Morgan Kline, the driving force behind Burn Boot Camp, has learned tons since starting this fitness revolution a decade ago. She’s all about embracing your mistakes because, let’s face it, they’re your best teachers. Every slip-up, whether it’s a financial hiccup or a bump in the road, can be a stepping stone to something greater. “Learn from every stumble, and you’ll always come out stronger,” Morgan says.

Fast forward to 2022, and Burn Boot Camp is on fire! We’ve got over 300 locations spread all across the nation and made a jaw-dropping $158.5 million in systemwide sales. That’s nearly a 32% jump from 2021! Not to mention, Morgan took the reins as CEO in August 2022, succeeding her hubby, Devan Kline, who had been the big boss since 2015. Devan’s now our visionary guru, focusing on building awesome relationships with our Franchise Partners.

For Morgan, every milestone we hit is a badge of honor. From reaching 100 locations to 200 and finally 300, it’s been a humbling reminder of the incredible journey we’ve been on.

Now, let’s rewind a bit. Morgan’s journey started in Michigan with a degree in food marketing. She even rocked it at Kellogg’s before joining forces with Devan to create Burn Boot Camp. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. We’re talking no business experience, no financial backing, and landlords who weren’t giving them the time of day.

While Morgan was still juggling her Kellogg’s gig, they kicked things off in a parking lot. No fancy gym, just pure passion and grit. The couple even sublet a dance studio to make their fitness dreams come true.

And then, the magic happened. In 2013, they opened their first real-deal Burn Boot Camp location. Morgan left her Kellogg’s job to go all in, and they soon had 350 members! By 2015, with five company locations up and running, Burn started Franchising and handed three corporate gyms to eager Franchise Partners.

Even when the pandemic hit and gyms were going through some tough times, we retained over 70% of our awesome members. Why? Because we put our community first. We’ve always been about adding value to people’s lives, and that’s the secret sauce of Burn Boot Camp’s success!

For those who don’t know, we offer killer 45-minute group workouts called Camps with different Protocol every day. We started as a women-only gym but have evolved to include everyone. We’ve got various membership options, Camp Packs, and Fit Cards for ultimate flexibility.

Now, here’s the kicker: Morgan was everywhere in the early days, from training to payroll to scrubbing floors. She led from the front, embracing every challenge alongside her team. That’s the kind of leadership she embodies – rolling up her sleeves, facing the heat, and always having her team’s back.

At Burn Boot Camp, community is everything! High fives are our thing – they connect us, motivate us, and make us feel like one big fitness family. And guess what? We’re stepping up our game with a brand-new mobile app now out. We know tech is king, but we’re keeping the heart and soul of Burn Boot Camp alive. It’s all about connection, belonging, and feeling the love!

So, there you have it, the Burn Boot Camp story in all its glory. From humble beginnings in a parking lot to a nationwide fitness sensation, we’re here to help you thrive, sweat, and achieve your fitness goals. Join us, feel the Burn, and be part of our incredible community!

Burn Boot Camp Co-founder and COO, Morgan Kline, took her own entrepreneurial leap of faith 10 years ago and has never looked back. Here are her top 3 tips on how to be a successful business owner: 
 

1. Stay Motivated: I stay motivated because my mission is so big and I know if I don’t work hard for my goals every day, I will not reach my full potential in this life. When there is something, I don’t want to do or don’t think I can do, I always ask myself the question “if I don’t do this, who will be impacted?” and that lights a fire under me! I motivate others by working to empower them to think beyond what they think they are capable of. Challenging others is something I love to do to get them to grow and move outside their comfort zone, because that is where all the magic happens! 

2. Have a Problem-Solving Mindset: One of the biggest qualities I possess is mental toughness and a problem-solving mindset. I know each day will bring me challenges and problems that need solutions. If I have a victim mentality and do not seek solutions for the problems, I am not valuable. Being able to build the company to what it is today does not happen alone. You must empower and trust your team to constantly be seeking solutions to the company’s problems.  

3. Comparison Is the Thief of Success: Do not compare what you are doing to what other people are doing. Allow your core values to guide you in your decision making. When I am feeling stuck on a decision, I always go back to asking myself if the decision aligns with my values and will I wake up tomorrow proud of those decisions I have made. I have learned to trust my gut and if a decision doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to change it!  

