Welcome to another Small Business Update, this time with Mel Carpenter, who’s in the fitness business and is currently concentrating on developing her two businesses that work around the industry, Fit 4 Print and FullFit , as well as working with the www.clubbercise.com brand and running her own classes under the Cardio Central umbrella. We first met Mel in February 2013 and then updated in February 2014. At that point, her goal for the next year was, “Definitely to qualify as a Personal Trainer, but I want to specialise as a trainer in a particular field. I love to present, so I know that I will be doing more of that. My next big goal is to own my own dance studio, so we will see!” Mel’s very energetic and entrepreneurial, so I really wasn’t sure what she’d be up to be now – let’s find out what’s going on …

Hello, Mel, and welcome back! Are you where you thought you’d be when you looked forward a year ago?

Well, i’m not a Personal Trainer but i am a Pro Trainer for a very exciting Dance Fitness program called Clubbercise! My job is to train new instructors and present the brand at various fitness events across the country and occasionally internationally when the demand arises. Here’s a description: If you like the idea of a fitness class that feels more like a night out than a workout you’ll LOVE Clubbercise®, Fun, easy-to-follow dance fitness routines using rave glow sticks to club anthems from 90′s classics to the latest chart hits taught in a darkened room with disco lights.

I have also set up a printing business (its called called Fit 4 Print) and a fulfilment company (specialising in the Dance & Fitness Industry) called FullFit with my husband. Both companies are doing extremely well, and it’s all keeping us very busy!

What has changed and what has stayed the same?

I no longer run UK Bokwa Gear but i do now manage the merchandise for three major Dance & Fitness Brands: Clubbercise, The Jungle Body and Metafit under my fulfilment company (see above answer). I’m still teaching classes, (I merged my classes under the new name Cardio Central as the variety of classes we teach has grown significantly over the last year) although I’ve scaled back as the businesses need my attention, as do our children 🙂

What have you learned?

To be more organised, OMG! I am now a lover of To Do Lists and i use several life-saving apps on my phone to ensure i can keep track of what I’m doing and where i need to be! Although at times I must admit that I still feel like I’m running around like a headless chicken!

What do you wish you’d known a year ago?

How busy things were going to get! It;s a real fight to get things done and still have quality family time, it doesn’t always work out, but we know that our businesses are growing and we are providing a future for our children, so it’s a case of grinning and bearing it at times.

Any more hints and tips for people?

Don’t be afraid to Follow your Dreams and know that the path to success is not a straight one! Perseverance is key and so is Persistence! If I were not a persistent little so and so, I would not be where I am today!

And … where do you see yourself and your business(es!) in a(nother) year’s time?

I hope for my husband to be working for the businesses we have full time (he still has a day job at the moment and that’s tough) and to be the go to company for brands, for all things fitness!