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

The Great Resignation, also known as the Big Quit, is the ongoing trend of employees voluntarily leaving their corporate jobs, from spring 2021 to the present, largely in the United States. The resignations have been characterized as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but another factor is burnout. Some teams have been running too hot for too long. The pandemic has changed how some people think about life, work, and what they want out of both. It’s made people step back and rethink their lives. In the last 20 months, we have all been reminded that life is too short.

Gone are the days where the term “entrepreneur” was this unattainable status that was only given to people who got really lucky or had a ton of money to throw around. The beauty of entrepreneurship isn’t in the accolades, the respect, the money, or the status. The beauty is in the hustle, the scrappy, and the know-how. It’s in the resourcefulness to get things done when they seem impossible, and impact others lives in ways you never thought possible. It’s ignoring other people who tell you that you won’t. It’s ignoring yourself when you say “I can’t”

The Burn family is full of inspiring go-getters who have created the life they wanted. Hear from two of our powerful family members and Franchise Partners below as they share their personal stories that led them to take the leap headfirst from the corporate world into being their own business owner. 

Chelsea Theodoropoulos, multi-unit Franchise Partner of Burn O’Fallon, MO, Manchester, MO, South County, MO, and Kirkwood, MO and Tina Hegna, Franchise Partner of Burn Maple Grove, MN and more locations coming soon.

What did you do before Burn Boot Camp?

“I started my career in Corporate America and transitioned to small business working for my Husband’s IT Consulting business. The lessons I learned during my time in Corporate have been invaluable and have aided in my small business success.” Chelsea Theodoropoulos

“I am an accountant! I’m excited for this next chapter in my midlife and putting my strengths and dreams together, owning who I am, what I’m about, and daringly sharing it with the world.” Tina Hegna

How does being a business owner compare to working in a corporate environment?

“Impact and freedom. I love being in control of my own destiny and working towards a greater purpose for myself and others. Carrying a “sink or swim” load of responsibility gives more depth and meaning to the work I put in.”  Chelsea Theodoropoulos

“I’ve really enjoyed and benefited from learning organizational structure and business foundational elements such as a vision, a mission and a set of values. I have also been trained for well over a decade on all things leadership, and have had incredible exposure to all levels of professionals and Boards of Directors. This experience has given me many skills that I have been able to apply to owning a business and creating these things for my own organization.” Tina Hegna

What does the decision process look like for you to go from owning one location to owning multiple?

“It’s a big decision every time. Expanding is inherently risky so minimizing this risk by ensuring I have the proper resources, funding, team and a solid foundation are key elements to success.” Chelsea Theodoropoulos

“My “why” was raging strong – I wanted to share what I felt and witnessed with others since it was so life changing for me and many people around me. I also knew multiple successful locations would be what it took to make the leap away from the corporate environment. I didn’t know for sure I could do more until I knew I could do one really well. I’m excited to share Burn with another community.” Tina Hegna

Why Burn?

“It’s a platform to help others, create opportunities and fulfill my entrepreneurial ambitions. Burn Boot Camp changed my life and paying it forward to others connects my work to a greater purpose.” Chelsea Theodoropoulos

“This question is simple but heavy. I always wanted to be an entrepreneur but never stuck a landing on what that business would be. However, I knew the elements of what that looked like and I knew my why – I just didn’t have the how or the what yet. Further, I had always thought I would need to create something new. The more I learned about Burn, the more I realized that THIS is how I deliver my why. I didn’t have to create it from scratch – why would I recreate the wheel?!?! As I was unlocking the strongest version of myself I had ever known (physically, mentally, emotionally), I was also seeing this in the lives around me. I felt compelled to share this with the world, join the Burn mission and impact one community at a time.” Tina Hegna

What advice would you give those who are thinking about leaving corporate to become their own business owner?

“Do your homework. You will never be fully prepared for the journey, but with a good plan, support system and drive to succeed, you can better chart your own course.” Chelsea Theodoropoulos

“KNOW. YOUR. WHY. In the toughest times, you MUST remember why you started. When there is a fire in your soul for your why, you always find a way. ” Tina Hegna

What are your goals for your location (and it’s members)?

