Right About Now - Legendary Business Advice - Radical Podcast - Ryan sits down with Kory Keefer

Episode Date: January 15, 2019

A lot of inspiration and value from this episode as Ryan sits down with CORE24 gym creator and owner, Kory Keefer. Ryan and Kory talk about brand building, the impact of culture on gyms, and some of the ups and downs of growing a business. Learn more at Radical.Company or follow @radical_results on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, join Ryan’s newsletter https://ryanalford.com/newsletter/ to get Ferrari level advice daily for FREE.  Learn how to build a 7 figure business from your personal brand by signing up for a FREE introduction to personal branding https://ryanalford.com/personalbranding.  Learn more by visiting our website at www.ryanisright.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel  www.youtube.com/@RightAboutNowwithRyanAlford. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

All my rules begin to how. Wake me up the time is now. Can you hear the drumming? Let the revolution come in. Hey guys. It's Ryan Alford, host of the Radical Company podcast. It is podcast Friday here at Radical. You don't know what Friday it is, though,

because depending on when you're listening to this, you never know what Friday that might be. So we'll keep the suspense there. But I'm really excited to be joined today by Corey Kee. Kiefer, a local gym owner here in Greenville, have a couple of gyms in their family that they run. And Corey's someone I've really been watching in the Greenville market, doing a lot of things culturally with both music, the gym, art, a lot of things.

But Corey, man, really excited to have you on the podcast. Yeah, awesome to be here. I love coming in and let's disrupt some stuff and have some fun. Exactly, yeah. So yeah, I'm a member at Corps. It's easily, and I don't mind saying this, even with clients and other people listening to Best Gym in Greenville, just really fits my vibe personally. But killer equipment, killer vibe, killer cultural.

It's just, it's the first gym, I think, in Greenville that really kind of captured the spirit that I was looking for in a gym. So kudos to you. I know you've worked hard on that. but really excited about the gym culture there. Yeah, and that was like, you know, the biggest thing is when you walk down the stairs, we want to punch in the face with that, like, different years where like it's something different automatically, like where it just looks and feels like you know it's not a standard corporate gym. And that was like the biggest thing.

I was like walking down the stairs, you just welcome to our world where it's not going to be anything that you're used to. And yeah, that's kind of where it started. Well, you definitely got that going. But let's start, man. I'd love to, you know, for our listeners to kind of give your background, you know, like the history with the gym, like what led you, I know you guys started in Seneca, I think, at first gym, but maybe just do a little synopsis of kind of your background and what led to today. Yeah, yeah, so a quick rundown. I went to college of Charleston, which is a fun, too much of a fun school sometimes.

Part of school. Excuse me. So I graduate with a major, but, I mean, I. I didn't know what the hell I was doing there. I mean, I was just partying and keeping a good enough grade to stay in school, you know? So graduated there, and I was like, I don't know what the hell I want to do. So I just booked a trip to London and, like, backpacked Europe for like six months. I was like, I just like got to get out of this bubble because it's easy to get stuck in that bubble and like the food and bev and just like whatever.

And kind of was just like finding myself slash just like, let me just see what I can do by myself. And I always had that like entrepreneurial spirit. And then my parents, my dad's a pilot, my mom's the entrepreneur. We know we're behind everything, started the original gym probably like 14 years ago, I guess. Yeah. And my dad just wanted a 24-hour gym because he has weird hours flying. So they started a small one, and my mom pretty much did the whole thing, ran it, and it grew from like just a small thing to like an actual gym, like business.

And then that was for a handful of years, like when I was in high school. And I messed around with it, but it wasn't anything that I was like, want to do because, you know, I want to do my own thing. Yeah. Anti-whatever. if my dad says anything, no matter what it is, even if it's right, I'm just like, fuck you, I want to do my own thing. And then I'll come back to it when it's my own thought or my own thing. They're like, okay, yeah. So they ran it awesome.

And then they just, they had some management that just kind of plateaued for a while. And then they were, you know, talking about selling it and just like, you know, too much. Like, it's more than what they wanted because my dad's, you know, still doing a pilot. And I was like, I want to do something else. I'm tired of this shit that she's doing all the time because it wasn't really like growing at that time. And that was kind of when I was coming back from Europe and I was like, all right, have this, you know, desiring to me to start something. Let me figure out if I can just jump into it.