We are looking for entrepreneurs who are passionate about changing lives and impacting their communities. If you are looking to change your life and become your own boss, click here and a member of our team will contact you.  

Roni Lewis and Shambrey Walker are Franchise Partners of our Fayetteville, AR location, and Roni is the sole Franchise Partner of Springdale, AR. This duo packs a punch and has a fire within to make a difference in the lives of those around them. Whether it’s bringing an incredible workout to their members or raising thousands of dollars for charity, there is no ceiling to these women making an impact in their communities. Today we are diving into their business partnership, how they made it through these past two years opening their gyms, and Roni vulnerably shares about a very difficult season of life she endured. 

How did you two find one another?

“We worked together in the apparel division for Walmart! We went to the very first pop-up camp hosted by the first Burn in Arkansas. We were totally bitten by the Burn bug. We went every day at noon. It was my happy place and it changed my life forever, for the better. I was just so excited to join another community.” -Shambrey Walker

What was the moment that you both decided to become business owners?

“Shambrey is the one that got me into Burn, but I’m the one who left corporate America first. I died after the first pop-up camp and couldn’t go back for 6 months! At the time, I was a plus-size apparel buyer while simultaneously planning my Burn workouts, meal prepping, and goal setting. I truly believe that to be good at something, you have to be all-in. I realized I needed to do something different because my professional work and my personal work were suddenly very divided” – Roni Lewis

What have you learned going into business with a friend and fellow coworker?

“It’s so nice working with someone who genuinely cares about you, because when we have to pour into other areas like our kids or family, the other one picks up the slack. We also have defined responsibilities and you have to let the other person truly own the process and do it their own way. You have to have trust in your partner that even if they don’t do it the way you would, you still support them. Don’t both try and do the same thing. Figure out your strengths and complement one another.” -Roni Lewis

Does one partner handle specific tasks and responsibilities, and the other handles what the other can’t? How do you balance the to-do’s based on your strengths and weaknesses?

“I am super Type A, task-oriented, organized and I love lists, numbers, and results!! I am driven by numbers and it’s how I lead my team. It gives me a competitive edge. I struggle with creativity, larger vision, and event planning. That’s all Roni. It’s been a learning curve to step back and let people flourish in their role and be hands-off and just let people do their job” –Shambrey Walker

Why Burn?

“Burn changed my life. I went to another gym that provided quote-unquote “childcare” and I ended up leaving within a few days. Burn’s childwatch was the big differentiator for me. I could soak in that 45 minutes for myself, I wasn’t running to the room to check on my little one. I trusted them.” –Roni Lewis

“Having the forums we do as Franchise Partners, and being able to connect with other owners in the system is huge. We can all learn from one another and grow as a collective to make each Burn location even stronger.” -Shambrey Walker

What do you attribute your success at Burn to?

“My passion. I know I’m in the right place. When I heard Devan’s speech when the lockdown started, and he encouraged all of us to hold the line, I just knew I was right where I was supposed to be. I texted Roni and she felt the same way in the same moment” –Shambrey Walker

For more information on how to impact your community click here.

Click to listen to the full interview on Coffee & Kettlebells with Morgan Kline, Roni Lewis and Shambrey Walker here.

OWN YOUR OWN BURN BOOT CAMP. BUILD YOUR EMPIRE TODAY. Visit franchise.burnbootcamp.com

Carey and Karen are incredible examples of risk being worth the reward. They share a bold and vulnerable look behind the scenes at what it looks like to partner with a new friend and take major leaps in life knowing that being “ready” isn’t a real thing! These powerhouse women started off as most of us do, strangers, when they walked into Burn Boot Camp. They had worked out near one another on the floating floor for months, but officially met when they showed up at a holiday party in the exact same outfit – a perfect conversation starter and the rest was history! Carey and Karen became fast, and fierce, friends. They both felt so at home with Burn Boot Camp, and quickly with each other. They made the decision to go into business together while still getting to know each other!

Through bold leaps of faith, holding each other in a place of grace, and overcoming struggles with grief, these women have been through it all. They’ve carved out a piece of the Waukesha community that they are proud to call their home. Listen along as these women open up and share their personal journeys that not only led them to one another but to opening a Burn Boot Camp just months after their first official meeting.

How did you guys meet and what was the path to open a Burn together?

