Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Olson.
Lisa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I had my first daughter, I was a Special Education teacher and working way too many hours each week. I knew I needed a change and that I wanted to do something where I could be around other moms. I looked into Stroller Strides classes and decided it would be a great fit for me. I jumped right in, starting the business at only 6 weeks post-partum. It seemed like a crazy jump to make, but I’ve always been one to dive head first into things. Thankfully, a fellow FIT4MOM owner in Pearland was there for me, and with the fantastic support I’ve received from the corporate offices I have flourished.
The first few years, my goal was just to not lose money. I was having an amazing time leading workouts with a small group of moms who became my closest friends. Slowly, the group began to grow and soon we were ready to expand and hire an additional instructor. The group continued to grow as my clients told their friends about the physical and emotional strength they were gaining.
It’s now been almost 5 years and I can’t even count all the beautiful moms who have been a part of this journey. We now have 7 franchises in the Houston area, and we are continually growing and helping more moms find their own strength in motherhood.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
With any business, there are always struggles. Personally, I never thought I would be a business owner. It was hard at first to even understand the value in what I was providing. I was getting so much from the classes that I had a hard time charging my clients. As I progressed, I struggled with marketing and bookkeeping. I struggled with personnel decisions. I struggled with keeping my business in order while also being a full-time mommy to two littles.
FIT4MOM Clear Lake – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At FIT4MOM we provide the opportunity for moms to find their strength at all stages of motherhood. We provide FIT4BABY prenatal classes which keep pregnant moms active and in touch with their bodies. We also have Stroller Strides classes which are a total body workout with kids in the stroller. Our most intense program is called Body Back. Body Back is a result based 8-week program that combines HIIT (high intensity interval training) with a balanced, whole food, nutrition plan.
All of our programs focus on the total mom. We are so much more than sets and reps. It’s incredible to see how moms can change so much just by having the right coaching and encouragement. We create communities through our classes as well as Our Village which provides playdates and mom’s night out activities. Our Village supports and welcomes every mom, no matter what.
I am most proud of the times I’ve heard things from my clients about breaking through barriers in their lives.
Sometimes those barriers are physical, like doing a certain number of pushups. Sometimes those barriers are deeper, like postpartum depression and anxiety.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as the ability to go to sleep at night feeling like I’ve done enough. If I hit the goals I have set for myself, that is easy. If I haven’t, I need to spend some time figuring out why I fell short.
Contact Info:
- Website: clearlake.fit4mom.com
- Email: lisaolson@fit4mom.com
- Instagram: fit4momcl
- Facebook: fb.com/StrollerStridesClearLake
Image Credit:
Dena Wang
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