Meet Fitness And Wellness Coach Kari Berridge
“Overthinking and waiting for everything to align perfectly can prevent you from ever starting.”
Kari Berridge
Okay, let’s get started on the interview!
Tell us who you are in 50 words or less.
My name is Kari Berridge. I am a mother of three adult children and four grandkids. I am a fitness and wellness coach and author. I love to hike, spend time in nature, play the piano, and read. I live in Sherwood Park, AB, Canada.
How and why did you start your business?
I started my business 20 years ago. I was a single mom, raising three young children, and teaching classes for a facility that wasn’t paying enough for me. So I started my own fitness and wellness business to make the money I wanted and have the freedom while raising a family on my own.
I had just gotten out of an abusive relationship when I got into teaching fitness. I wanted to start my own business to help empower women to either get out of the abusive relationship they were in or to get out of one they were currently in. I feel fitness can empower us beyond what we think is possible.
What services do you offer in your business?
I offer a wide range of classes from boot camp, TRX classes, and meditation classes, to HIIT/TRX classes. I run one-day fitness and wellness retreats and four-day fitness and wellness retreats in the mountains.
I offer in-person and online personal training sessions and I am a mindset coach offering in-person or online sessions.
Building resilience during a boot camp workout.
One step at a time.
What makes your business or services unique?
What makes my business unique, I run most classes/courses online as well as in person.
I also work with clients on their mindset to help motivate them in all aspects of their life not just the fitness classes.
I am authentic and my clients get to really know who I am and that I truly care about each of them.
Having a functional website is an important aspect of running a business. How was the process for you to get your website up and running? For example: Did you create it on your own or did you hire a web designer? Which platform is your website hosted on?
At first I created my website by myself (actually my teenage daughter at the time) created it through a company called Wix. I found Wix to be very hard to use, and not a lot of help. So, last year I had a company build my website to take it to another level. I have a .net website. My website is very functional.
I also created an app through Wellness Living to go along with my website. My clients download the app and can sign up for classes, events, and personal training as well as pay through my app. It has been a lot easier since I had the new website made and the app.
What resources are you finding helpful in your business right now?
I find artificial intelligence helpful for creating content. Social media like Facebook and Instagram for getting new clients. My app for participants signing up, and mastermind classes to get new ideas on how to grow my business.
What is the one thing you wished you had known before starting your entrepreneurial journey?
I didn’t realize I would need to learn about social media and computers.
Tell us about a time when life threw you a serious curveball in your business and what you did to overcome that curveball?
Covid threw me a real curve ball, as fitness was targeted where I live. We were only allowed to teach online, not in person, not even outside. So, I had to get creative in keeping my participants happy with online courses.
Before COVID hit, I had never used Zoom or Facetime so I quickly had to learn how to use them.
How have you grown personally from becoming an entrepreneur?
I have grown immensely from becoming an entrepreneur.
I HAVE LEARNED HOW TO WORK WITH DIFFERENT PERSONALITY TYPES IN CLIENTS.
I have learned how to budget because every month looks completely different depending on how many clients I have.
I have learned resilience as it can be tough when you continually have to get new clients.
I have learned how to be a salesperson. I have learned to be creative in building different classes and to change things up so it resonates with all types of personalities.
What one misconception about the entrepreneurial journey would you like to clarify for us today?
One misconception about the entrepreneurial journey would be that it is glamorous and guarantees quick wealth or success. I work very long days and sometimes seven days a week. I also work evenings because that is when most clients can attend.
At boot camp training.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting their own business?
It's important to do your homework before starting your business. However, sometimes you need to take that initial step.
OVERTHINKING AND WAITING FOR EVERYTHING TO ALIGN PERFECTLY CAN PREVENT YOU FROM EVER STARTING.
It's crucial to have adequate capital and a substantial reserve fund to sustain your business during challenging times when things may not go as planned. This proactive approach ensures you're prepared for the unexpected and you can navigate through uncertainties with greater confidence.
What are some fun facts you would like to share about yourself?
Some fun facts about myself: I have identical twin boys, I have Tourette syndrome, and ADHD.
I wrote and published my first book called Cut the Anchor in December of 2023.
I have spoken in Las Vegas as I am working on becoming a speaker.
I am also currently writing my second book about neurodiversity and inclusion.
What is one thing you’re grateful for right now?
I am grateful for the health of my family.
What are you looking forward to in the next month?
I am looking forward to my first Fitness and Wellness retreat this season in July in Canmore, AB.
