Open
Since: 2008
Location: Boulder, Co.
Q: Where are you from?
A: I am from Monte Vista, Co., which is a small farm town. My family is full of farmers, preachers and pilots. I think I’m the first one to not go into one of these three fields! I received my undergraduate degree in exercise science with a nutrition minor from Colorado State University and lived in Denver before moving to Boulder.
Q: What was your career before franchising?
A: I launched a start-up for young professionals mentoring program soon after college.
Q: Why did you decide to open your own business?
A: The mentoring program was a stepping stone in the path to own my own business and certainly helped me from a management aspect. I also have a strong passion for the industry based on my background in exercise science and nutrition. I knew of MMSN because of my
background and had previously purchased from them.
I learned about MMSN from the franchising perspective when I met one of the regional contacts who conducted a MMSN seminar on nutrition and wellness while sitting on the board of the Denver alumni group for Colorado State University. We got along well and wanted to work together on conducting other programs, and then he asked me if I had any contacts that would be interested in purchasing development rights to the Boulder area. I talked with my father about it and got his support and started the franchisee process a few weeks later.
Q: What was appealing to you about joining
a franchise system?
A: Several people in my family own businesses, and I’ve seen that it can be difficult to know how to put the right structure and systems in place from the outset of starting a business. MMSN provided a structure and model for me as well as other supportive resources that helped make up for my lack of experience as a young business owner.
Q: With regard to your previous experience, what skills do you feel helped you in your business?
A: I’m good with people and building relationships. The residents of Boulder are highly educated and it is a small community that is deeply concerned with living a healthy lifestyle. I work hard to earn the community’s trust as an expert resource in nutrition and wellness.
Q: What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today with your business?
A: I grew up a fat little kid! In high school, I grew out of it and was athletic and played football, so I have been on both sides of the nutrition and wellness spectrum. In college, my focus was on really studying the body; when you understand your body, you can learn to manipulate it in a positive way. Towards my senior year, I also fell in love with cross training, racing snowboards & pulled the trigger & competed in my first triathlon.
In addition, working past the stereotype that a concept like Max Muscle is all about
“meatheads” is something I have worked hard at overcoming within the community. I spend a
lot of time focused on education and am involved with the University rugby, lacrosse, triathlon, & swim teams as well as area gyms.
Q: What are your expansion or development plans?
A: I will consider it in the future but am happy running my location for now.
ABOUT MAX MUSCLE SPORTS NUTRITION:
Established in 1991 by former NFL linebacker Joe Wells, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition (MMSN) is America's premier sports nutrition retail outlet and franchise system, selling a combination of scientifically proven nutritional supplements at more than 150 outlets in 32 states. Rated by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top Retail Franchise 2010, a Top 500 Franchise 2010 and by Military Times Magazine as a 2010 Best for Vets business, MMSN provides a one-of-a-kind in-store experience through its unique design and one-on-one customer counseling from extensively trained Certified Fitness Nutrition Coaches™. MMSN's aggressive expansion plans include offering its unique opportunity to qualified, business-savvy candidates. For more information, call 888-MAX-MUSCLE ext. 2 or visit maxmusclefranchise.com.
