Boss Babe Spotlight is a blog series dedicated to celebrating women who have seen success in their chosen career path. Need some inspiration? These ladies have got you covered. We interview some of the most bad ass women we can find – so we hope you love learning about these fearless females!
Boss Babe n. A woman who supports other women. A woman who is comfortable in her own skin. A woman who strives to be a total badass in whatever she does.
Michelle Munro is an entrepreneur, educator, mother, fitness coach, bad ass, and the owner of Round Two Fitness, a boutique style fitness studio offering strength training, yoga classes, and personal training.
I first met Michelle when she was my marketing professor back when I was an early twenty-something struggling through university (and life). Compared to the profs I was used to having lecture at me for 90 minutes [while I tried super hard not to poke my eyes out], she put a lot of effort into engaging her students in her lessons and created a participation-heavy classroom that encouraged discussion and dialogue.
Plus she was genuinely pumped about marketing, and gave a crap about her students. In fact, she played a huge role in helping me complete my degree.
Years later, while I lazily scrolled Facebook looking for some dramatic showdown in the comments section of a news article, I saw a post about this new fitness studio, being run by…my old university professor?
We connected, and she invited me to a free class.
After the first 20 minutes, I spent the rest of the class on the floor with a cold compress to the back of my neck fighting off the urge to vomit [I had skipped breakfast – oups].
One of her regulars told me not to worry, and assured me I’d likely pass out before I died [but…like in a supportive way].
By the end of the class she signed me up for an 8 week block and I kept going back.
See, Michelle had created this amazing atmosphere in her studio that I couldn’t get enough of – women supporting women, no judgement, and a “fuck the scale” attitude as she so delicately puts it. It was my kind of place: these people became my tribe.
Round Two is not just about fitness – Michelle’s focus is making clients stronger physically and mentally, and includes mindset and nutrition coaching along side the super sweaty, “you’ll be sore for days” type workouts. But don’t worry, you get used to them and feel like a total bad ass once you see your progress [plus the incredible group of women cheering you on helps].
On top of her mothering, fitness studio running, and bad-assery, Michelle also finds the time to run a marketing consulting firm
ACGM Associates focuses on providing clients with the services they need, but also provides them with the education to continue implementing the plan once the contract for service is complete.
The girl hustles.
Read on to find out more about Michelle and her experience as an entrepreneur.
Owner Name: Michelle Munro
Business Name: Round Two Fitness; ACGM Associates
Website Links: www.myroundtwo.com; www.acgmassociates.com
Insta: @round2fitmichelle; @acgmassociates
FB: Round Two Fitness; ACGM Associates
Q: We first met when you were teaching me in University. You went from being a marketing professor to a personal trainer/small business owner. How did that happen?
A: I love and still love teaching. While I was teaching at laurentian my first husband died by suicide. And there began my grief journey. I gained a lot of weight and lost touch with my fitness. After my 4th child I started on a journey back to fitness and quickly realized I had to heal my grief wounds in order to make any progress with my physical fitness. It took time. And effort. And it was inspiring to a lot of people. Being this inspiration prompted me to start my fitness certifications and education. I then began personal training. About a year after I was offered the opportunity to open my own space. I had so many ideas of what I wanted in that space.
So here I am. Hanging out and teaching happy sweaty people how to love themselves. Any time someone compliments my gym “vibe” I pink black myself a little. The space is exactly what I hoped it would be and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Q: Obviously your current industry and career path was a pretty big pivot in new direction – do you have any advice for young women looking to make a major career shift?
A: Crunch the numbers. Figure out your break even and your capacity and make sure you can support yourself (and your family if necessary) even at the lowest number for operation. Stay true to the vision you have for your business – say NO to clients or business offers that don’t fit with what your vision is. When someone comes to me looking to lose “that last 10 lbs” I tell them flat out that I’m not the trainer or gym for them. It’s so important not to sacrifice what your business and personal values are for the almighty dollar. The right clients will come along. Just be patient.
Q: The fitness industry has changed drastically in the last few months given the current pandemic. How has Covid-19 affected your business? How have you adapted?
A: Throughout the shut down I provided online classes out of necessity. And had about an 85% retention rate. I increased services and online classes and those have now continued with reopening. So I have increased my client base by solidifying my online offerings. For the majority of my clients Covid has made our community stronger – both mentally and physically.
Q: What is the most important piece of advice you can give to new entrepreneurs?
A: Set boundaries. Don’t allow running your business to take over your entire life. It’s a business – and sometimes your personal brand – but it is not all that life is about. Keep time of your family and friends and be sure to say no when you are too busy.
Do NOT undervalue your time – and never compete on price. Know your worth, great business and personal advice. Calculate your hourly rate and never work for less than that. Compromising your value will only harm your business in the long run.
Q: What is your favourite part about being a small business owner? The most challenging?
A: “What was your favourite part” is a question my late husband use to ask of my family after “events” – vacation, movies, etc. It’s a question that is dear to me! My favourite part is definitely the freedom to define my service offering. As a personal trainer working for a gym I just didn’t have that ability. Now I am able to set up programming that works for my space and my clients and drives them towards success…and be compensated for that hard work.
Most challenging part? The admin side of things. I do put source a fair amount. But the admin still bogs me down and keeps me busy!
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