“Sustainable growth. Business: Creating a solid foundation of processes, top talent and a strong culture for future growth. Members: Educating and creating confidence for our members to adopt life-long habits for continued success.” Chelsea Theodoropoulos

“Burn is the members’ happy place, their safe place, their other home, their other family. It’s where they come to be themselves, but also to push themselves and be the best version of themselves when they are outside of those four walls. To always feel inspired and empowered on a life long journey of growth, and along the way to feel happy, confident and beautiful inside and out. That they, too, can chase their dreams and conquer the world – no matter how big or small they want that impact to be.” Tina Hegna

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

What inspired you to become a Burn Boot Camp Franchise Partner?

“I am the proud partner of a United States Air Force fighter pilot – the fighter pilot spouses are a unique group that has created a community most others will never experience. We share a lifestyle that brings us together like a family with encouragement, traditions, and understanding. The first time I attended a Burn Boot Camp, I saw that community unfolding and being available to every woman with access to a Burn. I was inspired to bring what the Air Force has given me to every woman that can be reached by Burn. 

My inspiration was two-fold: I am also a mother of two and suffered from severe postpartum depression. We were living in a small town at the time and I was lacking an outlet from the depression. I felt completely alone and I think back and realize how much a 45-minute workout and the sense of community I feel would have changed my life. I want to be that outlet for someone who needs it.”  Bethany McVay, Franchise Partner, Las Vegas, NV

“It started with Karen working as a BA in Montgomery and seeing how much she enjoyed it. Then I tried a workout, which I loved, and saw the culture. We were planning to move and Karen was sad to leave Burn, so we decided to take Burn with us.” Jason Roberts, Franchise Partner, Auburn, AL

“After witnessing the transformation Burn Boot Camp made in my wife’s life both mentally and physically I knew this was something special. The impact on the community and the group of women involved is nothing short of amazing. From that point, I was completely sold on the Burn product/services and decided to make a long-term investment for our entire family. I’m extremely excited for the future as well as our family. I look forward to supporting my wife on her quest to impact new communities with all Burn has to offer.” Mike Humphrey, Franchise Partner, Summerlin, NV

“The opportunity to positively impact every community we touch.” Cody Burns, Franchise Partner, Mt. Pleasant, WI

How has Burn Boot Camp changed your life? Changed the lives of people in your community? 

“Burn changed my life by lighting a fire inside of me and giving me the confidence to pursue my goals Burn provides a community for every person who walks in the door and inspires them to be better. This was no different for me. In my case, it provided the push and inspiration to explore my talents and discover new passions, through which I have changed my outlook on life and has provided an outlet in which to discover my purpose. From the inspiration to be healthy by being a member, to become inspired as an entrepreneur to fueling me to inspire others through opening my own Burn Boot Camp doors. The list is endless, but the most important goes back to my mental health. Burn Boot Camp helps my physical fitness, but more importantly, it improves my mental well-being. It’s no secret that exercise improves mental health, but the values and family of Burn provide positive brainfood. The ‘bleed blue’ atmosphere infuses goodness and positivity into your mind and soul.” Bethany McVay

“Our goal is to create a welcoming and supportive community in and outside of our gym.” Jason Roberts

“Burn Boot Camp is a community like no other and if you let them they will change your life and the lives of those around you. For me, it started with my wife becoming a member and then a trainer, she got our entire family bleeding blue, it’s contagious! Now we’re franchise partners and can’t wait to open our doors and do our part to continue changing lives.” Mike Humphrey

“It helped me grow up VERY fast. I had to mature and step up to the plate. Being that Burn is so fast-paced, and everybody’s role at Burn is so impactful, everyone has the opportunity to make an impact time and time again, and change lives. So you have to be on your A-game all the time. It forces you to be the best version of yourself every day because you have to show up for others. Without Burn, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

Our community has also grown so much. As I’ve grown, our team and our members have grown right alongside me. You get to see your members develop into these amazing human beings, that, during their first camp, could barely do a push-up and now they not only take that push-up from their toes, but they’ve become business owners themselves, or they’re shooting for that job promotion, or getting out of a toxic relationship they never thought they’d be strong enough to leave. It all starts with doing that one simple push-up and told you can do something. Being able to make that impact on people is amazing.” Cody Burns

What parallels do you see between your military career and your experience owning a Burn Boot Camp? 

