Six," a phrase coined by WWI pilots, embodies our ethos of loyalty and support, not just within our walls but extending globally to those who protect us.

Spreading the Word

Our vision for RED Friday reaches beyond our gym. We aim to inspire other gyms to join this noble cause, fostering a wider community of support. CrossFit's tradition of honoring troops and fallen heroes through Hero workouts aligns perfectly with the spirit of RED Friday. Our collaboration with neighboring gyms, like CrossFit HSE, signifies the growing momentum of this initiative. By sharing our designs and ethos, we hope to encourage more affiliates to embrace RED Friday, amplifying our collective support for deployed service members.

In closing, RED Friday is more than just a tradition—it's a movement. A movement that honors the courage, sacrifice, and loyalty of our deployed service members. Let's wear red on Fridays, not just as a symbol of support, but as a commitment to never forget those who serve on our behalf. Join us in spreading the awareness and impact of RED Friday, for in unity, we make a profound difference.

 

 

 

Deciding Between A Template or Custom Design

Audio: Deciding Between A Template or Custom Design

Which sell the most items? Best selling templates or a custom design? 

In this post, I'll do my best to go over the honest pros and cons of both to help you make the right decision. 

To start, every gym is different and we tailor our process to each gym owner's personality, philosophy, and business procedures. 

Some clients enjoy the apparel process. They have ideas. They have a specific direction.

Some clients hate this process. They have no idea what to do. They want this off their plate and wrapped up within 3-4 emails. 

Some clients are a mix of the two! That works too. 

For all new clients, I encourage them to run 2 orders with us. 1 order from our best seller templates. 1 order from a custom idea that we come up with. See which one sells best. 

Best Seller Templates

Pros: 

  • Saves time
  • Takes out the guess work
  • Many options to look at
  • "Delegatable"
  • Plenty of variety

Cons:

  • Another gym may have the same design
  • Can feel "off brand"

Custom Design:

Pros:

  • An "on brand" feel.
  • Unique and specific to you

Cons:

  • Extra time required
  • Taking a shot in the dark
  • Extra back and forth required
  • Unproven track record
  • Tough to delegate
  • May lead to extra cost if a custom illustration is required

Will Every Order Be A Home Run?

We've all been there. That one order you thought would be popular, "everyone will love!", and "this is a home run!"...but it flops. You feel dumb for even suggesting it and you decide you lost you apparel mojo forever. 

The honest truth with selling apparel is simply this: Not every order is going to be a home run. Any business selling any type of apparel will tell you that there are orders where they only sell 25% of what they were expecting. 

Do you encourage clients to give up on fitness just because they had a bad workout? Nope. You show up for the next session and follow the plan. You make adjustments. You focus on the long term. 

The best piece of advice I can give you is this:

Consistency wins (Get On an Apparel Plan)

You need to be consistent with ordering (Establishing a Culture of Apparel In Your Gym)

You need to change up the designs (Play the Long Game)

You need to use incentives (Incentives Matter)

You need a marketing plan (Marketing Guide)

Every order may not be a home run but when you combine these tactics, a plan that works, and ask the right questions to improve your preorder, you will minimize the orders that fall flat.