“We warmed up near each other for 6 months and never interacted more than just high fives. Our Burn had a big holiday party that year and we showed up in the exact same outfit and it was an easy lead-in to spark up a conversation! We talked about everything that night… From both recently getting our PT certifications, work, being a Burn member. Something about our friendship just clicked right away.” -Karen

“We set our first date after that holiday party to grab a cup of coffee that quickly turned into another date for a glass of wine. We were both going through traumatic times and came to the realization that we needed to create a safe place for women who were going through something fierce the way we were. We wanted to give women what was given to us. We all need each other.” -Carey

You both left the security of corporate jobs. What was that like?

“I was contributing greatly to the household income so that was a tough conversation to have and ultimately a decision to arrive at. My husband and I both have a passion to make a difference in this world and that was not happening through my corporate job so that ultimately steered us in the direction of Burn. Quitting my corporate job was getting rid of the clutter in my life.” -Karen

You mentioned that nothing happens for a reason, and that beauty can be found in even the darkest of times. Why is that your philosophy?

“My father died unexpectedly. He was my person. It took the wind out of every sail I ever had and within a month of his passing, I quit my corporate job and I was so lost. Something inside me died when he did and it changed the trajectory of my life. It led me to Burn, it led me to Karen, it led me to the Waukesha community.” -Carey

Some have described your partnership and decision to open a business together so quickly as bold. Would you agree with that?

“We’re just two Moms who are passionate about running a Burn Boot Camp. We aren’t investors or business people. We have something different in our hearts” -Karen

“We would absolutely agree. In hindsight, it seems crazy that we went into business together. We met in January and we were talking about purchasing a franchise in May. In that short amount of time we had to convince our husbands to do this and be all in with us.” -Carey

An Analyst and a Sales Person are very opposite. Did you take some time to learn how the other person worked professionally or did it come later?

“We’ve had some growing pains but we’re stronger now than we were a year ago. We’ve learned through trial and error together and with the support from HQ. We have learned to stay in our lanes in our partnership.” -Carey

Want to hear more of this interview? Listen to their full conversation with Morgan on their episode of Coffee & Kettlebells!

BECOME A BUSINESS OWNER. BUILD YOUR OWN BURN BOOT CAMP EMPIRE.  Visit franchise.burnbootcamp.com

Failures make us rethink, reconsider, and find new ways and strategies to achieve our goals. The resilient path can often put us in a position of power in the end. Our Franchise Partner family is made up of a unique and incredible group of people who come from all walks of life. No two paths are the same that led these individuals to where they are. Getting a peek into their stories, hardships and all, humanizes what it means to be a powerful business owner.

Check out their interviews with COO Morgan Kline on the Coffee & Kettlebells podcast – you’ll find the episodes below!

Becky Patterson & Bambi Morris Gantt – A Raw & Unfiltered Conversation on Favorite Failures, Overcoming Hardships, Leaning Into Your Faith, and How To Create the Career & Life You Want

Becky and Bambi had a vulnerable conversation with Morgan where they really opened up about fighting through the pandemic and their favorite failures that have led to incredible outcomes and lessons. All three women share what it means to them to be a leader within an organization that is 90% female-owned. They also cover shifting/sharing identities as Working Mom and Business Owner, tips to win in a male-dominated industry, what keeps them up at night, and how they encourage others. These successful women break down creative ways your business can thrive in the current market and the best advice they’ve ever received. 

Growing a Business as a Mom and Using Failures to Our Advantage With Multi Unit Franchise Partner Amy Passarella

Morgan sits down with one of our Burn family members, Amy Passarella, today and their conversation covers all of the ‘working mom’ bases. They share their journeys and life hacks for how to grow a business as Moms of three, owning multiple locations, working with your significant other, their favorite failures in life, and what they have learned along the way.

Ironman Triathlete, Multi-Unit Franchise Partner and Mom of 2 Maggie Browning on Empowering Women To Lead Their Families, Live Their Healthiest Lives & Achieve Beyond What Seems Possible

Maggie Browning, Burn Boot Camp Franchise Partner (Burn Boot Camp Fishers, IN and Zionsville, IN), joins Morgan on the podcast. Maggie was a busy mom, wrangling 2 daughters and a corporate job when she found Burn Boot Camp. Maggie started as a member, got her CPT, and then decided to become a multi-unit Franchise Partner! The combination of an entrepreneurial spirit that was instilled in Maggie thanks to her family’s culture & a go-getter’s attitude from her life growing up as an athlete, she shares how she started, where she is going and the amazing goals she is crushing along the way! HINT: She’s completing an IRONMAN! Maggie and Morgan discuss motherhood, tough times, great times, life as a business owner, why she decided to open a Burn Boot Camp, and the idea that “it will be better than you’ve ever imagined if you can just get through it.” 

