It is pretty amazing…if you think about it.  Why, in an economy where small businesses are dropping like the metaphoric fly, is Ms. Fit thriving?  How is it that a community of women collectively decide that Ms. Fit is one essential in their lives that must remain; in tact, dependable, without any surprises…simply, available?  Seriously, it’s not that our ten pound dumbells weigh any differently than the other gym’s, or that our house music is any better, and it’s surely not that our members jump out of bed and can’t wait to ‘get to the gym’.

In a day where “Goliath” clubs with massive square footage, utilizing unlimited advertizing budgets, and possessing every amenity the imagination can dream of; somehow, in the midst of all that, we are growing strong.  We are this little, unknown, single-sight, mom & pop organization that dared to believe there was room enough for one more dream to come true.  Women Only??? Who does that anymore?!! Don’t you know that we are a sophisticated, evolved generation, that is no longer bothered by mixed gender activities.  In fact, we embrace our new ability to tune-out via ipod, kindle, iphones, nook, and notebooks.  We have the ability to cocoon in a crowd, unto ourselves, insulated from any effect brought on by our environment.

So what is it that makes Ms. Fit successful when the deck is so obviously stacked against us?  I plan to answer this question in phases.  There are some very specific and definable factors that cause us to be unique. There is no doubt that we appeal to women of all ages, shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and fitness levels. Let’s talk about my PHASE ONE reason.  NO DRAMA!!!!  You know what I’m talking about.  It is virtually expected that where two or more women work together…there will be drama; pettiness, jealousy, resentment, and don’t forget about the one true classic…gossip.  Most of us are hard-pressed to come up with one such environment where this did not exist.  We, on the other hand, made a team decision to go against the tide of the “expected”.  We agreed not to allow ourselves to participate in any form of competition, suspicion, ill-will, or any other corrosive behavior.  Every new employee gets THE TALK.  It sound something like this; “You are now entering a team that refuses to allow dissention to have any part in our relationship with each other. We accept no accusation against one another and we ostracize any teammate who violates our standard of performance.  If your personal life is filled with drama and dispaire; while we can certainly empathize with your plight, we expect you to leave it at the door.  If you want to pick it up again when you leave, that is entirely up to you.  Inside these walls, we are committed to allowing grace and mercy to flow freely between us. We believe in, and expect the best of each other.”  This is: Reason Number One.   Next Week – PHASE TWO