Worst case scenario, I just like fuck it up and like you sell it anyways. So I just like kind of like started just like cleaning the gym. I was just like, I'm just going to make this gym look fucking immaculate and just like cleaning it. And then it was just like, all right, let me see if I can start working with like the management and see if I can get people just like excited to come to work. So I was just like doing small things and was able to kind of grow the gym the first year. It was like 25%, then it was like 50 and then 70. It was just like a startup. So we grew within like the first like year, there's almost like 300%.

And then we was able to expand that in three locations in the Cynic area. And then we're in the one that we're in now, which is a 14,000 square foot gym. We bought the building. It's awesome. And came to a point where we're like, okay, I don't need to be there every day to like run this show. So let's like look at an actual city. And Greenville, you know, made it. the most sense from, you know, Seneca, Clemson area, and happening somewhere across this,

the building we're in now, which was a shit hole when we got it. I was like, when we first, when the landlord first showed you, I was like, there's no way I'm ever touching this gym. Like, it's horrible. And then kind of like, you know, I was like, okay, maybe this is something that, you know, if we just strip it down to like the bareman walls. Yeah, exactly. Maybe we can work with this. And so that kind of came above. And then I had like, I guess some of these ideas. that I was trying in Seneca. And Seneca is an interesting market.

I love Seneca, but you have like an older demographic. You have like high schools and you have Clemson College, but it's not necessarily in Seneca. So I was trying all these like marketing things and some of them were working. I was like I really feel like there's like something that could be bigger. So I want to try it in like a city where there is the population is a little more dense. And let me figure out something with it. So that's, you know, when Greenville came about. And then, yeah, kind of started with this idea.

And I guess the brainchild behind it was, I was sitting around with some of my friends. I was like, look, where do we hang out with people outside of the bars? Or where do we meet people outside the bars? And no one can come up with an answer. It's like, we watch the football games where we go out. It's all like sitting around like bars or clubs. Like really hang out with like people or meet people outside of that. And I was like, okay, so if we move to a new city, how do you meet someone?

And, you know, like you can do these like lame-ass meetup groups and shit like that. maybe go to the bar by yourself, but that's kind of weird. So I was like, okay, it's not weird to go to the gym by yourself. And if the atmosphere is, I guess, more energetic, it's easy to meet people. And if there's a lot of younger people in there or just like cool entrepreneurs, young professionals, they can be a place where you can like meet and interact and have an environment that you enjoy going to that you wake up sore instead of waking up with a hangover. But it kind of that same like idea behind going out.

because you go out to like meet people to dance to have a good time and like drinking is a byproduct of that. Well, why can't we just do that in a gym setting where everyone knows that working out and eating healthy is good for you. Yet so little people do it. And everyone knows that like drinking and going out is bad for you. But like no one misses going out like on a big night or a Saturday night with your boys or your girls. So I was like instead of preaching to everyone of like you should work out because it's good for you. I was like, let me just create an environment that is more enjoyable to come to, and then, you know, it makes working out easier. If you just like come to the environment and it's just like more of an atmosphere and a vibe, it's easier to work out because you're just like coming to the space in general and it's a place to hang out, a place to, you know, meet people. But, I mean, at the end of the day, obviously a place to work out.

But, you know, everyone knows that. Like, everyone knows working out. It's just like, I could ask a homeless guy on the street, like, yo, if you worked out, is that good for you? And he'd like, yeah. You know, I mean, he knows that. Like, is this drinking this beer every day bad for you? Like, yeah, I know. It's like, so everyone knows it.

It's just like, no one wants to do it. You know, so instead of, I would try, I guess, take the psychology behind it a little bit and just create a space that, you know, I guess brought that out. Yeah, I love that. And, you know, go figure. It's like, I think, of course there's people like, once it becomes a lifestyle, you enjoy going to the gym, but there's always somewhat of the chore of doing it. And if you can bring it and make it somewhere that's more in line with,

with the things that people are interested in, whether it's the music, whether it's the look, whether it's the vibe, the people, the culture. I mean, what a concept. I mean, you know, it's good, in some ways like, what I'm sure maybe, you know, even I lived in New York for five years. I didn't walk into a gym ever

that looked and felt like core. Yeah. And I mean, it was like, yeah, there were like some, there's some energetic music going on here, but it still felt very corporate. Yeah. It was still like,

and I think there's something there, but I'd love for you to talk maybe about your cultural inspirations, and, you know, there's tons of art, you know, your own art that you've done in the gym, but maybe talk about the inspirations for the culture vibe that's at core. Yeah, yeah. So I guess one is, I just kind of grew up, I guess, being a rebel. Like, you know, just I always played in the gray area.

