Beverly Slover opened the doors of BFit Gym two years ago on April 11, 2023. Her dream business continues to grow and thrive with the latest addition, BFit Gym Studio, a classroom set apart from the workout space.
Slover’s original plan expanded into unexpected areas. After opening she became a wellness benefit provider to several insurance companies, not a part of her initial business plan. But that part of her business is important to Slover and her members. “When I found out that I could provide this membership – it started out in my mind that mentally it was for my Medicare and Medicaid people that wanted to be here – that was really important to me. Without that they couldn’t come. ” Slover now has several ladies that have membership because of the wellness benefit offered.
Members who take advantage of wellness programs benefit with a reduced membership cost as well as getting healthier. Slover also files insurance for her clients.
The rapid growth of her business exceeded Slover’s expectations. “Anybody that opens a business has a business plan of what their expectations are and what they need to do. I had that set. And I was surprised. I’ve stayed focused on what I want to do and how I need to do it and how to keep this business. Anybody can open a gym next door to me. But as long as I’m doing what I say I’m going to do and I’m providing the service I said I was going to provide and I’m keeping it where my members are happy, they’re going to want to be here. We know our members.”
Toward that end Slover began brainstorming with friend and instructor Melissa Mullins on what is next to make BFit Gym better. “What am I lacking? What am I not doing that I could maybe do some other way? How can I better my business? What can I do that I can help people be a member?” Holding in the back of Slover’s mind is a building vacancy three doors down from the gym.
Two issues she mulled over in her mind. Slover has strict guidelines governing BFit Gym including no children under the age of 15 inside the gym which makes things difficult for moms of young children especially. “Children don’t need to be in here. It’s not a place to play. This is a place where people come to seriously take care of themselves.” Moms do come but leave their kids sitting on the benches outside the gym. The second item was a desire to offer more classes at varying times which meant more coaches.
As the two women talked Slover realized the vacant building would be a perfect location for more classroom space and space for children. While speaking with the maintenance man she told him a wall was needed to separate the children’s space from classroom space with a two way window. He happened to have the perfect size of plexiglass on hand. The building owner agreed to all the renovations needed to create the new BFit Gym Studio space. Slover gave all credit to God for His provision just as she has in all her endeavors.
Slover clarified and stressed parents must remain with children in the Studio at all times. “The only time you can bring your children into that non supervised area is when you are in that building taking a class. That’s my only rule that I have. You have to realize things happen.” She did say it will be an inviting area for kids to hang out.
Slover also installed wall workout pieces and exercise balls. Future plans include the addition of yoga for stretching. “We need different things. Not everybody wants to come and do cardio and lifting weights. My guys want to stretch. Believe it or not I may have more guys in a yoga class than I would women. When they’re training they need to not only build those muscles but they need to stretch them.”
BFit began the first class mid October meeting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning at 5:00 am and it was full. Slover says many prefer the early morning hour for convenience before the work day begins. Her plan also includes offering mid-morning and late afternoon classes at various times as the need grows to accommodate members. Slover has coaches lined up and ready to teach as enrollment grows in the Studio. She noted, “This studio is not just for ladies. I want people to know it is for men and women.”
Slover added that there is no separate membership fee for Studio benefits as it falls under BFit Gym. “I’m trying to figure out a way that no one should have an excuse to not be able to come to the gym and take care of themselves. It’s always going to be about this gym; what’s good for the gym and good for my members that want to be here.”
