ABC Management

I have just a second, so I thought I would finish my post about the ABC Management.

A = Analytical (people follow you because you are "smart")
B = Bold (people follow you because they believe in you)
C = Caring (people follow you because you care for them)

Cory said that usually people are born with one, have some of another, and none of the third. We went around the room and determined the one we were lacking. Thomas was born with C and has some of A. Cory encouraged him to focus only on B, then. I was born with C as well, but have some of B. Cory told me that I could research and find data to impress people with what I know. With the ABCs of management, you could be a great well-rounded manager.


We (just the two of us) also met with Cory in his office yesterday. He asked us what our biggest fear is going into this big business move. I answered, "Paying the bills." He understood, and encouraged us that he and everyone in the office was on our side. He was in our shoes at our age - opened his first gym at 22 years old (it was only the 2nd My Gym). Now he is the CEO of a huge company with over 200 My Gyms worldwide. He personally has owned about 20 gyms over the past 25 years My Gym has been around. He has so much faith in us, it's crazy but so wonderful! We are just waiting now until October 6th (take over date) to be able to get into them gym and do what everyone knows we can do!

Part 1 done

We have finished our business week of training. We changed hotels tonight to be closer to the training gym. We will work there tomorrow (Friday) through Friday 10/3 with either Saturday or Sunday off (we will find that out in the morning). I think today was my favorite day so far because it had personality tests, goal setting exercises, and management meetings. Cory (the CEO) actually led the management meeting and two things stuck out in my mind: 1) Be like Disney... the "happiest place on earth" and 2) He told us that if you are 90% skilled in classes/birthday parties and 10% in the business, you can run a successful gym. That was encouraging as the business side of this is overwhelming. Cory believes in us so much! He has faith that if we run awesome classes and parties, everything will fall into place.

I want to tell you about an ABC management test we also did, but I have a lot to do to get ready for tomorrow's training. I won't keep you waiting long.... We miss everyone (and thanks for reading)!

Not Enough Sleep

We have completed day 3 of training, and already we aren't getting enough sleep. Meeting after meeting, we are slowing getting to the days where we will train in the gym (that is more like home for us). There are 5 other people training with us: a couple opening in Conneticut, a woman who bought a resale in Virginia, a man who is opening in Canada, and someone who is starting My Gym in INDIA! A lot of the training so far was a review for us, but today was more like accounting class in college. We learned some finacial stuff and how to use Quickbooks.

We are still excited about this process, but have a ton to do! We finally got our LLC and federal tax ID # today so more things can fall into place. Tomorrow is packed with meetings again and then a dinner with everyone, so hopefully we can go open a business bank account on Friday (everything kinda dominoes after that). Yippy, more paper work - what it takes to own a business... but it's sooo worth it! Reality hasn't quite set in yet, though, that we are actually going to OWN a My Gym - our own - run it how we want - work for ourselves - be a business owner! Wow, hopefully it will hit us soon after we get some sleep. Stay tuned for more updates...

We made it to L.A.

Yesterday, we flew from Orlando to L.A. We knew that we had one stop, but since it wasn't a layover, we didn't know where. Checking the flight board, we started laughing because our stop was actually in Denver (our future home). The story didn't end there, though. A few second later, I asked Thomas, "Is that Amy Diamond?" Our new reginal director was going back to Denver, CO (her home) from visiting her parents in Florida. We ended up on the same flight, so we all sat together (picture below). She got off at Denver, and we kept going to L.A. We will see her again in two weeks when we take over the Arvada, CO My Gym. As we are here in L.A., we have such a busy schedule. Monday-Thursday we are in meetings at the Corporate office (usually 8am-6pm or 8pm). Friday 9/26 - Friday 10/3 (8:30am-8pm) we are training at a My Gym in Toluca Lake, California. We will try to post on here what we are up to and how things are going, as it will be hard for us to call everyone with a 3 hour time zone difference.

Below is a picture that was taken of us with a few My Gym Corporate people at the seminar in June (when all this owner talk started). Their names and what they do (I don't know their who title yet) below might help you know who we are talking about this week (although, there are so many more corporate people who we are meeting here in California).