“While I myself am not a military member, being a military spouse holds undeniable parallels to owning a Burn Boot Camp. As a military family, we survive off the community and are only as good as the military family we become a part of. My husband’s career field is a smaller community with pride in its heritage. Because of this, traditions are held in high regard and uniformly recognized across the world. These traditions combined with the shared experiences of deployments, moves, constant adjustments, etc., create a bond. There is a comfort in knowing when you show up to a new place there are other people who understand. When you meet a fellow military spouse there is an instant connection. The Kline’s have fostered within the Burn community a similar sense of belonging the minute you walk through the doors. This sense of familiarity and inclusion is something I wish to perpetuate as I feel this level of comfort, familiarity, and the common bond is something the world needs more of.

On the business side, being a military spouse has made me resilient and adaptable. I have learned how to navigate what many would consider impossible situations while supporting my family and community in times of transition. With six moves in five years, I learned to provide stability in an unsettled environment. I have realized that the word “unsettled” initially sounds like a bad thing; but as I overcame the difficulties and the setbacks, I realized unsettled is exactly what I wanted to be. I am not settling with the excuse that I can’t run a business because we move. I have thrived in this lifestyle and that shows me I am capable, Burn just opened the door.” Bethany McVay

“It’s all about teamwork. Everyone has to be on the same page and understand the overall goals, in order to achieve success.” Jason Roberts

“Generally, military personnel/veterans have strong problem solving and strategizing skills (especially United States Marines, OK I’m a little biased), they are great at mentoring team members and overall just become natural-born leaders in their civilian careers. Veterans are more prepared to take on the responsibility of supporting the numerous needs of a business and typically provide a selfless brand of leadership that often inspires hard work and loyalty. I’m confident these traits and skills that I’m grateful to have instilled in me have also become the norm within our family and with the help and guidance provided by Burn HQ our locations will not only be a huge success but also have an impact on the community in which we live. Semper Fi.” Mike Humphrey

“Number one would be discipline. As a Franchise Partner, you have no one to hold you accountable but yourself, you have to have a lot of personal responsibility. The same thing in the military, there’s a lot at stake and if you mess up it all rolls downhill. They preach discipline in training and make the training scenarios so tough so that you know how to handle them. I walk into Burn the same way I walked into those tough situations; I treat every day like it might be my last and show up in a big way.

Two is leadership. I have learned so much about how to develop others and how to communicate effectively in the military, and I’ve been able to carry that over and see the impact while at Burn. I have a very dominant personality and to be able to use that power to lead others into being their most successful selves makes me very happy.” Cody Burns

Are YOU interested in owning your own business? Contact us for more information on our VetFran discount!

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!

Interested in joining our 400+ Franchise Partners and create a lasting impact on your community?

While getting settled into the community and finding their new normal, Tina worked on her 2017 resolutions, which dove tailed from a quote she came across “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” In reflecting on how hard this hit her like a ton of bricks, she took baby steps in realizing that she needed to focus on self-care. “Fitness pours into every part of my life” Tina thought, “my job is to take care of everybody, but I’m not taking care of anybody if I’m not taking care of myself first”. And, being a health enthusiast and a servant-minded person, Tina thought perhaps she could be a personal trainer on the side – and maybe that would sufficiently scratch the itch. The twins were 1.5 years old and she was struggling with the Mom guilt that would inevitably creep in if she took on another venture.

Meanwhile, Tina also noticed a friend regularly posting workout selfies at a gym called Burn Boot Camp – “dare I say, it looks like they’re having …fun? While working out?” Shortly thereafter, at her twin’s birthday party, Tina couldn’t unsee how unbelievably ripped her friend was and how much she raved about her gym! 

She followed the signs. Frankly, they were hard to ignore. She signed up for a 3 week trial at Burn Eden Prairie and thought “even if these workouts aren’t for me, at least I’ll get a tank top out of the deal”. Well, she was hooked after just one week. She had never had a gym membership make her feel this good, this fast. The women working out beside her looked and felt amazing, and she was making new friends left and right. She found it refreshing and inspiring to connect on this level with other like-minded women. A bonus she didn’t see coming was that her young boys would grow up watching what strong women look like! Tina signed up for a 6-month membership.

