Jolie Glassman of South Florida Boxing, Inc.
What is the story behind SFB?
In 1997, I met my ex-husband and he was the door guy in at a club and I was a school teacher. He always told me that he was going to https://experience.tripster.ru/experience/Istanbul/sights/ open up an English Pub, a Bowling Alley, or a Boxing Gym because they tore down the 5th street gym back in the early 1990s. So, I thought it was really cool and I was very much into gyms and fitness. He actually brought boxing into the fitness world; that was his idea. He eventually opened the gym and I would come in every day after school and work in the gym. We had no air conditioning or anything at that time.
What is a typical day like for you at South Florida Boxing?
I get to work and workout. “I basically eat, sleep, and breathe fitness.”I basically eat, sleep, and breathe fitness. I come in and deal with the problems such as leaks, toilets breaking, employee issues, etc. but I am okay with it; it’s just a part of the business. I just take it as it comes. By the end of the day, I look at my agenda on my phone to see what I may have missed, and then I jump on that right away or forward it to another day / time on my calendar. Really, my typical day is very dependent on my Blackberry.
So you follow a very planned agenda?
Well, I get done everything I am supposed to do according to my Blackberry but I don’t feel that I plan too much. Much of my day I am out there with the people. I’m out there with the members. I’m out there with the staff. I mean, I create the energy that goes on in here.
Are you still doing a lot of personal training?
I step in if my trainers are late, and usually I will just continue on the session even if they show up late and I tell them “don’t worry, I’ve got it now.” I train if people really request me. If it’s a girl and I know she is really tough then I will train her but what I like to do the most is train my staff and see that they are being the best they can be. I’m always training / teaching (since that’s my passion) but not in an appointment / private session setting – more random.
What have you found to be most challenging over the years as a business owner?
Most challenging as a gym owner, business owner; I would say staff. I think it is like in the old days, the bosses used to be very strict but now-a-days it doesn’t really go over very well. I mean, it doesn’t go over well for me. So I think staff is difficult sometimes. You can’t be really strict with them because you want this to be a very nice place for them to come to work- and they also have direct contact with my members. “The hardest thing about owning a gym is that most of the people that join a gym don’t know about a gym.”I favor my employees the most I think – if they’re happy – then they’re able to make everyone else they come in contact with happy. The hardest thing about owning a gym business is that most of the people that join a gym don’t know about a gym. Then the competition, that is not really competition, is what they are joining. They go there and get a bad taste in their mouths and assume that we are the same.
Also, having to explain that “yes it is a boxing gym” but that you do not (will not) get hit and that it is not just for men. Basically, overcoming that this is “not just a boxing gym.” People are often intimidated by that. It is a lot of educating that I have to do. Advertising is probably the next biggest challenge. For instance, if you get a pizza flyer on your door you may purchase one but if you get a gym flyer people look at it and say, “oh, tomorrow.”“South Florida Boxing: It’s not just a boxing gym”
How many employees do you currently have?
I only have 3 full-time employees at this time, not including myself, and everybody else is considered “independent contractors.” Total, there are about 19 employees / independent contractors that make this place what it is.
With obesity on the rise and public health becoming even more of a major concern what changes do you foresee in the future with regards to fitness, health and wellness. You are in the position to make a big difference.
I feel great. Being that I come from a teaching background, I’m starting a 501c3 called the “Lean Teens.” I have Alonzo Mourning’s kids from his Overtown Youth Center program (OYC) coming twice a week now for training and many other kids as well. I love working with kids and kids’ fitness and getting them started at such an early age. Fitness is on the rise, but so is obesity, ironically. The vending machines are full of junk; the food is disgusting, etc. People are not educated about the foods they are eating. They think that sugar free and fat free is where it’s at. They drink diet sodas, loads of garbage, and soft drinks. Chemicals are disgusting. I personally just try not to have anything processed or chemically enhanced or anything. So with this on the rise, the things I want to do is make contact with the kids and help to educate them more and create a family styled gym-which I feel like I already have. I do plan on franchising / licensing the business out and I want to keep them all family-styled gyms.
It is also a really great bonding experience, right?
It is so great. Parents don’t get along with their teenagers; they don’t do anything with them sometimes. “I love it when the parents and kids can take the class together and they actually really challenge each other a bit more”But if they come and work out with them I notice right away that they are engaged, but also very out of shape as parents. I am totally in heaven when the kids come in. I love it when the parents and kids can take the classes together and they actually really challenge each other a bit more. I just want kids to want to work out. If they want to work out then they will want to eat better too. It’s the workout that comes first and serves as the motivation to watch what you eat.
Kids these days have no energy outlet. They are on their i-phones, video games, etc., and they are not as physical these days. Dropping physical education courses from some schools is not helping out much either.
In the past, or currently, when things didn’t go the way you wanted how did you (do you) remain motivated; especially when you first started here?