Nicu Mom and Multi-Unit Franchise Partner Teryl Greist on Having a Positive Mindset, Trusting Your People, and Overcoming Hardships

Teryl is a Multi-unit franchise partner in Kentucky and Ohio, alongside her soon-to-be husband Tom. They currently own 5 locations. She has 2 children; one of which who has had to overcome extreme circumstances. Her daughter was born prematurely and is now a healthy, thriving junior in high school! Teryl is an OG Burn Member who has been a part of the family since the parking lot days. She is a member, turned franchise partner, turned multi-unit franchise partner who gets to impact five communities.

Teryl’s family is at the heart of everything she does and an integral part of her story. Teryl delivered her daughter at 27 weeks, who weighed just 1lb 7oz.  She shares her NICU journey and what that experience has propelled her to do with her life. She has been called to help others in similar situations and get involved with charities and foundations to serve others!

OWN YOUR OWN BURN BOOT CAMP. BUILD YOUR EMPIRE TODAY.

 Visit franchise.burnbootcamp.com

As Burn Nation rounds out an incredible year, we wanted to share with you the first of many round-ups of the Coffee and Kettlebell episodes from this year that feature some of our leading female Franchise Partners.

Mental health matters, now more than ever before. The interviews below are a vulnerable look inside what it’s really like to run a business during an unprecedented time, leading a family during times of uncertainty, and flexing your adaptability muscles all while remaining mentally strong and working towards the best version of yourself so you can show up for others.

Simply stated, these female Franchise Partners are leaders by example who don’t shy away from being transparent, honest and vulnerable. They let their human show and truly connect with their communities and members. Their motivation to help themselves in order to help others, and to inspire, empower and truly transform their communities is why Burn Nation is what it is today.

Hear from these amazing women as they share their brave and vulnerable stories in the Coffee & Kettlebells episodes below, and stay tuned for more great conversations to come!

Franchise Partner Features:

Getting Your Groove Back in Your Late 30’s, Leaving the Rut Behind, and Creating a Future That Otherwise Wouldn’t Exist With Zulie Humphrey

Zulie Humphrey is a Burn Boot Camp multi-unit Franchise Partner of the Centennial and Summerlin North, NV locations which are still in the beginning phases! Zulie has an amazing story that will inspire many. She left her home country to be with the man she loves, who didn’t speak a lick of Spanish when she didn’t speak a lick of English. NOW they are the parents to three amazing kids and she found her groove in her late 30’s because of Burn Boot Camp.

Morgan and Zulie discuss taking leaps of faith, what’s on the other side of your comfort zone, and the systems that you need to have in place in order to take care of your mental health. The journey for Zulie to become a business owner was not a linear path; and she shares her trials and tribulations with communication barriers, opening a gym, what motivates her, and what she is looking forward to most with the Grand Opening of her two new locations!

The Journey to the Healthiest Place on Earth With Stephanie Meads

Stephanie is a Franchise Partner of our Celebration, FL location who just celebrated their one-year anniversary, and is a mom of two to a boy and a girl (8 and 6). She joins the Burn family with a background in working for cruise lines and Disney in the entertainment industry. Stephanie is an “all-in” individual and jumps headfirst into whatever opportunity presents itself. When her husband’s job relocated their family from Orlando to Pensacola, she quickly had to pivot and find a new career path because there was not an entertainment industry in the area. She began in Real Estate before finding Burn Boot Camp and it was an easy decision for her and her husband to invest.

Morgan and Stephanie’s conversation about what skill sets they’ve learned in their careers before Burn that set them up for success to become a business owner; including risk-taking, communication skills, and customer service. They talk about the importance of positivity, getting to know your members on a personal level, and leading with kindness and intentionality!

Stephanie also has a history of eating disorder(s) which was induced by her decade spent working for the entertainment industry. She opens up about her rock bottom, the importance of education in her recovery, and what it means to her to spread the good word to her clients in the fitness industry.

