| Non-Traditional Fitness Careers July 1, 2006 © 2006, Fitness Organica LLC |
| Cathy Crane Flickety Fit Founder, Fitness DVD Rental Service www.flicketyfit.com "I have loved getting the chance to learn so much in such a short amount of time. Immersion, I think they call it." |
Your business?
I founded and run an online fitness DVD rental company. Basically, we
operate the same way as Netflix and Blockbuster, except we have a
much smaller and more specialized selection. You sign up month to
month and can keep a DVD for a whole month or more, if you're enjoying
it, or you can send it back the very next day.
Major events or motivations that led you to this business?
I heard someone once describe their impulse to start a business as
having an "entrepreneurial seizure." It felt like that, a little -- no, a lot. I got
the idea and immediately got myself in far enough that I figured I had to
continue no matter how much self-doubt I might have. It was obsession
for months on end, and I spent many quiet nights lying awake wondering
"what have I done?"
Prior work experience, education, or specialized knowledge
that helped you?
Much to my chagrin now, I have only taken one business-oriented class,
Introduction to Marketing. I really wish I'd taken more of those when I
was in college full-time, but since I never had the intention of owning a
business, I didn't think it would apply to real life. My academic
background is really nerdy and generic. I have a bachelor's in Liberal
Studies and a minor in Psychology. That makes me a great bartender
and really good at Jeopardy, but not qualified for much else. I spent my
college years attending a wonderful private club in Missoula, Montana,
called simply The Women's Club. I took my ACE exam and eventually got
up the nerve to ask whether or not they might ever need subs or
something. I started teaching right away and then moved on to do all
kinds of jobs in the fitness business, most based out of the Women's
Club. The Women's Club really allowed me to be confident to try things
that I might fail at and to not judge myself too harshly when I fail. That's
one of the great things about being an instructor -- you are pretty much
paid to make a fool out of yourself. You cannot dwell on your mistakes --
you've got to move right along and keep smiling.
Your top three personality traits that have contributed to your
success?
Willingness to Learn from Failure -- I am not sure I would call myself a
success yet, or ever. You always think you could do a little better. You've
got to fail to learn.
Willingness to Listen to Others -- I've got great people around me who act
as a support system and help keep me inspired and grounded.
Knowing and Respecting Myself -- I guess the third thing is that I have
always stayed true to myself.
The hardest issue you've had to deal with?
I've had a hard time with the fact that not everyone likes the idea of what I
do and that not everyone is always happy with the service. I take it very
personally and find it hard to put away at the end of the day. You can't
please everyone, but you can try.
Most satisfying thing about your work?
I have loved getting the chance to learn so much in such a short amount
of time. Immersion, I think they call it. Also, I have had the chance to talk
to some really cool people in the fitness industry that I wouldn't have had
a good excuse to speak with except in that fitness groupie kind of a way.
Now I know about some things that might be interesting to the people I
have always admired and respected.
Future plans and/or dreams for your business?
I have a vision of being a more sought-after and trusted fitness site that is
valuable to visit for many reasons. I think about sites like turnstep.com
and videofitness.com. I know it is a long way away, but I would like to
offer back to the fitness world by becoming a resource and gathering
place for fitness fiends. I plan on starting a forum that has a moderator
on each topic who is also an expert in that area. I would like to be able to
continue to offer DVDs, and expand into ones which are even more
specialized. Some of these DVDs are too expensive to send in paper
mailers. We already lose more DVDs than I like due to the brutality of
traveling across the country unpadded. I envision some kind of premium
membership where I could send out some of the really expensive
educational DVDs and not risk losing them. If I found someone who
could take over the business and move it beyond what I have been
capable of, I would be open to the idea of stepping down and letting
someone else take over the big stuff. I will just go to fitness conventions
and pick out new DVDs when my dream job becomes a possibility. :)
Favorite fitness activity?
I love it all. The only thing I don't experience much is yoga. The best
instructors and great music could make anything fun.
Hobbies?
Computers and music. I have the house where the rock bands get to
rehearse in the basement. I also enjoy watching movies and television. I
have two beautiful cats.
Favorite place to vacation?