A few months into her Burn journey, she read Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” and was on a mission to shine up her own “why”. Meanwhile, she began chipping away at her husband; all while watching episodes of Shark Tank to scratch her entrepreneurial itch. 

Tina and Harlan eventually met in the middle. Tina had supported Harlan in his dreams and ventures for a long time, and it was Tina’s turn to be Batman. Burn had proven success, a well-oiled Franchise Opening Process, and a mission that the Hegnas aligned with. Maybe it wasn’t the out-of-the-box idea that Tina once daydreamed of Mark Cuban investing in, but it was an entrepreneurial power move. They signed for the Maple Grove, MN location in 2018 and opened their Burn Boot Camp in early 2019. It was a long road to find just the right real estate, and they ended up flipping an old IHop location! Check out their opening announcement:

The day they found out their Letter Of Intent was expected was the same day they found out they were pregnant with their third baby. “Well, it’s just like having another set of twins again!” Tina thought, “only this time, one is a gym baby and the other is a real baby!” Their son, Calvin, was born just 2 weeks after their grand opening. The Hegnas love that their little ones get to grow up watching Mom and Dad do what they love, turns out they think donkey kicks are pretty cool too. 

A secret to no one, 2020 presented its own unique set of challenges. Tina was navigating how to lead her team, take care of her business, and nurture her members all while they’re losing their jobs and concerned for their own health. Nevertheless, she persisted, “we want to continue to weather this storm as a unit and come out stronger on the other side.” The Maple Grove, MN location continues to flourish – so much so that making a decision to purchase not one, but TWO more locations was an easy one for the Hegnas. In the Summer of 2020, Tina and Harlan purchased both Plymouth, MN and Blaine, MN, growing their budding empire from 1 to 3 gyms!

What grounded her throughout the pandemic was that she truly believes in what they’re doing. “We believe that if we can, we must. And because we could, we did. No one told us “no,” so we persisted. Because we still can, we still will. Continuing to take care of our community is the heartbeat of what we do” Tina proudly stated, “Because we are so grounded in that, and we believe in what we’re doing — just knowing you can impact one life — it’s always worth it.”

Did Tina’s story resonate with you? Become one of our 400+ franchise partners and create a lasting impact on your community! To learn more, visit us at https://franchise.burnbootcamp.com/.

Little did they know that this would alter the course of their lives in the best way possible.

They both loved the supportive, non-judgmental community and 1:1 training. Lexy was going through a very hard time in her life and needed a place where she could go to forget everything that was happening. The four walls at Burn became her sanctuary. No matter what was going on outside those walls, inside it was always warm, positive, and happy. Lexy fell even more in love with Burn when she moved to a new city (Concord, NC) but still had a home away from home: Burn. It was there that she was able to make new friends and was welcomed with open arms! She had moved to a town where she didn’t know anyone, and Burn continued to be a consistent place of happiness and familiar smiling faces.

Many members at the Concord location are also Franchise Partners, and the closer Lexy became with the community, the further her interest peaked – could Burn Boot Camp be more than “just a gym?”

Soon the Concord community came to feel like family to Lexy, and she went to Carrie to tell her that they should try to open a Burn. One of the greatest feelings is when someone else’s mind is in sync with yours; and that was the case here. At the time, Carrie was working as Burn Ambassador at Brier Creek and was living and breathing the brand’s mission. However, she was also in the process of applying to vet school so she was hesitant about the journey to Franchise Ownership. After conversations with the owner at Brier Creek, realizing maybe vet school wasn’t going to fill up her cup the way Burn could, and her gut talking that just wouldn’t quit — they got on a call with Burn to see what the hype was all about, and the rest is history!

Carrie + Lexy grew up riding horses and traveling all over the country for competitions. They shared a dream of having jobs that gave them the freedom to do what they love while supporting their families.

Owning a Burn has given them that freedom, along with the fulfillment that they were desperately searching for.

Opening a gym during a pandemic has not been easy, but anything worth having rarely is. Hearing from our members on a daily basis about how much they not only love, but need Burn in their lives, makes what they do worth it; and they wouldn’t change a thing.

“We would open a million Burn locations if we could just so that every person on the planet is able to experience and enjoy this unique and special community.”

