My stepdaughter Amber recently emailed to my attention an item about a new Central Okanagan start-up venture for women that she felt I would enjoy sharing in my column.
30 Minute Hit, located at 269 Lawrence Ave. in Kelowna, is housed on the main floor with street access in a fairly new office building in downtown Kelowna.
30 Minute Hit is a truly empowering and inspiring kickboxing/boxing circuit program for women which strives to get women of all age groupings in amazing shape within a non-intimidation and safe place to train in both boxing and kickboxing regimens.
A huge attraction for any interested woman is that they may burn up to 500 calories in the 30 Minute circuit while learning the proper MMA style boxing and kickboxing techniques.
Deanna and Jackson Loychuk, who started the 30 Minute Hit business and evolved it into a franchise, began their journey as B.C. entrepreneurs over 10 years ago in North Vancouver.
The connection to 30 Minute Hit in Kelowna is Nicole McGillis, who has been doing the Fit workout program for more than a decade.
McGillis told me convincingly how she fell in love with its power and effectiveness almost immediately.
She had been completing her education and early stage work experience in Victoria area in dental hygiene, but once the 30 Minute Hit bug bit her, she moved quickly into the mindset of a budding Okanagan entrepreneur.
With her background in boxing and as a personal trainer, McGillis advised it made her transition to entrepreneurship and the business model much easier.
In June 2013, she took on a venture partner, Jenna Skoglund, who has a strong background in accounting and managerial skills.
McGillis is a joy to talk with as she recites her entrepreneurial journey results watching women transform their bodies and minds through 30 minutes of punching and kicking the dummy models on the circuit within the facility.
She admits a big factor in their success is marketing. Staff turnover appears to be high in the fitness world as well so employee retention is always a huge success factor.
Hence, McGillis and Skogland’s work hard to keep things interesting and inspiring on different levels for the staff and clients.
When I arrived at the 30 Minute Hit location in Kelowna, I was greeted by McGillis as one of her clients was in the midst of removing her boxing gloves after completing an energizing workout, with a delightful smile on her face reflecting a sense of accomplishment.
Some of the immediate gains of 30 Minute Hit membership include being ladies only, gaining self defense skills from boxing and kickboxing, on-site trainers always on duty, a play area for kids, central downtown Kelowna location and memberships at $39/month with unlimited access to the circuit equipment.
McGillis reminded me that for her, giving women an alternative to fitness programs is powerfully gratifying
She says a 30-minute workout, three times a week, will leave her clients seeing tangible results fitness results, while feeing more energized, calmer and confident ”with the strength, courage and body you will love.”
Check out the 30 Minute Hit web site at 30 minutehit.com/kelowna or phone Nicole McGillis at 778-484-3064 for an appointment.
You won’t be sorry. Tell the girls Joel sent you.