Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Villers.
Benjamin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up, I was an athlete that played a wide variety of sports. I put on Ski’s for the first time when I was three years old. As a young kid, I began to take on team sports. I played Soccer, Basketball, Baseball. Over the summers, I would go away to sleep away camp, where swimming was a big deal.
I was a competitive swimmer, that was able to perform all types of swimming strokes, and win. This then turned into me being a lifeguard for ten years and being very comfortable in the water. When I was between the ages of 11-13, I was a three-time Jr Triathlon winner.
As I began to get older, I transitioned from soccer to football and basketball to wrestling. All of these sports I played at a high level. The point of this is not to brag, but simply explain that I have a wide range of experience, that I am able to utilize in my craft.
When clients have specific goals such as weight loss, toning, weight gain, long distance, athletics, etc., I am able to take on this challenge with success. I am originally from Stamford, Connecticut. A small city outside of NYC. I come from a very diverse community, with a wide range of cultures that I was exposed to.
I went to college at Indiana University, where I completed my Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology, which is studying the movements & mechanics of the human body.
After I graduated, I immediately got my Personal Training Certification but had not pursued training full time, still a part-time endeavor. At this point, I still had not developed confidence in selling Fitness training because I was so comfortable in the fitness space. My mindset was, “Who wants to buy training? Everyone knows what they are talking about and this information is “common sense.”
After living in CT for two years after college, I then moved to LA where I eventually developed the business confidence to start my own practice. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have my own business, but what the business would be was the question. I eventually developed the mindset that I was in the minority of people who was as active as I was, and that the majority of people were not as active or knowledgeable as me.
I now have been in LA for over three years, and developed my confidence in business through my ventures here in California. I have done business with people in fitness/nutrition as far north as Ventura County and as far South of San Diego. It has been a grind, that I love.
While being on this adventure I became a DJ/MC unexpectedly, which is now a long term focus and a major part of my business. DJ’ing has taken me up to Pebble Beach, out in the desert, all over LA/South Bay and all the way to San Diego. Thus, the name “Jamin Fitness.”
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My journey has not been a smooth road. I have had many ups and downs. I have been through financial hardship, emotional hardship, multiple job rejections. While living in California specifically, I have seen the worst of times and the best of times. As of now, things are on the upward.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Jamin Fitness – what should we know?
My business is called “Jamin Fitness”. Jamin Fitness is a lifestyle brand related to both fitness and music. It started when I was young. My name is Benjamin and was called “Jamin” at a young age from people I know. The name stuck with me for years. Jamin Fitness represents me, I am in the service industry. I must always be present, sharp and ready to go whether it is training a client or behind the turntable.
When I graduated college, I got my degree and my personal training certificate, I Trademarked “Jamin Fitness” because I felt this was a name that was catchy and did not want someone to take. It took five years to finally put the trademark to good use.
I am a full-time Fitness Trainer & DJ/MC. I train out of two gyms and I have a company that sells/books work for me in the DJ field. I am most proud, that I have a business model that is sustainable and that I am doing something that I enjoy doing. Getting out of corporate was a pressure I put on myself and it was very stressful.
I was successful in doing this and now focusing on growing my brand one day turning this into a scaled company. I am known for my unique presence and positive energy that I bring to work daily. Consistency is one thing I take pride in.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
While the hard work and grind was something I put in relentlessly daily, I could not have done this alone. Big thanks to, my previous employers in California that have given me the opportunity to use their resources to make the connections that I have today. Without them, I would not be in this unique particular situation.
Presently, two companies help me today give me a platform to help build my brand. A gym called, A Tigher U in Culver City that keeps me busy while I build more independent clients and Vox DJ’s the company that provides music gigs for me.
My sister, who is also my roommate plays a big role in my success. She is the one who lured me to California and has always been supportive.
Pricing:
- Training 1 on 1= $90 per hour
- Training 2 on 1= $60 per hour
- 3+ training= $55 per person per hour
- Professional DJ/MC=$800-$1000 per event
Contact Info:
- Website: jaminfitness.com
- Phone: 2032733985
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Stefanie Villers- CatchingCali
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