Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg.
Hi Greg, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
For years I had wanted to start my own business. I was interested in doing something that would keep me in shape, give me a chance to teach and lead others, and be something my family could be involved in as well. In 2015 I opened my first gym and operated that for 8 years with a partner. In 2024 I ventured out on my own and opened Gracie Barra Northville. As with any business venture, it was a whirlwind of a journey. After signing the lease for my new location, my daytime employer decided they didn’t need my services anymore and I was thrust into a situation of opening a new business with over half of our steady income removed from our lives. With the help of dozens of dedicated friends, students and family members and a very big credit card, we renovated the space, set up a website, started advertising, and then started running classes within the span of one month, oh, yeah, while also tending to my wife who had knee replacement surgery 5 days after starting construction. Personally working 16 plus hours a day, 7 days a week for a month was the most difficult stretch of labor in my life, but incredibly rewarding when I could finally turn that open sign on.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t know of any small business that has a smooth road. Other gym owners are amazed that we were able to go from an open box leased space that needed: both water heaters replaced, doors replaced, tile floor jackhammered away, 2 bathrooms renovated, plumbing redone, electrical outlets moved, all of the walls painted, 1000 sf of flooring laid down, a counter designed and built by us, equipment and decor hung, furniture purchased, getting a website built, finding a marketing company, setting up a billing system and getting everything approved by the city in the span of a month. Days were spent running down to the location, then coming back home to help my wife with PT on her knee, taking her to Dr. appointments, then going back down to the building to work until 2am most evenings. Even with all of that, I would not have been able to open on time were it not for a friend who went significantly out of his way to loan us mats.
At times, it seems like that was the easy part of the business. There are continual challenges of finding new members and marketing companies that can bring them in, hiring staff members to fill needed roles, training coaches, deciding which classes to run, developing systems to operate efficiently and of course finding time to train myself! Finding my way back into a steady corporate job, balancing work, the business and family life is a perpetual balancing act. Working 5-7 days a week for 60-80 hours makes planning for family time essential. For those interested in starting your own business, it’s not for the faint of heart and takes a full commitment from the entire family.
We’ve been impressed with Gracie Barra Northville, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Gracie Barra is the largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu franchise in the world, with over 1000 schools worldwide. We specialize in teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing. We cater to business professionals who desire a way to keep in shape while learning a skill with like minded people to support them. We have an incredibly inclusive family atmosphere where most of our kids coaches started training themselves after they enrolled their own kids. Even at 54 years old, I am still an active Jiu-Jitsu competitor and was the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation brown belt gi world champion in the 50-55 year old age group in 2021, and a black belt finalist in no gi in 2022. We offer classes to children as young as 3 years old, and also offer a women’s only program.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is my relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Nothing is more important than our eternal salvation and sharing the good news with others. With all of the responsibilities that come with raising a family, putting kids through college, working a day job and running a business, it is very easy to get distracted from that priority. I find my strength in knowing that there is a God that loves us all and has already mapped out our lives, as long as we are strong enough to follow it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gbnorthville.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graciebarranorthville/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/graciebarranorthville
