Hi, Gina! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:
I’m Gina aka GinaMarieFit. I’m a NASM personal trainer, business owner, podcaster, and charity organization founder. When I set out to become a personal trainer and online business owner, my goal was to provide more than just workouts and macros. I wanted to provide a mind, body, soul approach that enabled women to feel supported, inspired, and empowered at all phases of their journey. As my business progressed, so did my desire to make more of an impact rather than just an income. In 2023, I founded Sweating Together For A Cause, an organization and social media page where collaboration brings awareness, hope, change, and partnership. Also in 2023, I launched my podcast The Unfiltered Trainer. A lifestyle podcast set out to provide an open, honest, and real take on mental health, fitness, relationships, trauma, and more without a filter.
An incredible mission, Gina! What excites you about being an Entreprenista League member?
What excites me most is being surrounded by women who are doing the most and want to support women along the way. Being around empowered, like-minded women who genuinely want to see each other succeed.
What made you take the leap to start your own business?
Personally, for me, I wanted to bring all avenues of interest into my daily life. I wanted to expand the health and fitness space to be more individualized and personable. Making a lifestyle transformation can be intimidating but it doesn’t have to. While at the same time, shedding light on difficult topics to end the stigma and encourage open, honest, communication.
Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
Honestly, no. At first, I pursued the life I thought I wanted. Typical college degree, full-time job, work hard and eventually retire. What I realized was my ideal life was not one that fit in a box.
Take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?
At first, it started on social media, accidentally. I was posting about my journey with an open perspective, sharing the good and bad of trying to change my lifestyle. When I started to gain traction, I realized there was more to this. From there, I developed a blog and website. I opened a Facebook community and then started hosting in-person events. At times it was a rollercoaster, finding my footing and what resonated most with those I was interacting with to make the most impact.
What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way and what did you learn from it?
The biggest challenge I had was personal. During the height of my business, I lost several people in my life all at the same time. My message evolved as a result and helped me to expand into other avenues outside of just personal training. Learning how to be present and turn my mess into my message ended up being the biggest challenge and blessing.
Perseverance is key! What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?
Being here, as cliche as that may sound, there were two distinct periods of my life I did not think I would see through. One was last year when I was in a car accident and sustained a TBI. My life on two specific occasions was completely turned upside down and it rerouted my business both times.
Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?
If you would have asked me this question last year, I would have laughed. That's because I was not in control of my destiny as I should have been. After re-evaluating my life and making necessary changes I do believe in work/life balance. Biggest tips: learning when to say yes and learning when to say no. Boundaries are important but only effective when you implement them as necessary. Prioritizing what's important and aligns with your goals. If the tasks do not elevate your quality of life or align with your desired outcome, then bless and release.
What's a piece of advice you can share that you wish you'd known when you first started your Entreprenista journey?
Done is always better than perfect.
What have you achieved recently that you'd like to celebrate with our community?
Launching my charity community Sweating Together For A Cause and obtaining the Head Coach Position for Body Fit Training enabled me to quit my full-time healthcare job and pursue my business while building this franchise.
What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?
Expanding my podcast into highlighting other women, thought leaders, and community members. Creating a system for in-person events for my charity organization and being able to teach other women in other cities how to start their own chapter. Lastly, public speaking, people always tell me I need to pursue it so I would like to speak on stage.
Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today!
About the Author
Entreprenista Team
