Do you find that locally, there are some women that everyone knows? In a really good way. Let me introduce you to Laura Spurr. I moved to Bishop’s Stortford last year and kept coming across her name. In my Facebook group, Women Who Thrive In Business, there was one woman helping everyone out, offering advice and generally being fantastic support to fellow women in business.
Then, one Monday after school, at the local swimming club, in a crazily busy communal changing room, frantically trying to get my two boys ready for their first swimming lesson in a new venue, I heard “Are you Sam Dixon?”. Sitting up, alarmed who may know me in this brand new town I’d just moved to! It was Laura! I was thankful for the friendly face and since then our paths continue to pass, our mutual support is appreciated and I’ve personally spent time helping Laura with all things marketing!
Laura is the founder of LSFitness and helps busy professional mums discover how amazing they can feel every day when they make some small but meaningful changes to their lifestyle.
Bringing together first-class fitness programmes, flexible family-friendly nutrition, VIP accountability groups and coaching into one amazing value package I give you ALL the tools you need to implement these changes and achieve, and often exceed, your health and fitness goals. She takes a holistic approach to coaching, so her priority is helping women take care of themselves so that they can show up in the world the best possible version every day, mentally AND physically strong.
So, what made you decide to set-up your own business?
Ah so this is not my first business…. A few years ago I decided to retrain as a Personal Trainer for many reasons but mainly because I have a real passion for helping people discover how amazing you can feel every day when your daily routine is working for you and you have all the energy in the world to not only get through the day, but fly through the day with a bounce in your step.
However, despite having set up a very successful PT business, I felt like a part of what I wanted people to feel was missing. Clients would come and smash their PT session but then it would be in most cases another week until I saw them again. They may or may not train in-between, many of them didn’t pay me for nutritional advice, because let’s be honest its not cheap to pay for both PT and nutrition, and if they had to cancel sessions because well life happens they would miss out on their training.
I knew to feel as amazing as I wanted them to that my clients needed the whole package, quick and effective workouts they could do at a time to suit them, health focused family friendly nutrition, but more than that I wanted to offer them support and accountability to help them achieve their goals. Oh, and for a reasonable price point! So I took the plunge to sign up with an MLM and go into the online fitness market and have never looked back.
And what does being a business owner means to you and why you set up in the first place?
It means the world to me! I am realising my dream of being a holistic coach which is something I feel so passionate about. It has literally lit me up from the inside out. Every day I jump out of bed at 5.30am eager to face the day. My mood, my mindset and my feelings of personal accomplishment are so different from what they used to be. I help people feel better, physically and mentally, the satisfaction I get from those personal messages telling me I have made a difference to a clients day, month, life, that’s priceless.
Plus on a more practical note for the first time in my life I get to call the shots on how things are done and I get to decide when and where I work. As a mum I get to do the school runs, I get to go to assemblies/concerts/clubs, I get to be around for homework support which my eldest has needed a lot and I get to be at home for bedtimes. These may sound like little things but for a few years I left the house before the kids were up and I got home to put them to collect them and put them to bed, usually with a lot of rush and often shouting involved and its so different now which means a lot to me.
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
Honestly, my upline. I heard him speak at a UK launch event for the Company and I was blown away. He and his wife are two of the most amazing people I know. They have their struggles and challenges like any family do but they are some of the most positive and supportive people you could meet. Jamie Fitzpatrick my upline changed his health and his life around using the programmes we use with clients today and he has built a six-figure business from sharing his passion and helping others.
I have also been massively inspired by other women in business who have a passion for what they do and work so hard to make their dreams a reality. I have been humbled by the generosity of some of these ladies to share their journeys and help me/others on their paths and try to pay that forward now myself where I can.
What is the best thing for you about being your own boss and running your own business?
See above – Oh and freedom for lunch or coffee dates!
What practical advice would you give to anyone about to start, or in the early stages of owning a business?
Change is hard and nerve-wracking at first, messy and overwhelming in the middle, but so worth it in the long run.
Oh and know your areas of expertise, what you are good at and know when to ask for help or support. Networking is one of the best things I have done to help with this as I know I have the contacts to help me when I need them.
What advice would you give to women in business? From your area of expertise or in general.
Take care of yourself first, your business will only benefit! One of my favourite sayings is you can’t pour from an empty cup and it’s so true. The expectation we put on ourselves as women and as mothers is immense and if you try to run on full throttle all the time without leaving time to take care of you something will likely give. And I can say from both personal and professional experience if you don’t have your health, nothing else really matters.
What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve been given in business?
Stop saying yes to sh*t you hate! I used to be awful at saying no. But I realised by saying yes to everything I was compromising the things that I value the most, my health and wellness, my time with the family and my business.
Take time to identify what’s truly important to you in your life and make decisions based on these core values. I am not saying don’t ever do things you aren’t gushing over your involvement in, for example school events, sport matches, kids clubs etc far from it as these things obviously need support to happen but be aware of all your commitments and leave time for the stuff that’s important to you.
What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?
Facebook and Instagram have been great tools for marketing my business. I have made so many connections from these social media platforms that have allowed me to build relationships with people and share my journey with them which has really driven my business forward.
Customer transformations – their pictures and their feedback to accompany. Before and afters are massive in my industry because as much as the journey goes far beyond the physical for me as a coach, it’s the physical image that gets people to stop their scroll.
Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?
I love an app! As I am big on social media I have all of the following to help me with my posts, especially instastories:
- Planoly – scheduling tool
- Snapseed – filters
- Unfold – great to make a series for instastories
- Word swag – makes my quotes
- Cut story – edits films to relevant length for posting on different media
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
“Be as fearless as the women whose journeys you have applauded”
Thank you so much, Laura, for taking time out of your busy day to share more about you, your business and your own tips on succeeding in business. We wish you well with all your forthcoming plans.
You can find out more about Laura here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LSpurrFitness/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura_spurr_pt
Website: www.lsfitnessonline.com
I’m Sam Dixon, founder of Thrive In Business – an experienced Marketing Coach & Consultant to ambitious businesswomen who want to launch, grow and scale their business with flexible marketing support. For a free 30 minute discovery call get in touch by email hello@thrivewithsam.com
And if you’re looking for the support of like-minded women, come and join the conversation on my Facebook group Women Who Thrive in Business