Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Steponaitis.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Andrea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story revolves around reinventing myself and career many times to suit each phase of my life. After college, I told myself I was going to own a business one day and my success would come from three things –
1. The people I help
2. The flexibility in my own life
3. The joy I would personally receive from the above 2
I knew that if I could focus on those three things that the financial security would follow and it always has.
I started out as a personal trainer at Baylor Tom Landry Fitness Center in downtown Dallas where I was mentored by some pretty amazing physical therapists, elite personal trainers, aquatic directors and other entrepreneurs. I wanted to know as much as I could about excelling in my field. After six years, I decided I needed more growth for myself in order to eventually be my own boss.
I built up the courage to meet with the owners of an elite physical therapy clinic in Dallas that worked out of the Carrell Clinic, an orthopedic hospital for elite athletes, businessmen, women and the aging population. I presented to them the need to have a trainer in their facility after their patients therapy sessions expired to help regenerate income to the facility and for myself. Afterall, where do people go after recovering from an injury? Why not stay in house and train with an elite trainer who has access to their therapist and can continue to recover in a safe environment?
I was offered to create my own position and was blessed to be a part of such an amazing group of doctors and therapists. It worked very well and I quickly built up a large number of clients on a weekly basis.
After 3.5 years there, I was still itching to start my own business. I met my now husband who was also creating his own medical practice with a few business partners and I wanted to challenge myself to do the same.
Amongst wedding planning, building of a medical practice, the birth of our first child, and an incredible amount of support from my family and husband; I jumped off into the unknown and created my dream. I opened a small women’s only fitness studio in Flower Mound, Texas called MY BODY Fitness.
I was challenged in ways I never thought possible. Many late nights working to make it successful and many long days creating lasting relationships with clients and the community. Many people do not see the non stop work that a business owner goes through behind the scenes. It
As most small businesses can appreciate, I was starting to boom with clientele but having hardship with keeping trustworthy employees. As a person who believes in truthful connections this was my biggest stressor.
My husband’s medical practice was flourishing, creating more demand for time- I became pregnant with our second child. We made a very hard decision to shut down my growing and beautiful studio for the sake of keeping a healthy relationship with our kids at the forefront of our lives.
About a year and a half after shutting my studio down, past clients were itching to know if I would ever start another business. I would receive emails and texts a few times a month. I started to realize that not only have I impacted these women’s lives positively but that they also have been there for me!
I reinvented myself again and started my now business Andrea Claire Fit out of my home in my private garage studio where I now have 16 clients and growing. I have also added virtual boot camps. This means anyone can train with me in the comfort of their own homes at any time from anywhere in the world!
My hope is that this provides a positive learning curve for my kids one day.
Never give up. Never settle. Opportunities are always knocking. Change is good.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Any person who owns a business knows it is never a smooth road. You can only control how you run your business and how you treat people throughout the process. As an entrepreneur and mom, there tends to be a struggle between family life and business. You feel like you are never giving enough of yourself to either. Balancing it all is nearly impossible.
Instead, I have found it is better to give up some control and let life flow than to hold on tightly to ALL the things. This is also why I found a way to reinvent my business to fit my lifestyle the best way I could in these next few seasons in life.
This has had a tremendous positive change in my family’s life while helping to preserve some balance. I hold an attitude of gratitude for this type of opportunity everyday!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Andrea Claire Fit – what should we know?
I am a women’s fitness expert and I specialize in weight loss, pre and postnatal fitness and creating workouts that help women burn max calories in 30 min or less.
I am known for my high energy, motivational personality and support as a trainer and friend. I have helped thousands of women to date lose thousands of pounds but more importantly I believe I have helped them find parts of themselves that have been lost along the way.
I am most proud of how I have been able to grow my company in a way that suits every season in my life. As a mom that is so important to me- to have the flexibility with my family. Because of this, I am able to be fully present with each client and foster positive connections within the community without having to feel stressed (like most small business owners do) I am also so proud of each one of my clients- past, future and present. I have been able to meet some exceptional women with so many stories that matter!
I feel what sets me apart from others is my ability to adapt consistently…. to stay resilient in life and in business. I also feel like I have taken this mompreneur thing and have built a unique place for women to feel safe, supported, motivated and encouraged in a private home-based business. This is a no judgment zone….. rather a rebirth or awaking of who you were meant to be in health, wellness and life!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Gosh, there are too many to count…..
My mom, dad and husband have been my biggest supporters from the start. I could not have done this without them. They have lifted me up every step of the way and throughout every storm and each success.
All of my past, current and future clients deserve credit for their trust in me and my services. Without their belief in me, I couldn’t live this lifelong passion and journey the way I was meant to.
For all of the places I have worked and people who gave me a chance- I am forever grateful for your wisdom and mentorship.
To My client and friend Jessica Adkins who took these photographs of me in my home studio and with clients. She is another awesome mompreneur in the area!
Pricing:
- In house training ranges from $25 per session – $45 per session depending on package chosen and commitment level
- Virtual Bootcamps range from $100-$250 depending on length
Contact Info:
- Phone: 214-707-1947
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @andreaclairefit
- Facebook: @andreaclairefit
Image Credit:
Jessica Adkins @aravaggio
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