Managing Expectations, Letting Go of Perfect and Giving Yourself Grace With Multi-Unit Franchise Partner and Mom of Three Tina Hegna

Morgan sits down with Tina Hegna, our Maple Grove, Minnesota Franchise Partner. She is a master juggler! The Hegnas make up a family of 5: Tina and her husband, Harlan, are high school sweethearts with three boys: twins Hudson & Harrison (6) and Calvin (2), works full-time in the finance industry, and just signed for her second location with Burn Boot Camp. She is a jack of all trades who is always in the work of figuring things out, and being okay with things not being perfect.

Their conversation dives into the details of owning a business during a pandemic and coming out on the other side with enough confidence to sign for location #2! Morgan and Tina talk about the idea of perfectionism; and that even when you have a plan laid out you have to also plan for when it will inevitably change. They also share what it’s like to be true teammates with your significant other on both the professional side of things while running a Burn, and the personal side leading a family of five!

BECOME A BUSINESS OWNER. BUILD YOUR OWN BURN BOOT CAMP EMPIRE.  

Visit franchise.burnbootcamp.com

Deepal and Mo are serial entrepreneurs who have always put their hustle and hard work front and center to provide the best life possible for their family. When Deepal’s traditional 9-5 job just wasn’t cutting it financially, they started to cast a wider net into prospective career opportunities. They did endless research on investment opportunities, small business concepts, and the smartest entrepreneurial moves that would be the best fit for their values and family. 

When a close friend invited Deepal to come work out at Burn Boot Camp Raleigh, she began to consider the gym as not only a workout but as a business opportunity. She decided to join her friend, a member of Burn Raleigh, in hopes to find out more about the business from the current owner. 

She made the trip and took a noon camp on that fateful day that would forever change her story.. She was immediately drawn into the words on the walls, the gym’s core values, and the importance of community that was evident upon entering the building. After all, the values weren’t just a vinyl sticker on the wall, the members were a true embodiment of each word and phrase. They were authentic, welcoming, and real. “Integrity and honesty are two core values that I live by and work to be an example for my children every day. Those same values aligned with Burn and the more I learned, the more I knew it was a perfect match.”

Our COO, Morgan Kline, sat down with Deepal to dig into what it really means to be a working mom and entrepreneur:

What were your fears about going into entrepreneurship?

“First and foremost there is the obvious financial fear and motherhood guilt. Being a Mom and not being there as much as I should be for my kids. I knew I was going to be working more than I ever had in my entire life. I was worried about giving my kids the time they deserved while running this business. The competitive voice inside my head was loud: “What if I don’t do well? What will everyone around me think? Will I be making my Mom proud? What if I fail?”

What would you say to someone who has young kids but is interested in owning their own business and taking the entrepreneurial leap?

“Time management has been huge for me. When I’m in the business, I’m in the business”

How has having children and a business enriched your life?

“My boys watching me at work, being able to bring them to the gym. They are watching me make an impact and lead by example.”

How have you been able to build such a strong team and comradery?

“Your team is going to be as successful as you, and vice versa. I’m a huge believer that you’ve got to take care of your people. I’m not big on resumes. Anybody can create a great resume or interview well. What I’m looking for in a team member is compassion, humility, and integrity. The qualities that you can’t coach — like humility, or wanting to impact people’s lives in a positive way — are the big ones. It’s hard to find someone out there who is as passionate about your business as you are as the owner, but they are out there.”

What does a day in the life look like for you?

“Busy. I’m in the gym every day by 4:30 am and I’m home by 8:00 pm. Some days are even crazier. If someone calls in, I’m there on a Sunday morning. I wouldn’t trade it for the world; it’s very rewarding. My husband and my kids can come to work with me. The biggest challenge is finding time to take care of myself. I’m not very good at it, but I’m working on it.”

At Burn Boot Camp, we preach taking care of ourselves first. There are so many life layers that go into that and can derail us. How do you make sure that you’re consistently taking care of yourself so you can be the best business owner, Mom, friend, entrepreneur, etc..?

“I literally have to put it on my calendar. Most weeks it’s Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 3:30-5:00 pm. My self-care is beyond getting my workout in. I hop into camps with my members once a day, but I need time away from the gym, on my own. It could be getting a massage or getting a cup of coffee on my own. I have seen such a difference in myself since implementing this time. I am more reflective, and appreciative of my gym. I’m a better owner because of it. I enjoy my gym more.”

