Today we’d like to introduce you to Meto Pierce.
Hi Meto, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I realize that everyone’s story is unique and fascinating. For me personally, it’s certainly been a journey and I’m proud to say that I’m a first-generation immigrant definitely living the true American dream. Born and raised in Bulgaria I always knew I wanted more. After graduating university and getting a Master’s degree I was overwhelmed with the desire to pursue something larger so in 2005 I landed in LA, the city I saw in movies, with a few bucks in my pocket and a big dream.
Being in a country you weren’t born in is hard when you are alone building from the ground up, but it’s also so motivating when you know that you are the only soul you can count on; I was forced to have the drive to overcome. Building wasn’t easy and involved taking any job I could find from selling personalized Oscars on Hollywood Boulevard to working at a bakery. I had many moments where I considered going back home, but I was falling in love with LA. As a person and entrepreneur, the city gave me grit and taught me how to persevere.
My “breakout moment” came while working at Party On La Cienega. For everyone who was here in LA in the 2000’s, you know Party on La Cienega was the spot for celebrities to do anything related to custom invitations, party supplies, and high-end gift-wrapping service. I was a creative kind of a guy and still am, so I hustled to become the buyer in under a year. Unfortunately, the store eventually closed down, but by leveraging the relationships I made while there, I started my very own private concierge service working exclusively with a few well-known business families.
Here I gained the tools to truly create, grow, and operationalize a brand, which I was able to apply to my love of fitness I developed when I began working with a personal trainer. I longed for a fitness experience that was more honest than the Hollywood façade, that understood that fitness was about transformation within ourselves which occurs through discipline and the community that supports us. But I also shouldn’t have to give up top of the line facilities in the process. After six months in the works, HVY Industry was born.
I look back at my journey and it is so clear how each struggle and experience has contributed to who I am. As I continue to expand the footprint of HVY Industry and build up other projects, I can’t wait to see what else this boy from Bulgaria can accomplish.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Anyone who says it is a smooth road, especially being an entrepreneur, is lying. We all go through so much in our lives, juggling personal lives, demands of work, and trying to not lose sight of what we are trying to build. My personal challenges have to do with not having the support of my family here in the U.S. It can be a lonely road having to build a life from the ground up, and that has presented moments of asking myself why am I still doing this. Now with Covid19 hitting the business in 2020 it’s a completely different story. We have all lived it, we are actually still living it, and the adjustments we have had to make as a small business in LA are insane. But I knew that HVY Industry was essential to our community and that there is so much potential we still haven’t tapped so we are staying solid to provide services while we await a return to some semblance of normal operations. I don’t have to stress the importance of health and fitness, especially in LA, but the waiting is definitely the hardest part.
We’ve been impressed with HVY Industry, 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?
HVY Industry is so much more than the top private gym in LA: it’s the convergence of community, fitness, and culture. There are far too many gyms so focused on perfection that people don’t feel comfortable to be themselves. Well guess what, we can’t all be perfect but we can exercise regularly for our health and work towards our goals, both physical and mental. At HVY Industry you come as you are and we help get you where you want to be, and that transformative experience is so much more than just your appearance. HVY has the top trainers in the industry, the most modern equipment and facilities, and the largest suite of recovery toys for clients. I always wanted to do my part to create a culture of acceptance. Our community is made up of true A-listers to regular career folk, people young and old, gay, straight, trans — we truly live by the mantra that all races, all religions, all cultures, all sexual orientations and gender expressions, and all abilities are safe at HVY– this was written on the outer wall of our building the day we opened and it’s still there. I am proud that this is the culture that I’m fostering and sustaining within the walls of HVY Industry, it truly is a family.
We also work with some of the most talented artists such as @artworkbyartlord who curates rotating pieces throughout the gym and has created the most amazing murals on the side of the gym. A new one is about to pop up on the side wall soon for everyone who drives by on Beverly to enjoy. Definitely come by and snap a photo.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck is everything that got me here and I’m truly grateful to all the amazing people I’ve met here in the past 15 years who were willing to give me a chance. But I do always try to remind myself that in order to be in the right position to even take advantage of luck, you have to be prepared for the opportunity. Without doing the work, they’ll merely pass you by because you won’t be ready. Having this business, working now on two more projects, and being married to my beautiful hubby and his big crazy family is making me the happiest every day, Talk about lucky! Everyone I have ever crossed paths with has taught me something and every experience throughout this journey is the reason I am living my American Dream.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: hvyindustry.com
- Instagram: @metopierce @hvyindustry
