Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael & Adrian Pequeno.
Michael & Adrian, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Adrian: I started boxing at 15yrs old here in Conroe, Tx. I was Houston Golden Gloves Champion 2014 and eventually decided to go pro. I was 3-0 with 2 KOs with my brother Michael Pequeno as my head coach. However, due to the pandemic fights were at a halt, and I decided to focus on a new career to support my family.
Michael: After my brother, Adrian fought Golden Gloves my then, 14yr old daughter Aliyah Pequeno had asked me if she could start boxing. That’s when I decided to take her to a local boxing gym and after a year we started driving to Houston to Elite Boxing and I met Coach Rudy Silva. It was at this time that I started to learn the fundamentals of boxing. After 4 years of training my daughter and few other students, my brother, Adrian asked me to train him for his professional boxing career but once he decided to hang the gloves up, we were both left with no option but to find work to support our families.
My daughter eventually went to pursue her pro career and signed with her management team so with my brother done with boxing and my daughter moving on and I was just working 12hr shifts, I felt an emptiness. I missed training, going to tournaments, nationals, etc. and my brother felt the same way in August 2022 the opportunity for this location right in the heart of Conroe opened up for us. My brother and I worked so hard, using all our resources to get this gym together – working night and day. We got blessed by so many of our friends and family helping us out any way they could – painting, welding, demolition… And on October 8, 2022, the LORD blessed us with our grand opening to the public.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Michael: Starting a business in general was a struggle because we both were new to this. We had to use all our funds we made through working construction and other odd jobs and investing every dollar into the gym. It left us broke and struggling, but luckily our families believed in our dreams and supported us through the process.
Adrian: The biggest obstacle for me was finding the light at the end of the tunnel! When we first got the building, it needed a lot of work, so putting all the time, effort, and money into getting it the way we envisioned it felt like a long road. A lot of long days and nights!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Adrian: We are both certified USA Boxing coaches trying to get to the highest level of boxing and bring a WORLD Champion out of Conroe, Tx but now we are seeing it’s bigger than boxing and trying to make a champion not only in boxing but in LIFE. We want to see kids and adults grow spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Michael: We train all ages starting at 5yrs old with a strong foundation of boxing, and our classes are based on different levels and experience. We are building confidence and strong temples in all our students. We had one student tell us he lost 30 lbs and doesn’t feel self-conscious about wearing a jacket in school anymore. That’s the type of energy we thrive on to see our visions come to reality. We are very family oriented and based it off our grandma who is 101yrs old and always kept our family close together and made sure we all lift each other up. In our gym we don’t allow nobody to talk down on the next person, that is our main rule we are all here as a family to grow together in boxing and life and to create a bond that is forever.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Michael: To anyone starting out, the best advice I can give is: The road may be long but don’t give up and if you fall down always get back up and put your trust in the Lord and let your faith guide your steps.
Adrian: It takes drive and dedication to get started, but it takes time, consistency, and trust in GOD to be great.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/pequenosboxing
- Facebook: pequenos boxing