BECOME A BUSINESS OWNER. BUILD YOUR OWN BURN BOOT CAMP EMPIRE. Visit franchise.burnbootcamp.com

Wendy started her Burn journey seven years ago as many do, as a member, before becoming a franchise partner. Her professional career has been with NASCAR and she just celebrated her 20-year mark with the company. Wendy started in NASCAR because her dad is a retired NASCAR driver, and moved to North Carolina from Chicago when she was in high school. She went down the media route from the advice of her mentors and started her broadcasting career at the ripe age of 21. Wendy worked her way up from production, to broadcasting for NASCAR, and in 2004 became the first female pit road reporter and the youngest in the history of NASCAR to go on air and broadcast a race.

Wendy has had the opportunity to be the first in a lot of areas in the industry and has broken a lot of barriers and glass ceilings in her field by being her authentic self. She absorbed a lot of information from her family history with NASCAR and translated that into her passion and really formed a real relationship with the NASCAR fan base.

When she walked in the door at Burn Boot Camp for the first time, her goal was to focus on herself. In true Wendy fashion, she accomplished that and so much more. She became a Certified Personal Trainer as a passion project while still traveling and doing her broadcasting, and is now building her empire with Burn Boot Camp as a multi-unit owner. 

How did Burn transform your life as a member?

“I was a tired overweight mom, I was working crazy hours, running all over the place, traveling 40,000 air miles a year, I worked every weekend. I lived in my house for 3 nights a week, only long enough to do laundry, cook meals for my kids, and leave town again. My husband works in the industry as well and we got used to living out of a bus. When our son turned 3, I decided to scale back from the NASCAR industry and focus on myself and my journey with Burn Boot Camp. It was a mindset shift. It changed my priorities in life and what I wanted to accomplish. I was living an awesome, fun life and doing REALLY cool things – but was I doing anything to make my life better or improve my health? No.”

With all of the lanes that you’re in, what motivates you to do things, and do them well? What wakes you up every day?

“I’m very intentional with my actions and I’m very motivated to get the most I can out of this life. I have gone through a lot of heartaches in this life and a lot of doors have been slammed in my face. I am very passionate and whole-hearted about things. I thrive off of my passion, off the energy from others. I love providing for my family (my son is now 10), and being able to watch him be shaped by the Burn Boot Camp model has been so cool for me and my husband. That is motivation in and of itself. I know people are watching me – my NASCAR family, and my Burn family – those people keep me motivated. I’ve been known to sleep vertically on the plane and wake up and drive straight to Burn Boot Camp Concord. It’s fun to get my day started that way and get it over with!”

Let’s talk about leadership. In the NASCAR space, as a Burn member and owner, what helps you become a better leader for those around you?

“I don’t usually follow the status quo. I go against the grain and push the envelope. I work inside the grey area of rule books. I do that because I feel like I can get more out of my day and more out of life if I do that. My husband on the other hand is a rule follower, and I think we balance each other quite well. You have to find what works for you in order to get the most out of your day. I’m not organized, I’m not a list maker. I just go, and I do, do, do. Organization is just one area where I enlist the help of others. As a leader, I think you have to rely on others’ strengths where you are weak. Let people do their jobs, and what they’re good at. My goal as a leader is to find what everyone’s strengths are and play off of those. That’s where we thrive as a team. I don’t micromanage.”

What does your work-life balance look like?

“You have to mesh everything together. I’ve heard Devan (Kline) say this too. You have to blend professional and personal life. Our son was 3 weeks old when we took him to work with Mommy. Caleb (now 10) lived on our bus. We had really long production hours in television, and we had a great support system around us. We had a Mom on the road with us who is a NASCAR wife and Burn Boot Camp member and she stepped up and helped us immensely.”

What have you learned about yourself as an entrepreneur during the last 18 months of hard times through the pandemic?

“When things get put in my way, I have a way of getting around them. I’ve had people believe in me and people that don’t believe in me. I knew if we just stayed true to ourselves we could come out on top together as a team. Right when we closed our doors, I pushed our team to go live that evening and offer a virtual workout. We were one of the first Burn locations to offer a live virtual workout. Our head trainer believed in me, and we made mistakes along the way, but we made a plan, I led our team and we made things happen together. Our community kept us together. They are the reason we stayed afloat. We weren’t leaving them and they weren’t leaving us. The bond we have with our members has grown so much tighter over the last year and a half.”