 Does their story resonate with you? Find out how you can change people’s lives through Franchising with Burn Boot Camp

by Devan Kline

Entrepreneurship is hot right now. The term itself has become a buzzword made popular by business influencers who’ve succeeded at the highest level. The idea of financial freedom, high risk, and disruptive business ideas that change the world make the thought of entrepreneurship extremely attractive to many people, right?

Not so fast. If you asked thoroughbred entrepreneurs how they would define this style of business building, they’ll often have a significantly different interpretations.

What does entrepreneurship take?

As a proven serial entrepreneur who’s turned dumbbells in a parking lot into an $80 million fitness franchise, I would explain entrepreneurship like this:

Entrepreneurship is like building a skyscraper for 15-18 hours a day, using your bare hands.

Entrepreneurs can create a precise vision—the mega-building—knowing that they won’t get paid until the building is complete and they begin filling it with tenants. It takes years to build, with no expectations other than knowing that the building will change the world—despite what others may say.

Entrepreneurship is like building a skyscraper for 15-18 hours a day, using your bare hands.

In America, 96% of small businesses fail after five years. That means only 4% are still standing. Of that 4%, only 10% are standing after the 10-year mark. Keep in mind that “still standing” doesn’t mean they’re making any profit for themselves. Entrepreneurship is a sport where 9.9/10 players end up getting cut.

If you’re ready to take a massive risk, face uncertainty, and put in years of grinding, know that your payoff could be huge!

Commit to being an anomaly, I encourage you to go for it!

If this picture we’re painting doesn’t look as pretty to you as it does on the cover of Forbes, Fast Company, and Business Insider, then keep reading and I’ll make the game winnable for you!

Let me introduce you to a concept called intrapreneurship.

What is intrapreneurship?

If you’ve heard this term before, it often refers to an employee working for a corporation and hustling their way to the top. Although I believe in an entrepreneurial mentality within a corporation, I disagree that this is true intrapreneurship.

By all means, if you’re not willing to eat dirt and deal with problems all day, you belong in an organization as an employee. Intrapreneurship is simply structured entrepreneurship in the form of a partnership with a brand, otherwise known as franchising.

Why intrapreneurship?

Every franchise was started by an entrepreneur—someone who laid it all on the line to bring a product or service to the world. In a franchise brand you’re not working for anyone, but rather partnering with leaders and becoming your very own business owner.

Where does my definition of intrapreneurship come from? You’re an “entrepreneur” who works “inside” of a framework. If you were to ask the most successful investors in the world to sum up their strategy, a large majority would say “asymmetrical risk-reward.” This means getting the maximum amount of upside while reducing the downside as much as possible.

The business starts and stops with you. You have the same opportunity to create financial freedom and live life on your own terms without all of the risk and uncertainty that comes with starting from scratch.

Is intrapreneurship opportunity right for you?

I have few points you may want to consider when choosing a brand to partner with.

1. What is your passion? What would you like to wake up and do every day that wouldn’t feel like a job? For example, if you’re passionate about fitness, investing in a barbershop probably won’t bode well for you long term! Follow your heart first and the money will come.

2. Find a brand with stellar leadership. Take your time, do your research, and get to know the person driving the brand. Often times private equity firms acquire brands and become very cold and sterile to their franchise owners. Instead of going in that direction, look for a brand that has created a family culture for its franchise partners and predicated impact to the world over dollars.

3. Find a brand with a raving fan culture. Eventually, we are all going to go through an economic downturn. The companies that thrive during these times are the ones who don’t just have clients, consumers, or customers, but those who create a culture of raving fans. Falling in love with a product or service is dangerous so ensure they meet the needs of their raving fans rather than their own.

4. Look for a brand that clearly markets themselves across various social channels. Business is two things: marketing and evolution. If you can’t find a large presence on a brand’s Facebook, Instagram, Google, YouTube, and/or blog, that’s a red flag!

If you want to make the move to intrapreneurship and you’re passionate about fitness, health, and impacting other people, Burn Boot Camp would love to consider bringing you on as a Franchise Partner! I have built Burn Boot Camp from one location in a parking lot to over 330 awarded territories in the United States in our first three years, and we exude everything I think a modern day intrapreneurship desires!

Follow your heart, and if it leads you to Burn Boot Camp, fill out this form and we will be in contact with you shortly!