Allison Bradley and Erica Ames have been friends since high school. After college, the duo both ended up in Charlotte, where together, they discovered Burn Boot Camp. Little did they know at the time, the brand would soon make business partners out of them. Bradley and Ames fell in love with the concept, which opened them up to a new community of fitness-loving locals. When Bradley and her husband moved to the West Coast, the couple did not want to leave Burn Boot Camp behind. So, the Bradleys signed a franchise agreement with Burn Boot Camp in Oceanside, CA and hired Ames as the Lead Trainer for their franchise location. Bradley and Ames see Oceanside as the perfect fit for the brand’s growth, due primarily to the many military families in the community. Many military families are used to moving and, like Bradley and Ames, are eager to find the kind of community Burn Boot Camp provides. 

1851 Franchise: How did the two of you become business partners?

Allison Bradley: Erica and I have been friends since high school. Erica and I started as Burn Boot Camp clients in Charlotte, NC, and both of us fell in love with everything about the concept after taking a couple classes. I was a member at Burn Boot Camp’s Elizabeth location for two years. We signed a membership agreement with Burn, and it became an incredible community to be part of. 

Erica Ames: As Allison said, both of us fell in love with Burn Boot Camp. I have a background in athletic training and have my personal training certification. When I found out that Allison and her husband would be moving to the west coast for a job her husband took, we knew we didn’t want to leave Burn Boot Camp behind. At that point, Allison and her husband had contacted HQ and put together a game plan. One of the main reasons we are so excited is because we know exactly what Burn Boot Camp is supposed to be since we were members and so close to the corporate team in Charlotte. 

1851: What convinced you to that Burn Boot Camp was the right brand for you as a franchisee? 

Bradley: As clients of Burn Boot Camp, we were able to truly see the brand from an outsider's perspective, and then we became members. Our holistic journey and positive experience with the brand gave us a good feel for the brand and how the business operates. When the opportunity presented itself to become franchisees, we felt like it was a no brainer because it is a concept we both feel to be very empowering and could make a large impact in Oceanside.  

1851: What was the most exciting prospect about franchising with Burn Boot Camp?

Bradley: Outside of our biggest life goals, this was something my husband and I both wanted to do and felt passionately about making happen. My husband is an entrepreneur, so he got this process started as he wanted to open a business and felt like Burn Boot Camp was a great opportunity to grow the brand out west. 

Ames: Allison and I became friends through Burn Boot Camp. It provided us another community to be part of in Charlotte. When I go back to Charlotte, many of the friends I see are people from Burn Boot Camp. Since we know what it is like to be part of the Burn Boot Camp community, we are looking forward to providing that experience to our future members in Oceanside and the surrounding communities. 

1851: Why is Oceanside, CA a good fit for Burn Boot Camp? 

Ames: Oceanside is a big military community with Camp Pendleton being right up the road. There are many military wives that have husbands overseas. Many of these women are constantly on the move and just want a sense of community and belonging. It will be a great way for them to develop friendships in the community just like my experience with Erica. It is also great that we provide complimentary child care at our locations. Both of our support trainers come from military families so it will be nice to have that connection with future members.   

1851: Do you have plans to open more locations?

Bradley: 110 percent. Our goal is to open more locations, preferably in North San Diego, but right now the main focus is getting our first location up and running and seeing membership increase. 

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Matt Puttin

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Matt Puttin

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Matt Puttin is an Account Executive at No Limit Agency. He is a graduate from the Journalism School at the University of Missouri and emphasized in strategic communication and public relations. Matt is an avid Chicago sports fan and is anxious for the White Sox to make a return to the postseason.