What have you had to overcome as a female entrepreneur? Are there any additional roadblocks you’ve had to overcome because you are a female?

“There was not even women’s clothing available when I started. It had never been done before. I had to wear men’s uniforms. That was the very start of it 21 years ago. My Mom was the tire changer on my Dad’s pit crew team. He had an all-female team. My Mom paved the way to show me that I can do anything I want to, in any industry, whether male-dominated or not. Because my Mom has been such an awesome role model, it let me go into a male-dominated environment and give me the confidence to say ‘I belong here.”

OWN YOUR OWN BURN BOOT CAMP. BECOME A BUSINESS OWNER. Visit franchise.burnbootcamp.com

Kelly Hall and Shannon Boyer are multi-unit Franchise Partners of our Temecula and Costa Mesa, California locations. They’re a dynamic duo, with a unique partnership within Burn Nation, and have taken the California market by storm!

Kelly was born and raised in Chicago but always felt called to California, where she moved right after college graduation. She has been married for 11 years to her husband Jared, and they have two little girls Rylan (5) and McKenna (2.5). Kelly began her career with Teach For America, which is a leadership program for college graduates who want to serve in inner-city schools. She was recruited from that program for a non-profit recruitment role, where she stayed for a decade impacting lives and making positive change. 

Shannon is originally from the San Francisco Bay area and started her career with Teach for America as well. She met her husband, Robbie, in college and they went on to attend seminary school together. Shannon and Robbie had all three of their children after their Burn journey began; Kase (4) Kaden (3) and Blakeley (1). Their husbands have been best friends for over a decade now!

In our conversation, we cover “doing it all” and overcoming feelings of doubt, fear, and insecurity. The possibility of impacting someone else’s life is the common thread that pulls these women up to the top of their game and is the driving force behind overcoming the challenges they have faced as business owners over the past year.

We also talk through the dynamics of being in business with your best friend, how experience breeds strength, the importance of therapy and self-awareness, identifying opportunities, and optimizing your business. Some of our biggest takeaways from today’s conversation include being open to feedback, partnership communication, growth strategies, and the importance of empathy as a leader!

I sat down with these powerhouse women to ask all the tough questions. Join our conversation below:

[Considering your previous years of professional experience] How have you learned new ways to be a leader through the Burn Boot Camp setting? What you used to know might be different than what you know now.

“My typical communication style is very soft and empathetic. I want to make sure the person walking away from our interaction feels good. In the past, I’ve always communicated that way. It was easier in a ministry setting, but it’s not what people need in a business setting. They need direct communication. They don’t need all the fluff and the emojis. I feel empowered to stand on my own authority as a leader. Before Burn, I never thought people needed to hear what I had to say. I had to get over my fear of being liked. I have become more authoritative and confident. You can be both kind and direct at the same time.” -Shannon Boyer

“I had never been THE boss before Burn. It’s been a big learning curve for me. It took almost a year for that to sink in.” -Kelly Hall

Explain your dynamic as business partners and friends. Do you have delegated responsibilities? Is it personality-oriented?

“The longer we’re in this, the easier it is to see where our strengths and opportunities lie. We both own certain areas in the business, but we both have veto power. Our friendship is the most important thing.” -Kelly Hall

“Friendship first, always.” -Shannon Boyer

Let’s talk about any moments of doubt you may have had, whether collectively or individually. How did you combat any doubt that you had about running a business?

