This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance is purely coincidental.
“I can’t believe you can’t see this HUGE trend sitting right in front of you.”
“What are you talking about. My girls don’t want to learn that stuff.”
“I’ll make you a bet. I’ll start doing it at my club to test it out and if it works, I’ll show you how to do it for your club.”
“That’s not a bet. Put some money up chump.”
“Oh, it’s like that?”
“You bet it is.”
“Name the bet.”
“$1,000 bucks.”
“Are you serious?”
“What, you don’t have it?”
“Oh. I have it. But, let’s be clear about the bet.”
“I’m listening.”
“I have to enroll 10 people at $100 per person for this new program and I have two weeks to do it.”
“So, if you meet the deadline I owe you $1,000 and if you don’t vice versa.”
“You got it.”
“That’s a bet. No way you can pull that off.”
“We’ll see.”
Charles is a franchise owner at AllDay Fitness in Decatur and Darlene owns a pilates studio in Little Five Points. The couple is fun-loving, yet quite competitive. Charles always has crazy ideas and flies by the seat of this pants. Darlene is more thoughtful and methodical.
This whole conversation came about right after the election. Since Charles is a little more pessimistic than most, he had the brilliant idea that self-defense classes would be in high demand because of all the turmoil.
Since AllDay Fitness doesn’t offer self-defense, Charles had to get creative and resourceful. He called Pete at The Knucklers over in Douglasville and talked to him about a collaboration. Charles and Pete have a great relationship. Pete was happy to oblige.
Since the offer was to members of AllDay Fitness, it made sense for Pete to teach a few classes at Charles’ location. They sat down and designed a very simple four-week program conducted on Saturday mornings. They decided to run the classes twice. One at 9AM and the next one at 11AM. Classes last an hour. There is an optional 30-minute Q&A at the end of each class.
Pete and Charles designed this program in an hour, made a few flyers, and posted them at AllDay Fitness on a Saturday morning. By Tuesday evening, the classes were full. 40 people (20 in each class) had signed up for this four-week self-defense class in less than four days.
They conducted the classes with each class building upon the next. They trained 40 people to defend themselves from attackers. They held a graduation ceremony for the participants. And they split the profits. Now that they are partners, there are plans for more collaboration down the road.
Although Charles won the bet, he was very gracious in victory. He took Darlene to Houstons on Peachtree to celebrate.
Your Turn
How can you use this story to make changes in your business? Could you imagine implementing a self-defense class into your fitness programs and creating a new income stream? What about the camaraderie it creates between your members? And the influence you’ll have in the community?
Let me know your thoughts. I’m here to help.