So I never was like a hardcore like troublemaker, but always if there's rules, I'm going to try to play around them. So like I'm a rebel at heart. So if you tell me, don't press that button, probably going to, you know, I'm going to like figure out a way around, you know, that somehow. So, you know, I was just going, like you said, everything felt so corporate. And they're afraid to be edgy and they're afraid to like rebel against that. And, you know, rebel, I guess maybe gets a bad word, but like kind of just rebel to be like yourself, like not in a to like show your true self and I guess the culture behind is like you know music and the art

and you know tying into fitnesses those things you don't have to speak the same language as someone to be able to connect over a song or music you don't have to speak or even be in the same like cultural barrier as like an art piece and you can you know it kind of transcends cultural barriers those things and like fitness as well you can see someone that has cool style and you can connect with them and I even know who they are and that I would wanted to bring into like the fitness world and I was like you know a big thing of of the music of of just like I don't know being edgiest like I feel like there was like a burning desire for people to like be like okay yeah this music is going to cuss we're going to have beer on tap like if that offends

you then we're not for you and too many gyms or just too many places that we're just trying to appeal to everyone and like you're just trying to bring the prom queen or whatever and just like everyone's going to like you and that sounds good at first and on paper but then no one really likes you. You know, everyone's just kind of like, well, I don't really like him

and I don't really like hate them. But I want to like, okay, it's okay if I piss people off. I don't want to have everyone here, but I want to have like the select group of people that like truly believe in like our style. And like if we have that,

then we'll be able to like breed a better culture. And like like true fans, true customers, true like people that are like are a part of it and like more of less than like just, you know, members, I guess.

Yeah. But yeah, the art, I mean, I'm not an artist, but that's kind of something I did in middle school, maybe, and then, like, never did it besides that. And then started throwing paint on the walls. And my buddy was like, oh, it's kind of cool. And kind of a release of doing business at, like, 4 in the morning.

I can do some, like, artwork. But I guess it's bringing some, like, L.A. vibes. Some Miami, New York style kind of all together, some underground, like, music culture. And, like, I grew up and just listening to hip-hop. Like, that was all my shit was ever just, just, like, hip-hop. stuff. My mom used to like find the CDs with the printable advisory and like, throw them away. She's like, you can't be listening to this trash. And I'd be still my dad's like Dr. Dre, like albums and stuff like that. So, you know, that's part of like the, it's like some hip-hop culture

into it and just like hype stuff and just, I guess not necessarily mainstream is what we're at, you know, more of that underground vibe. Yeah. But yeah, just like, I guess not afraid to be authentic. And when you walk in there, you're getting a piece of meat. And I was like, It's just like, that's it. So you're able to, like, see inside my mind a little bit and, like, I guess, connect with me in a real way that I'm not afraid to show, I guess. Yeah. You know, I love that transparency. And I think, you know, I think it's moving towards that gradually where people are getting more comfortable kind of being their authentic self.

But at the same time, it's still such a rarity, I think, with everyone's kind of following the herd. and, you know, and especially with corporate businesses and things like that, they are, I understand the PC side of things and like, you know, having to tow that line, especially if you want to have, you know, 500 locations and like, you know, have the 99 model. But I think you're really on to something with really carving out a look, a feel, and a culture that matches the energy and the, it almost, it creates community. Yeah. I think if that's the word I kind of come back to when I think about what Core's doing versus other gems. And I've been a fitness guy my whole adult life. And like I've been members probably even living in Greenville and New York, whatever, probably 50 gyms, you know. But there's a community with Core that I think that you've really struck a nerve with that's just growing.

Yeah. And so I commend you for that. is, you know, you talked about your parents. I think interesting with thinking about, you know, pleasing your parents. Like, how often do they come into core? And, like, do they, what do they think of, like, where it's landed? So my mom, my mom's a saint, by the way. And so she's such a sweetheart.