“The way I see it, there isn’t an option to fail if it’s my responsibility. I never felt like there was an option to not do well or to fail. I’m a 1 on the Enneagram and I just look at every circumstance as an opportunity to learn. Every failure is a lesson. I strive to keep feedback loops open with our ownership group, our staff, our members. I’m big on finding blind spots and improving. What pulls me out when I’m feeling overwhelmed is remembering the bigger picture and not getting consumed in the small stuff (or the weeds as I like to call it). We also lean on our mentors and pray, pray, pray, a lot.” -Kelly Hall

“May 17, 2020 was a day that goes down in history for me of thinking ‘are we really going to be able to do this?’ I was sitting at my kitchen table, I had just put my kids down for a nap, I had my laptop open, and I learned that we had to close our gym down due to COVID-19. I lost it. I was an uncontrollable ball of emotion and terrified of what was going to come next. My oldest daughter walked down, saw me balling, and asked ‘Mommy what’s wrong?’ I tried to explain to my 4-year old the best I could and I’ll never forget, she said ‘Mommy just do Burn outside’ little did I know, we’d all end up doing Burn outside! In some senses I’m thankful for last year and what we had to go through because I grew so much in my leadership.” -Shannon Boyer

I always think; “what will happen if I don’t do it?” -Morgan Kline

What would you say is a crucial skill to have to be a good business partner?

“Self-awareness. The longer we have been in this, the more I’ve come face to face with what I’m good at, and what I need help with. Usually, if there’s conflict, it’s because there is a breakdown in communication. So getting to know one another’s communication styles is huge. Shannon and I have been able to meet each other where we are because we are in tune with each other and ourselves. Therapy helps too!” –Kelly Hall

“Yes, yes to everything Kelly said! Also, competence. With competence comes trust and knowledge; both of which you need. Having an equal passion and commitment is crucial. Having both of those things removes any questions or doubts. We both, in our heart of hearts, believe that Burn transforms lives and we are willing to do whatever it takes to transform as many as we can.” -Shannon Boyer

“We both hang our hats on family and faith at the end of the day. When you’re connected like that, at the end of the day, any other differences just become beautiful.” -Kelly Hall

What’s something that your children have done to actually enrich your business, and the balance of work and life. What would you say to those Moms afraid to start and spend that time working?

“I wouldn’t be where I am if I wasn’t a Mom. Our core membership base is a group of Moms that are in the same stage of life as Shannon and I. Our kids have done nothing but enrich the experience. It’s so fulfilling that our kids get to be a part of our business.” -Kelly Hall

“Our kids make us better people. They put our priorities in the right order. They lighten things. Having that perspective, and remembering what’s really important, has enriched our ability to reach real people with real struggles.” -Shannon Boyer

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LaTanya’s husband, Renaldo, was drafted in the first round of the NFL & his career moved them to many different cities across the US during a 13-year career. She learned about Burn when his career brought them to Charlotte, NC while working for his former coach at Joe Gibbs Racing. LaTanya’s Burn journey began at our original location in Burn Boot Camp – Huntersville, NC when a friend invited her to try a free trial. One hundred burpees later, she was hooked!

LaTanya made close friends with other members, trainers, and Franchise Partners in the community when she was a member at Burn Boot Camp – Concord, NC and says, “Burn changed my life. For me, it was about the camaraderie and being a part of something bigger than myself. Some of the women who became friends on the Concord floating floor are now Burn Boot Camp Franchise Partners across the nation, inspiring, empowering & transforming their own communities of strong women.

Despite the frequent moves, being a mom to their daughter, Kennedy, and her busy football lifestyle, LaTanya always knew, “Owning a business someday has always been a part of me.” Her dream was to be back in her hometown and give other women the opportunity to “feel what she felt and bless them how she was blessed” as a member of Burn Boot Camp. After learning that territory was becoming available in Las Vegas/Henderson area, they decided to follow LaTanya’s dream of being a Burn Boot Camp business owner and open their first location. In November 2019, Burn Boot Camp – Henderson, Nevada officially opened its doors.

What keeps the Wynns going strong is their relentless pursuit to empower their Henderson, Nevada community. LaTanya’s decision to open a Burn Boot Camp has had a positive impact on both herself and her members. The Wynns now live in the Henderson area and get to own a business while also being close to family. On top of that, they’ve built another family in their Burn community and get to experience Burn transformations together. LaTanya says, “I’m not a size two, but I’m putting in the effort, present every day, and working behind the scenes with the business. When I step on the floating floor, they’re cheering me on too. I want more women that look like me to know that owning a Burn Boot Camp is a possibility for them. We would love to see more black women come through our doors, but sometimes because of our hair, the commitment, or our priorities with kids, it can be intimidating. What I’ve learned is that we have to take care of ourselves in order to take care of our children. When people come, their life is changed.”

Did LaTanya’s Burn Boot Camp journey inspire you to try your first camp? Find your Burn location and sign up for a trial!

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