It is for the love of it for me. It is so easy for me to be motivated about what I do here just because I love fitness and the industry and most of all, I LOVE MY GYM. There have been about 10 gyms that have opened this year right here on South Beach and two boxing gyms. Everyone asks, “oh, are you concerned about that gym opening up down the street?” My concern is me and my gym. Every minute I take thinking about someone else is one minute less I have to spend thinking about me and South Florida Boxing, my staff, and my members. Right now, there is plenty to go around. I don’t think about it too much. I just move on and continue to focus on what is important…South Florida Boxing.
What strategies have you found work for you to help you to keep pushing forward towards your business goals?
What helped me most was the intensive work I did at Landmark. The communication courses really helped me because I listen. I listen to my staff and I listen to what they want from me and we all work so great together. I walk the walk.
How do you bring in leads?
I do a referral program. People can always bring in their friends. If they do 6 months or a year they get a free month. Also, a new one I am going to start promoting is that they will get $40 on the spot when a friend of theirs joins the gym. Also, I am in almost every networking group. I’m in the Concierge Association, Chamber of Commerce, and Woman’s Business Council. I am like a walking advertisement or commercial. I do events; I have a PR person, the Flyer, newspapers, etc. I do a lot of outreach and a lot of charity events.
How do you plan ahead for change or unexpected circumstances?
Really, I just take it as it comes and then I just deal with it. I’ve been through a lot of things in my life so those experiences have really helped me to put the “real problems” in perspective. Very little can throw me off course right now and I don’t divulge myself in worrying about things that are, in the long run, insignificant. I still get to go home, eat, and go to sleep and I am very satisfied with that. I am very fortunate to have the job that I love to do.
When you first meet a potential client or a potential business partner is there anything that stands out to you that is an indication that things will work out mutually or in your favor; that things will go well?
I always say that the answers are in the questions. So I tend to ask a lot of questions to learn more for myself. I am a good feel for energy and work best with those types of people. Manners are the key for me, especially at the beginning. But the truth is, I love all types of people; moreso those who bring out the best in me.
What would you say are the top two most important qualities in people in business?
Just two? Wow, there are so many. I’d have to say hard working and high common sense.
How do you feel about your position as a role model (i.e., a female boxing gym owner)?
It is kind of weird to hear it said that way because sometimes I feel like I am still a kid. I especially feel like a kid when I’m with them because I have so much fun doing the training and educating them on fitness. I love being a role model for them because I love being a teacher and leading by example. I love making such a difference in so many people’s lives.
Regarding leadership; how would you describe yourself as a leader?
Just that I lead by example. Don’t ask anyone to do something that you are not willing to do yourself. I also treat everybody the same. I think you need to be super motivated, super on-the-ball, and really good at what you do.
What are the traits that you look for in a leader?
I think you have to be motivated, lead-by-example, and very knowledgeable in the field that you are in. You must be ahead of the curve, innovative, and an amazing listener and communicator. You must know and keep a focus on what your goal is. If you want to fire or fight with someone then that becomes your goal. So the ability to focus on your real goals, and not on the distractions, is what I look for in a leader.
In the last few years, what has been your most challenging experience?
Keeping the gym. The last two years were the hardest for me. I’ve never run a business from the back end; before that my ex-husband was in charge of those functions. So these last two years I’ve really just taken a crash course in running my own business- in running this gym. I’ve had to change the gym, the operations, and decrease the debt. Now, I’m in a very comfortable state and I’m passed the rough times. Now I feel I’ve got to create more which is why I will soon be franchising / licensing South Florida Boxing out across the nation.
Who has been your biggest influence, regarding leadership, entrepreneurship, etc.?
I would say that I get a little from everyone. I did get a lot from my boyfriend who is a great business minded person, my current manager, and a bit from my ex-husband. I really think that you are able to take a little bit from everyone you interact with. I also read a lot of books like the e-Myth and other business-related books. So I think that everyone is really my teacher and I also think that the answers are in the questions asked; which is why I tend to ask lots of questions.
What strategies have not worked for you as far as contributing to your success?
Not asking enough questions. For example, sometimes I will get a new person on our staff and I would just start telling them about the job and I will forget to ask enough questions; perhaps assuming that they are competent and not realizing that they may actually not be. The next thing that I have not been successful with is reprimanding my staff. I’ve never been able to really go off on my staff or take the “punishment” route. These strategies have just not worked for me. It depends on your particular style and there is not just one “correct” way, but it is the way I’ve learned has not worked for me. On another note, certain forms of advertising and operations have not been successful either and we take copious notes of what has and has not worked.
Could you please just offer one summarizing final piece of advice for our readers and future business leaders?
Yes, definitely have goals. I have goals but they are much broader; like, do what I want when I want. But it is important to be focused on exactly what you want to do. All of your actions should align with your commitments. Focus on business and balance. People should not loose track of their goals or let the competition get in their way.
SOUTH FLORIDA BOXING
South Florida Boxing | 715 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 | 305-672-8262