Tommie Nichole knew it was time for a change after 9 months of sickness, depression, no exercise, fighting with her husband, accruing a huge debt due to a failed business attempt, becoming a new mother and wondering how she was going to handle it all with her new baby. Read our interview with the lovely Tommie below to see how she is overcoming her struggles…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
The fact that I felt like a caged monkey at my corporate job, kinda joking, but really though. I have been in fitness since college and loved the relationships and friendships I built with my clients. To see the smiles on their faces when we would meet, when they would hit a goal, or when they had success with a task I had given them meant everything to me. But why I started my business goes a little deeper than that; I began to see a trend that more often than not they were struggling with an inner issue and that alone was holding them back from succeeding. I wanted to give above and beyond just ‘come to the gym and let me make you sweat for 30 minutes to an hour’. I wanted to help them overcome that obstacle that was limiting them.
Tell us about your business.
The Mom Standard really came about in the last 16 months. I have also been a mom for 16 months and I struggled, was lonely, and cried a lot! I wished and wanted something to help, to reach out to, or to go to that helped, made me laugh, made me feel good and understood exactly how I felt. I am more than just a trainer or a gym because we have plenty of those, I am also an online support and resource to help mom’s sort out their thoughts, find their own path, and achieve their health and fitness goals. Coming soon is “The Mom Standard Place” – again it’s more than just a gym, it is a place for us mom’s to come together to have our needs met. I mean that moment when you just want to have a pedicure or a nice sweat session because your day just has sucked it all out of you, but wait, you have no sitter and to find some random person, NO THANK YOU, I’LL SUFFER! Or better yet, you’re a WAHM and just want to get out and need a change of scenery to let your creative juices flow, but wait, yet again you have no sitter and better yet, you stress out just thinking about getting out of the house because it’s more work to do that than it is to just stay there. Momma’s – I got you! There was a mom who loved fitness so much before she was pregnant but she just didn’t have any motivation or time to carry it on after she had her child. She then heard about au pairs (go to Cultural Care Au Pair to find out more or become an au pair) and realised how easy it would be to make time to keep fit if she got one. So she became a host and had plenty of time to come to me for fitness! There’s never an excuse!
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Of course, I love to give! For the month of October I am giving away a FREE Virtual Session, 30% off my personal services as well as any mom who signs up with me gets a continual follow for life no matter if they stay in my program or not.
Where is your business based?
Currently, online because I’m starting at ground zero. But works and research are in progress for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
That’s just it, I took the steps. I mean it has been messy because let’s be honest… I AM A NEW MOM who is finally taking that dream and turning it into reality. I knew I needed to find the area that most needed what I had to offer and mold myself to it, since every city has a little bit different culture.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Stop getting ready to get ready. I took this from a lady who is super successful in her business and it is the truth! We are never fully ready, we just have to go and make the mistakes along the way. So I dove into social media and just started branding and talking about The Mom Standard and what I wanted to achieve. Asking and polling to really hit home with what I was offering!
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Myself and limiting beliefs to be honest. How will I ever make this happen, I don’t have the funds, who will want this, yada yada, yada!!!
How did you overcome these challenges?
I handle this everyday with quiet time, gratitude journal and some personal development! ALL OF THESE ARE A MUST EVERYDAY!!!
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
My son. I also think back to what I went through and how many other mom’s have gone through the same thing, and I want to help with that!
How did you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I pride myself in truly connecting with each and every person I come into contact with – even if I can’t help them, I find what or who can. I truly want each and every person to know just how valuable they are and know they have a purpose, a passion and potential that we just have to seek out. With my Project Body Smart Program we do just that and find those things that they love and want to do. For example, if a mom comes to me and hates lifting weights, you better believe she won’t lift one weight or if a mom loves to dance that is where we focus. It’s truly all about them and what suits their likes, needs and wants.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Small beginnings are important, they lead to success.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
If you wake up everyday thinking about it and dream about it – then do it! Nothing will change or happen just thinking and dreaming about it. Scary yes, but so is never changing!
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
To be honest, investing in yourself and finding a coach. I will forever have one, it was a game changer for me.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @tommienichole
Website www.tommienichole.com
Hashtags #themomstandard #projectbodysmart #tommienichole
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
“The Originals” by Adam Grant.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
How to go brick & mortar – anything in that area because this is brand new for me.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My goals are to help as many mom’s as possible across the US – to reach of 1 million by March 2017 and to be brick and mortar by September 2017.