This week on my Parents in Business series I’m featuring Jennifer Emery; an online fitness coach and influencer. Jennifer decided to set up her online fitness coaching business after suffering from exhaustion and never seeing her husband when she worked as a fitness instructor. The change has been phenomenal and she can now schedule work around her children and family commitments.
I guess that this is the dream that many working mums are trying to achieve where they can have a better work life balance. Jennifer is achieving that which is only possible because of the internet. So if you’re a parent running their own business, keep learning, keep going, and always invest in yourself. Have a read of Jennifer’ story below…
Tell me a little bit about you, your background, and your business?
I am Jennifer, a mum to two gorgeous girls Harriet (11) and Scarlett (9). I am married to a wonderful man called Ian and we live in Willaston, Cheshire. I am a fitness instructor and online health and fitness coach/influencer and I am passionate about mentoring mums on how they can turn their passion of fitness into their own business and do this all from home.
What were your motivations for setting up your business?
Just under 18 months ago I became an online fitness influencer / coach and within 6 months I had grown a large client base of predominantly mums across the UK, US and Canada and had matched my income from teaching as a fitness instructor which allowed me to cut back on the number of classes I was teaching. It has changed my life completely.
I was a worn out fitness instructor for over 8 years, and for a long time I was teaching 12 classes per week around my two young children. Regularly leaving the house when my husband got home from work to go out to teach. We were like passing ships in the night. I was exhausted and even though I loved fitness I knew things had to change as it just wasn’t sustainable long term. I wasn’t able to put my children to bed at night or see my husband as I would regularly get home after 9pm shattered and just wanting to sleep. I suffered burnout on several occasions and realised that I had to make a change.
Since becoming an online influencer/coach I have been able to take control of my health and fitness and find a much better balance. I believe that every mum can get amazing results in the comfort of her own home and without having to spend hours every day working out and at the same time build a successful online business transforming not only her life but the lives of those around her. As an online coach / influencer, all of your training is provided online so you are able to work this around your current family and work commitments.
How do you balance the business around your family and childcare?
Becoming an online fitness influencer/coach means that I choose when I work my business. I schedule my posts, share my workouts with my followers each day and work on my business when the girls are in school. I can pick up and drop off at school, put them to bed and spend time with my husband. I absolutely love teaching fitness classes but I am now have a much better work life balance. I now teach 1-2 classes per week and the rest of my business in online supporting clients in their own home.
Since setting up your business what has been your biggest success to date?
In terms of my business and family life, being able to cut back the volume of classes I teach has been incredible as it has given me more time with my family.
In terms of weight loss,I have helped hundreds of clients with their health, fitness and weight loss goals, one of my clients has lost over 60lbs all from working out and good nutrition at home. I have added her details below in the black leggings. Genna has tried slimming clubs, the gym and some diets which didn’t work. She has two children and works full time and has been able to drastically improve her health all from home. Both myself and my husband have lost over 50lbs between us and are in better shape now than when we met 19 years ago.
Not only am I able to make my own health a priority, I am now able to support so many women and mums who feel stuck. Stuck with poor health and stuck with their career path.
What’s your top tip for anyone who is thinking about setting up their own business?
If you are serious about growing your own business you MUST invest in yourself, in terms of personal growth and training. I see a lot of mums wanting to start a business but who are not prepared to invest in the tools, time or knowledge to grow themselves. I read or listen to podcasts every single day, in the car, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, basically whenever I have the opportunity to do it and as a result I am in a completely different place mentally in only 18 months and this has really helped drive my business forward.
Thank you so much for letting me feature you on my blog. I wish you the best of luck in the future.
If you would like to find out how you can turn your passion of fitness into a business (you do not need to be a fitness professional to become an online influencer / coach) then email jenniferemeryfitnesscoach@gmail.com
You can find out more by visiting Jennifer on her on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn page.
If you like what you’re reading and would love to be part of my Parents in Business series just drop me an email: thepramshedblog@gmail.com. Or have a nose at some of the other businesses I have featured in the series: Bisou Candle Co, Mindset by Pinky, and Kingshill Studios
Claire x