Burn Boot Camp is honored to present part two with Franchise Partners LaTanya & Renaldo Wynn in our Black History Month Series, highlighting the stories and lived experiences of our community of Black members and Franchise Partners. Our mission is to provide everyone with the opportunity, the means, and motivation to be in a better position, physically and mentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re all Burn Nation. \ud83d\udc99<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of your strengths as leaders?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLaTanya is a powerhouse behind the scenes. She has an incredible heart. She connects with people on an intimate level and her vulnerability and ability to listen is a great gift. She shares great advice with our members who are going through things – she can really motivate people and make a difference. How have you surprised yourself in your leadership?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe had to step up in a new way during the pandemic. It really broke our training team down. We were worried we’d have to close. I had no choice but to step up as a trainer. At the time, I didn\u2019t have a certification and I was looking for an out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I had all sorts of conversations looking for the out, just waiting for someone to give me the excuse I desperately wanted to hire someone instead of stepping up to the plate. Then, I called Devan Kline, and he told me there was no one better for the job. It was my time to step up and be a leader; so that\u2019s what I did.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRenaldo becoming a trainer was the best thing for us and for our gym! This was his destiny within Burn and it really fueled our dream to push us to the next level\u201d -LaTanya<\/p>\n\n\n\n As leaders in the black community, what advice would you give to your younger self just starting out as a black entrepreneur? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re entrepreneurs who just happen to be black is the way I see it. \u2018Your life comes to an end when you stop doing things that matter\u2019 is my favorite MLK quote. Making an impact on someone\u2019s life is what is most important to me. Making way for positive change. I would tell my younger self to dig deeper than myself and ask what I can do for others. If it\u2019s not impacting other people it doesn\u2019t have staying power.\u201d -Renaldo<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMom: I picked up where you left off. My mom was an entrepreneur and I feel as though I\u2019m carrying out her legacy because she no longer can.\u201d – LaTanya<\/p>\n\n\n\n Black leaders within Burn have shared how important it is for their communities to see people that look like them owning and in the gym. What does that mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI remember one day working out in Charlotte, we were outside and it started raining. I was thinking \u2018black women don\u2019t work out in the rain! My hair does NOT work out in the rain! But the trainer wouldn\u2019t let me take the excuse. I used to think I had to show up with a friend as a security blanket, or only go a few times a week so I didn\u2019t have to wash my hair. But something changed one day. I started going to camp alone, and I started not caring that I had to wash and style my hair three times a week. Burn was bigger than those excuses.\u201d -LaTanya<\/p>\n\n\n\n What would you tell a prospective black business owner?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My advice would be not to limit yourself just because the space is narrow. Just because you don\u2019t see a lot of black people in a certain career path, or owning a certain business, it doesn\u2019t mean YOU can\u2019t do it.\u201d -LaTanya<\/p>\n\n\n\n What does it mean for you to be a female black leader and entrepreneur?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you show people love, they don\u2019t even see color. We\u2019re one of the most diverse gyms in Vegas and that is something we\u2019re so proud of. Your race and religion don\u2019t matter in this space. People walk in as strangers and leave as family members\u201d -Renaldo<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re both great motivators! I was a motivational speaker. So I\u2019m just more upfront in my approach. I\u2019m at the forefront. I love singing, being loud, putting myself out there. The members have been known to create a meme or two of me.\u201d -Renaldo<\/p>\n\n\n\n