Hidden Gems: Meet Karly Feenstra of Happy Leader Project

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karly Feenstra

Hi Karly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
At 13, I was handed a stack of phone numbers to cold call for the karate school I practically grew up in. My hands shook for 30 minutes before making that first call. Despite being uncomfortable (and a few rude people who answered the phone), I kept going because I loved teaching and witnessing my students transform.

Martial arts shaped me in so many ways. It taught me discipline, resilience, and the power of mentorship. As I grew into an instructor, I saw firsthand how learning to push past discomfort—whether in training or in life—leads to real transformation. In fact, it’s in that discomfort where we grow the most. But it wasn’t until I started mentoring other instructors and helping other businesses that I learned passion alone wasn’t enough to build a thriving career, or really make an impact at scale.

I was fortunate that my karate studio became more than just a place to train—it became my business school. I learned the ins and outs of marketing, sales, and leadership, skills that later took me from adventure guiding to working with small businesses in rural Ecuador. Whether leading expeditions or helping artisans grow their craft into sustainable businesses, I saw a common thread: real success comes from blending passion with strategy. But no matter where I went, my heart always pulled me back to fitness and martial arts. I knew I could help coaches and studio owners turn their passion into something sustainable—without sacrificing the authenticity that made them great in the first place.

Today, I help fitness professionals build sustainable, thriving businesses while staying true to their values. Because at the end of the day, success isn’t just about numbers—it’s about impact, community, and freedom.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
“smooth” is not the road I would use. I’ve had a very nonlinear career. In fact, if you told me 5 years ago that this is where I’d be I wouldn’t have believed you.

When I first started as an instructor in martial arts, sales made me so uncomfortable I developed a stutter! It didn’t help that I was a teenager at the time and was so concerned with how others viewed me. I had to learn to put my ego aside and focus on serving, then everything flowed.

In 2019, I was living with an indigenous community in Ecuador helping them with their eco-tourism business. Besides the logistical challenges like frequent power outages, no internet connection within 15 miles, and lack of resources, the biggest challenge was learning to meet the community leaders where they were at. Their business goals, perspective, and priorities looked much different than your typical business here in southern california. This forced me to reevaluate a lot of assumptions I had about what it takes to make a successful business and leader.

That led me to launch a business in 2020 to support those marginalized communities in Ecuador through sustainable products. And we all know what happened in 2020. All plans went out the window, and I had to shift all my messaging and support toward raising funds to feed families in the communities I was working with. We were able to feed hundreds of families while their local economies recovered!

I’m grateful that many of the struggles I’ve experienced have made me a better, more compassionate, more adaptable coach for others.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Happy Leader Project helps fitness studio owners and fitness professionals bridge the gap between passion and business success. My coaching focuses on sales, marketing, and leadership—without the burnout or sleazy tactics.

What sets me apart? I’ve lived every aspect of the fitness business—from client to instructor to manager to business strategist. I understand the unique challenges studio owners face because I’ve been in the trenches, balancing growth with maintaining a strong community.

I specialize in helping fitness professionals simplify sales and client retention, ensuring their studios are not just surviving but thriving. Whether it’s refining the onboarding process, improving conversions, or building a team that can sell with confidence, my approach is all about making business skills feel as natural as coaching a class.

Through 1-on-1 and team coaching, our mission is to help fitness leaders grow their businesses without sacrificing the authenticity and connection that make their studios special.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
You are the 5 people you spend the most time with.

Through many chapters of my life I’ve been reminded of the power of community in shaping your decisions and sense of happiness.

Pricing:

• Free Strategy Session (they can book through happyleaderproject.com)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://happyleaderproject.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachkarlyfeen/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/happyleaderproject/

Image Credits
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