Minna Herskowitz is a certified personal trainer and co-owner and operator of Sandbox Fitness in Sherman Oaks, California. Minna has been training for 12 years; she is extremely dedicated to her clients and will do anything to help them meet their fitness goals. She believes there is a workout for everyone, you just have to find what gets you going.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I’ve been a personal trainer for years and have tried it all. When my husband and I suffered from injuries and realized we may never be able to run or lift heavy again, we discovered the beach. We started out with a 10 minute workout at the beach and loved the way it felt on our bodies. I tore my ACL and I was only able to run on the beach and do jump squats without my knee hurting. So, we looked into bringing the beach indoors and making it more accessible for everyone who doesn’t live near a beach.
Tell us about your business.
Sandbox Fitness is boutique fitness studio that takes fun workouts and performs them in the sand. We offer group classes and private training in a giant 650 square foot sandbox.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Yes, we are currently running a free week trial for first time clients. Because we offer so many classes, we want people to get a chance to experience them all.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
- Personal Trainer certificate – NFPT (National Federation of Professional Trainers)
- TRX certified
- Athleta Ambassador
Where is your business based?
Los Angeles, CA (Sherman Oaks to be exact).
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
The first few steps were getting a business loan, finding a hot location, and hiring trainers & employees.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Social Media and door-to-door sales.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Marketing. It’s so hard to know what works and what doesn’t. And it costs a lot, so we have definitely thrown away lots of money on advertising that didn’t bring in new clients.
How did you overcome these challenges?
We started asking every single customer how they heard about us. By the end of the month, we take a look and decide where we should be putting our money.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
Keep pushing through. I think about all the hard work we have done and all the amazing press that we have had, and I know that even if it’s slow, we will work it out.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
We have a giant sandbox… I mean where else can you find that? The workout is unlike anything you’ve ever done. If you want to workout barefoot in the sand and burn more calories in less time, then you know where to go.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
When starting out, if there is something that you can do on your own, don’t pay someone else to do it.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Success doesn’t come overnight: it’s a lot of hard work, but eventually it will pay off.
What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?
QuickBooks is a must.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
“Contagious: Why Things Catch On” by Jonah Berger.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
We are looking to expand into the franchise world.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
We are looking to franchise a few studios within the next few months. We are learning the laws of franchising and what it takes to become a franchise.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @minnaHerskowitz, @sandbox_fitness
Twitter @sandbox_fitness
Facebook @sandboxfitnesso
Website www.sandbox-fitness.com
Hashtags #sandboxfitness
