I'm sure you've been here too as a gym owner...

When I have a meeting with someone, I can sense when they are nervous about pricing. I have done enough sales training to know that you should always talk about price at the end, after identifying a problem, a motive, a trigger for change, and then laying out the plan for solving the problem.

In my experience dealing with small business owners, this does not work. If people are overly concerned with pricing, just talk about it upfront. Get it out of the way. We've all been there, holding a very important concern or question in our head and not paying attention to a word being said until we blurt it out. Once we do, we feel better and can actively listen.

In our situation, a new client will hear and read all the reviews and think this is going to cost a fortune or become another costly monthly expense. The reviews are 95% positive, so they assume there must be a catch.

There is no catch. I don't like "catches" and surprises in my personal life, so I don't do that to others.

As I have told everyone from day one: if you follow what I recommend, this should cost you $0 out of pocket. There are no artwork, production, or monthly fees. Our pricing is based on the design itself. It is very rare for someone to truly beat us on pricing. Those who do usually aren't telling the whole story—some weird discount, some bartering deal, etc.

Even in the worst-case scenario, defined as the minimum order of 24 items, you should still net a 30-40% profit margin. It's still profitable even with the smallest possible order!

We do this because we believe in working with business owners in a straightforward and beneficial manner. There are many tricks to squeeze more dollars out of you, but I reject all of those ideas. Simply work with us when you want to. No contracts, fees, or crazy commitments. We're just here to help when you need us.

Gym owners understand the concept of starting from square one better than anyone. Just like new gym members face challenges in their first week, new clients starting a secondary revenue stream with apparel will find the initial order the toughest.

The First Week: The Toughest Challenge

For new gym members, the first week is the hardest mentally, physically, and emotionally. Similarly, for clients placing their first apparel order, especially if they’re new to selling or haven't organized apparel in a while, that initial order is challenging.

Setting Proper Expectations

I always advise new clients to have realistic expectations, especially with web stores. It usually takes an order or two to build demand and get people on board. Few clients can immediately put together a 150-piece order. Successful clients build demand over time, not overnight.

Building Consistency and Demand

Like gym members need to get into a routine, success with apparel comes from consistency. Hitting three to five orders and following a plan leads to success. It's just like coaching gym members through their initial struggles—push through, and it will be worth it.

Establishing a New Routine

Once you establish a new habit and routine, managing apparel becomes easier and more confident. People will sense your genuine effort to integrate apparel into the gym culture. Building this takes time, but the effort pays off.

In conclusion, starting with apparel, like fitness, is tough at first. With the right expectations, consistency, and a solid plan, you’ll successfully integrate apparel into your gym, enhancing its culture and revenue. Keep pushing through, and the results will be worth it.

I have never met a gym owner who has too much time on their hands. Burnout is a major issue in the fitness industry. Gyms are chronically and critically understaffed. Owners and coaches are burnt out.

Opening your business at 5am is not a "normal" thing. Staying open until 8pm 5 nights a week is not a normal thing. Running classes all weekend is not a normal thing. It grinds you down. You need time to recharge your battery. You need to work with vendors who can help you carve out this recharge time.

A good vendor will save you money.

A great vendor will save you money and time.

An amazing vendor will save you time, money, and energy.

Here are the three ways I am going to save you time, money, and energy:

Time- Quick response times and all artwork/edits are done within 1 business day.

Money- Pricing is competitively calculated based on the design itself. If you have a tight budget for a special project, we're happy to work with you.

Energy- Knowing you will complete 3-5 orders for the year and having someone who is going to be proactive for you will save you massive amounts of mental energy.

I used to say "I encourage you" or "I hope"...I'm just going to be honest...You need to work with a vendor who is truly going to take apparel off your plate. If you are not doing this, this process will burn you out and you'll quit doing it. Since most gyms make $3-5k in net profit on apparel, you're inevitably going to give yourself an unnecessary pay cut. 

If you can read an email on your phone, you can work with us. I just need you to approve mock ups and share a link. That is all we are asking you to do. If you can do that, I promise we'll help you buy back your time, money, and most importantly...energy.