Growth Club
1851 Growth Club
Young Ones to Watch: Josh York
GYMGUYZ founder and CEO started company at only 25 with his parents’ dining room as a launchpad.
Josh York is the founder and CEO of GYMGUYZ, a mobile in-home training franchise based out of New York. When he was just 25 years old, he broke ground on his dream of building a fitness business. York started his enterprise with 15 thousand dollars out of his parents’ dining room and has since grown it to six states.
York serves more than 700 clients in the Long Island, New York area and continues to grow his mobile franchise. 1851 spoke with York about his triumphs, challenges and plans for the future.
What have been the biggest challenges you've faced?
The biggest challenge was switching from a trainer to a CEO. Everyone wanted to train and work with me but what I needed to do was grow the business. At the time, I was a trainer and an entrepreneur. I also did administration, marketing and everything else. I knew I had to bring in the right people to make the right decisions.
What has been the most important lesson you've learned?
It’s really that you have to make mistakes to learn. I’ve made tons of them. By making mistakes I know what not to do. In business, you have to be someone who is going to be able to make mistakes, learn from them and fix them. I’ve made basic mistakes, like misspellings on a business card. When I was bringing the vans in to get wrapped, I forgot something on the vehicle. I didn’t have anyone showing me what to do. I’ve taught myself everything. I know how to prioritize, how to budget and delegate and how to work on the business instead of in the business.
What is your primary goal for your career? What do you most want to accomplish?
What I’m going to accomplish is that we will be the largest in-home training franchise. I also want to be able to give back to people that think they can’t make it. I was a horrible student; I won an award for cutting classes. I never studied and just got by. I ended up starting my business with $15,000. I bet my teachers would be surprised at the success of GYMGUYZ. It’s now a multi-million dollar company in six states. I want to be able to let people know it is possible –you just need the drive and the passion.
What has been the accomplishment you’re most proud of so far?
Franchising my business is my greatest accomplishment. I started GYMGUYZ from scratch - and I personally put together the systems and structure that helped turn it into a successful franchise. I’m very humble and proud of the hard work I put in - but I can look back and see that I created something special.
What would your advice be to the next generation of young men and women hoping to make their mark on the business world?
When you believe in something, don’t give up. Don’t listen to the critics - stick with your gut and keep going. My friends and family didn’t think GYMGUYZ was a good idea but in my heart, I knew it would be successful.
