I spent the last weekend of May 2009 in New Jersey with a bunch of fitness professionals from across the US and Canada for 2 reasons, and received a bonus as well. Here I am with one of the folks I met: The Fit Yummy Mummy herself, Holly Rigsby. (By the way, could my head be ANY larger?)Let me tell you a little bit about WHY I went to New Jersey in the first place. I’m going to need a few sentences to set this all up, so please keep reading.
The night before I was to leave for New Jersey, I called a local taxi company and requested a cab for 5 a.m. sharp in order to get me on time to where I hold my morning boot camp classes. I was very specific with them about needing a cab at precisely 5 a.m., gave them my address (even spelled it out and had them repeat it back to me) and ended the conversation with the words, “It is imperative that the cab arrive no later than 5 a.m., is that understood?”
The person who took down my info assured me that they would be there on time. Famous last words…
I’m sure you can tell where this is all leading…and the cab got to my house at 5:16 a.m. It was not the drivers fault, the dispatcher sent her to the wrong address.
Strike 1.
When, after many flight delays, I finally arrived at the Newark airport, I called the shuttle service I was told about and, true to form, he arrived in about 15 minutes. That was great.
I was paired to ride with a man from California who was in NJ for a business conference, and he was staying at the Marriot Courtyard in Bridge-something New Jersey. Morristown, where I was staying, is about 15 minutes from the airport. We left the airport at 7:05 p.m. and, once again, I’m quite certain you can see where this is going.
I arrived at my hotel at 8:30. I saw quite a lot of New Jersey, however…all for just $40 bucks. What a steal, huh?
Strike 2.
Sunday, I departed the conference and rode back to the airport (thanks to my daughter and son-in-law) and made the 15 minutes ride in comfort. My flight was scheduled (key word) to leave at 2:35 p.m. Jersey time, so I ate a little something before arriving at the gate at around 2:10 p.m.
As I was walking up to the gate my wife called to inform me that she was locked out of the house. She’d had a friend visiting for the weekend who apparently had set a door lock we never use, one in the actual door handle. No fault to my wife’s friend, it was just one of those things. I told my wife to either break a window or call a locksmith. She opted for the locksmith.
I wish now that she’d broken a window.
What do you think it costs to have a locksmith who lives less than 5 minutes from your home open a door for you in under 3 minutes on a Sunday afternoon?
If you guessed anything less than $177.50 you’re wrong.
Strike 3.
Here’s the point I want to make with regards to all of this:
This could have just as easily been you over the course of a weekend dealing with “service” businesses throughout your week. You could have just as easily been frustrated, had your time wasted and not received value for your hard earned dollars.
I refuse to operate in that manner.
I went to New Jersey to:
A) further my education on the business of business, and to
B) hang out with my peers, the “best of the best” in the industry.
I wanted to pick their brains as to what they do to give great service, to provide value and to excel in their chosen field of endeavor. I went to learn from the top 1% of the industry.
I went there to do that for you. I want to improve for you. I want to be your “go to guy” when it comes to fitness, health, fat loss and youth sports performance.
I don’t take the honor of your having placed your trust in me to be your fitness or sports performance provider lightly. I am deeply humbled and moved by these things. I also want to constantly work harder to do more, to be better and to earn your trust every day.
From the depths of my soul, THANK YOU for the honor and trust.
While I was in New Jersey I also became a member of two organizations: The Association of Professional Personal Trainers (APPT) and the International Youth Coaches Association (IYCA). I joined these organizations to further my education as well as increase my legitimacy and credibility in the field I cherish so much.
This is also one of the reasons why I like doing business with folks who understand the fitness business, professionalism, quality service and value. It’s why I’m a Prograde Pro. To see what I mean, and why I do business with these guys, please go to their website and watch these very brief videos. These guys are more than fitness and business professionals, they’re my friends.
Please go here now to watch the videos: Prograde Behind the Scenes
Conclusion
Please do me this favor: If you can tell me any way that you think I can improve upon my level of service toward you, please write me: steve@firestormfitcamps.com
And the bonus I mentioned at the outset of this article? I got to meet my son-in-law, Randy, and my see my beautiful, very pregnant (6 months along) daughter, Stephanie, and spend some time with them. That made the entire trip spectacular.
Thanks again,
Steve
