Detroit Mom’s Local Love series highlights local women and the businesses they have built. We love supporting small business! Today’s Local Love Spotlight belongs to Rachel Gomillion, owner of TRV|FIT Berkley.
To start, we asked Rachel to share a few fun facts about herself with us!
- She sees the good in people.
- She leads with kindness, and loves adventures.
- She is also known to be silly!
We asked Rachel to share a bit about her business with us, too. Get to know Rachel and her business, TRV|FIT Berkley, below!
How did you come up with the idea of your business, and how did you start?
“The idea for my business came from a deep-rooted passion for fitness and wellness combined with years of experience in the business world. Since childhood, I’ve always dreamed of owning my own fitness and/or wellness studio. However, life took me on a different path. I spent the first 23 years of my career immersed in learning about business operations and management.
“After closing a previous venture, I realized it was time to return to my true passion: the health and fitness industry. Reflecting on my journey, I saw an opportunity to merge my business expertise with my love for fitness and wellness. This realization sparked the idea of buying into an existing fitness or wellness studio that already had a strong foundation and reputation in the community.
“Recognizing the potential of the existing business, I decided to invest in it and take it to new heights. By leveraging my entrepreneurial skills and passion for fitness and wellness, I aimed to enhance the studio’s offerings, streamline operations, and expand its reach. This decision allowed me to pursue my lifelong dream while also building upon the successes of an established business.
“By combining my vision with the existing framework of the studio, I created a business model that not only fulfilled my personal aspirations but also catered to the evolving needs of our clientele. My journey taught me that sometimes the best opportunities come from aligning our passions with existing platforms, allowing us to make a meaningful impact while achieving our entrepreneurial goals.
“I did not start my business, [but rather] I bought into it in September 2021.”
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?
“Embrace uncertainty: Stay adaptable in the face of changing fitness trends and market conditions. See uncertainty as an opportunity for growth and innovation. Prepare for unforeseen challenges by establishing contingency plans.
“Practice gratitude: Show appreciation for your staff’s hard work and dedication. Cultivate a positive atmosphere by expressing gratitude to both staff and members. Recognize the importance of gratitude in building customer loyalty.
“Seek feedback: Regularly gather feedback from staff and members to improve gym experiences. Use feedback to identify areas for enhancement and celebrate successful practices. Foster open communication and empower employees to share their ideas.
“Lean on others: Remember that you’re not alone in the business world. Don’t hesitate to lean on mentors, industry peers, or business networks for support and advice. Collaboration and seeking guidance from others can help navigate challenges and drive success in gym ownership.”
What is the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
“If you always do what you always did, you always get what you always got.”
Have you faced adversity in business due to being a woman? How did you navigate that?
“Navigating body image pressures in the fitness industry as a bigger-bodied woman can present unique challenges due to societal norms that often prioritize a narrow definition of beauty. Here are some additional strategies tailored to address these challenges:
“Celebrate your body: Embrace and celebrate your full-bodied shape. Recognize that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and your curves are a beautiful expression of your unique identity.
“Find representation: Seek out representation of diverse body types in the fitness industry. Follow body-positive influencers, athletes, and fitness professionals who celebrate and advocate for body diversity. Seeing people who look like you thriving in fitness can be empowering and validating.
“Focus on strength and functionality: Shift your focus from achieving a certain body size or shape to building strength, endurance, and overall health. Appreciate your body for its capabilities and all the amazing things it can do, rather than its appearance alone.
“Choose supportive environments: Surround yourself with supportive communities and environments that celebrate diversity and inclusivity. Look for gyms, fitness classes, or online communities that prioritize body positivity and create a welcoming space for individuals of all sizes.
“Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion. Challenge negative self-talk and replace it with positive affirmations and messages of self-love. Treat yourself with the same kindness and respect that you would offer to a friend.
“Dress for comfort and confidence: Wear workout attire that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and empowered. Choose clothing that allows you to move freely and comfortably during exercise, without worrying about how your body looks to others.
“Set boundaries: Set boundaries with individuals or environments that perpetuate negative body image beliefs or fatphobia. Surround yourself with people who respect and celebrate your body just as it is, and don’t hesitate to distance yourself from those who don’t.
“Educate yourself and others: Take the opportunity to educate yourself and others about body diversity, fat acceptance, and the harmful effects of weight stigma. Challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about full-bodied individuals in the fitness industry, and advocate for greater inclusivity and representation.”
How do you persevere in challenging times?
“Believing in the best yet to come and having faith in the universe can provide a sense of hope and resilience. Separating yourself from the immediate issues to gain perspective is also a wise approach, allowing you to see challenges as temporary and part of a broader journey. This combination of faith, optimism, and perspective can be powerful tools for facing adversity and finding strength within yourself.”
What impact do you want your business to have?
“Our business aims to have a transformative impact by providing a safe and enjoyable space for people to embrace movement, improve their health, and enhance their overall quality of life. Through education, community-building, and empowerment, we aspire to be more than just a gym or studio–we aim to be a catalyst for positive change in the lives of our members and the broader community.”
What are the pros and cons of being a woman business owner in 2024?
“In 2024, there’s unprecedented opportunity for women to connect and control their creativity through various platforms and communities, fostering empowerment and innovation. However, achieving work-life balance remains a challenge, as the expanding opportunities may demand more time and dedication, potentially impacting personal pursuits and family obligations.”
What knowledge would you share with someone who wants to become an entrepreneur?
“Remember that entrepreneurship is a journey filled with uncertainties, but with careful planning, strategic execution, and perseverance, you can increase your chances of building a successful and sustainable business.”
What do you do for personal and professional development?
“Goldman’s Sac 10000 Small Business Program [and] lots of personal development: Retreat to Reclaim, Sunshine Retreat, Barefoot and Free, Coteriedetroit, Wellness Warriors, Moms In Business. [And] podcast[s]: Mel Robbins, Emily Fletcher, Christine Cain, Joel Osteen, The Spiritual Hustler (Jessica Zweig), The Wonder Women, and many more.”
What mantra or quote do you live by?
“Be yourself: everybody else is already taken.” –Oscar Wilde
“For our own success to be real it must contribute to the success of others.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
What’s your favorite place in Detroit or Michigan?
“Pictured Rocks [for] Michigan. Dequindre Cut for Detroit.”
Where can our readers find you on social media?
You can follow TRV|FIT Berkley on Facebook, Instagram, and on their website!