I like staying home for vacations, but I also love to visit any and all cities.
I founded and run an online fitness DVD rental company. Basically, we
operate the same way as Netflix and Blockbuster, except we have a
much smaller and more specialized selection. You sign up month to
month and can keep a DVD for a whole month or more, if you're enjoying
it, or you can send it back the very next day.
Major events or motivations that led you to this business?
I heard someone once describe their impulse to start a business as
having an "entrepreneurial seizure." It felt like that, a little -- no, a lot. I got
the idea and immediately got myself in far enough that I figured I had to
continue no matter how much self-doubt I might have. It was obsession
for months on end, and I spent many quiet nights lying awake wondering
"what have I done?"
Prior work experience, education, or specialized knowledge
that helped you?
Much to my chagrin now, I have only taken one business-oriented class,
Introduction to Marketing. I really wish I'd taken more of those when I
was in college full-time, but since I never had the intention of owning a
business, I didn't think it would apply to real life. My academic
background is really nerdy and generic. I have a bachelor's in Liberal
Studies and a minor in Psychology. That makes me a great bartender
and really good at Jeopardy, but not qualified for much else. I spent my
college years attending a wonderful private club in Missoula, Montana,
called simply The Women's Club. I took my ACE exam and eventually got
up the nerve to ask whether or not they might ever need subs or
something. I started teaching right away and then moved on to do all
kinds of jobs in the fitness business, most based out of the Women's
Club. The Women's Club really allowed me to be confident to try things
that I might fail at and to not judge myself too harshly when I fail. That's
one of the great things about being an instructor -- you are pretty much
paid to make a fool out of yourself. You cannot dwell on your mistakes --
you've got to move right along and keep smiling.
Your top three personality traits that have contributed to your
success?
Willingness to Learn from Failure -- I am not sure I would call myself a
success yet, or ever. You always think you could do a little better. You've
got to fail to learn.
Willingness to Listen to Others -- I've got great people around me who act
as a support system and help keep me inspired and grounded.
Knowing and Respecting Myself -- I guess the third thing is that I have
always stayed true to myself.
The hardest issue you've had to deal with?
I've had a hard time with the fact that not everyone likes the idea of what I
do and that not everyone is always happy with the service. I take it very
personally and find it hard to put away at the end of the day. You can't
please everyone, but you can try.
Most satisfying thing about your work?
I have loved getting the chance to learn so much in such a short amount
of time. Immersion, I think they call it. Also, I have had the chance to talk
to some really cool people in the fitness industry that I wouldn't have had
a good excuse to speak with except in that fitness groupie kind of a way.
Now I know about some things that might be interesting to the people I
have always admired and respected.
Future plans and/or dreams for your business?
I have a vision of being a more sought-after and trusted fitness site that is
valuable to visit for many reasons. I think about sites like turnstep.com
and videofitness.com. I know it is a long way away, but I would like to
offer back to the fitness world by becoming a resource and gathering
place for fitness fiends. I plan on starting a forum that has a moderator
on each topic who is also an expert in that area. I would like to be able to
continue to offer DVDs, and expand into ones which are even more
specialized. Some of these DVDs are too expensive to send in paper
mailers. We already lose more DVDs than I like due to the brutality of
traveling across the country unpadded. I envision some kind of premium
membership where I could send out some of the really expensive
educational DVDs and not risk losing them. If I found someone who
could take over the business and move it beyond what I have been
capable of, I would be open to the idea of stepping down and letting
someone else take over the big stuff. I will just go to fitness conventions
and pick out new DVDs when my dream job becomes a possibility. :)
Favorite fitness activity?
I love it all. The only thing I don't experience much is yoga. The best
instructors and great music could make anything fun.
Hobbies?
Computers and music. I have the house where the rock bands get to
rehearse in the basement. I also enjoy watching movies and television. I
have two beautiful cats.
Favorite place to vacation?
I like staying home for vacations, but I also love to visit any and all cities.
 | |  | |  | |  |
| © 2004 - 2010 Fitness Organica LLC. All rights reserved. |
 | |  | |  | |  |
| Shop by Category |
| Featured Presenters |
| More |