Back (left to right): Laura (support), Edwin (training), Angie (training)
Front (left to right): Cory (CEO - a.k.a. "Mr. My Gym"), Amy (our new reginal director), Thomas and Juli (owners of Arvada, CO in two weeks), Chris (our old reginal director in Orlando/support division)

Other key people involved in this resale so far (but not in picture) would include: Jamie (CFO), Tom (transition specialist), and Arnold (who we signed a huge book of contracts with today).

To Natalie

Hi Natalie,

We are at the airport now, and we wanted to write a letter just to YOU! We know that you are sad that we are moving, but we will still talk to you often (and even see you on the web-cam... as soon as we get one). We know that we can count on you to stay up on all the new gadgets that come out to help us keep in touch. Between this blog, myfamily.com, emails, cell phones, and web-cams, hopefully it will still feel like we are 3 streets down from you. We know that we will see you soon for a visit (you could come play in the snow). We love you so much, and want you to know we will still be here for you!

Jacob

Last night was so hard! We had to say bye to our nephew, Jacob. Lots of tears were shed, but memories (9 months worth) will last forever! Jacob True Shaw came into this world 10 weeks early. We quickly took on the role as aunt and uncle on day one in the NICU, and we will continue to no matter how far away we are! Jacob has been a joy and a delight to us. We are thankful now for the 10 extra weeks God gave us with him. He was a true fighter to be the boy he is today. Miles cannot come between the love we have for him, and we are excited to watch him continue to grow. Thanks to technology today (like this blog), we will not be strangers, and Jacob will know how much his aunt and uncle love him! We love you!

Packing...

This has been a hard move to pack for! I have moved almost every year since I was 15 years old, but never to a different state. Everything has to be packed so carefully, and I have more things that are special to me.

We also have to not only pack our boxes, but we are packing suitcases to stay in L.A. for two weeks during training. As you can see from the picture, Jacob is ready to come with us... he just has to convince his mommy and daddy to come, too.

It is sad packing up our home here in Orlando, but we are excited to set up a new home in Colorado for people to visit us (hopefully soon). I will post pictures of our house and the My Gym once we get there (and of course the first time it snows) so stay tuned...

From Thomas & Juli

As Jacob posted a few days ago, we have some very surprising, exciting, and emotional news to share with you. These two Floridians are moving to Arvada, Colorado (near Denver). This decision is bitter-sweet as it is heartbreaking to leave family/friends, but exciting in that we are finally able to pursue our dream.

As some of you know, we met each other almost 5 years ago working at My Gym Children’s Fitness Center. Our love of the company quickly developed into a dream of owning our own My Gym one day. We thought this dream would come true far down the road, but sometimes life can surprise you!

The process of all this has been unfolding for the past few months and now things are finalizing. Basically, we are leaving to go to training in L.A. on September 21st and then take over the My Gym in Colorado on October 6th. We are blessed by getting a really, really good deal on the resale of this particular gym, along with daily support we receive from My Gym Corporate who have so much faith in us!

Please understand that this move and transition is hard on us emotionally, too, and that is why keeping in touch is so important! Our 9 month old nephew, Jacob, and his mom set this blog up for us to post pictures (snow will be coming soon!) and updates from Colorado. Please check it out when you can, and also send us emails with updates on you and your family. We are sad to leave Florida, but can’t wait to start this new adventure together!

From Jacob

Ok, so it's me, Jacob, posting here. I know you haven't left yet, but the message on the side is for when you do leave.

My mommy thinks I don't understand what is going on. I do. I had to look away when she was telling me so that I would not cry. I have to stay strong for her because she is so sad that you guys are leaving.

Aunt Juli, you are her bestest friend. She says she is really excited for you. She is telling everyone how exciting it is what you guys are doing and how she would do the same thing if she were you (but then she couldn't be my mommy and that would make me sad). She is going to miss you guys so much.

On Sunday I saw her crying when she was singing. I know her pretty well and I think it was because she was thinking that she would not be able to sing and look at and see you guys playing with me on Sunday mornings anymore...wait...that makes me want to cry! Don't you want to fly home for church so that you can see me?

I need to take a picture of you guys with me so that I can put it by my bed and kiss it at night before I go to bed.

I am going to miss you so much, but have a blast, make lots of money, don't fall in love with any other kids and come home soon.

I love you!
Love, Jacob