So she's always like, this music's too loud. She's like, did they just say the F word? I'm like, yeah, mom, but, like, that's okay. Like, she always, like, you need to turn this down. I'm like, all right, what do you want to play? She's, like, puts him, like, country on or something like that. So, you know, they, at first, they, like, were anti everything. They're like, I don't get this.

This doesn't make sense. And then they kind of like started seeing, I guess, the true, like the path behind it. And it was like working. And they're like, okay. So they're, you know, gradually coming on board with, I guess, the ideas behind it. But, you know, they don't interject on too many things. I mean, they'll say they're two cents. And, you know, it grounds me in some sense of just like seeing that perspective.

But, you know, we're not, I'm not targeting that. age demographic necessarily, you know, like if, if I was, then it would kind of make us, you know, every gym. And that's what it goes back to is like, we have to have a competitive advantage on these corporate gyms. I mean, you got these giants out there of gold or these anytime, these planet fitnesses. And I'm not going to beat them at being goals.

I'm not going to beat planet fitness at being planet fitness, you know? So it's like, okay, where do I have a competitive advantage at? They're like a 747 bowen jet. They can't just make a U-turn really quick. if they want to change their corporate structure, it's going to be a slow process. I can move very quickly, and I can make something that has edge to it that they can't.

They can't play music like that. Their corporate would have a heyday, HR would be getting calls left and right. I can do that, though. So it's like, okay, I can have something that, you know, can appeal to that younger demographic or just someone. When I say younger demographic, it's more of a mindset. I don't, it's not an age necessarily.

You know, you have to be 18 and up to get in the gym. But other than that, it's like, I don't care how old you are. It's more of the mindset that you, you know, you can be, you know, an 80 year old. But if you are cool with that and you just want to have that environment, then yeah, that's awesome. You know, our ages are younger or in that, you know, 25 to 35 year old demographic, but, you know, it doesn't have to be. You know, it's more of just a mindset that we're going after. But yeah, I mean, that's like where we can grow more is just like creating a niche. And it's hard because everyone's, you know, at first you're looking at, you know,

you know, P&Ls and everything. You're like, okay, if I do classes, if I do this, I can have so much broader network of people that we can appeal to. And maybe at first you can get them as customers, but then you'll start losing, you know, the true people of like, okay, well, the music's too loud, so we'll turn it down. And then people are like, well, that's what I came here for. Then you lose them.

And then you try to, you know, so you wouldn't have a core group of people. And then you try to like brand loyalty off price. And that never wore. You can never brand loyalty on price. than you're a gas station, you know, like no one does that. So, you know, trying to have like true customers that, you know, like Apple. Apple could come up with an iPhone generation, whatever, that nothing changes, which they pretty much do. And a million people are going to buy it.

It could be $3,000 the next one. And the camera's going to be one pixel better and everyone's going to buy it. Because it doesn't matter what Apple does. They have branded that. And it's okay if you don't like Apple products, they're not for you, you know? But it's that mindset behind it. You don't go to Soul Cycle for a power lifter. They don't try to appeal to power lifters, but they appealed to that certain demographic, and they exploded.

And, you know, they did amazing. So it's, you know, it's just that, which is almost like reverse engineering of what you want to, you know, have from there originally. I love that. And where does your, you know, you're a young guy. I mean, compared to this old one across the table. I don't feel but you know you've got a business acumen

that I really respect and where does that you know you strike me like me I wasn't a straight A student by far I never was I was not in Clemson I wasn't in high school like I don't even know what my GPA is

I'm going to announce that on the podcast but you know but I always had a business but what I really respect about what you've done and like listening to you talk talk more and as we've gotten to know each other, there's a business acumen about you and an understanding of branding and business. And, you know, I hear you talk. Where does that, is that just innate? I mean, like, where does that come from? Yeah, so I didn't really take that many business

courses in colleges. I was a communication major because all the hot chicks were in communication classes. Literally. Sorry, mom and dad. That's pretty much what it was. Like, just calling it straight up. I mean, I took a couple, like, entrepreneur classes, but I, like said, my mom's the entrepreneur. She's, like, build businesses and stuff. And I think that wasn't like subconsciously and still when I was younger. And I guess, yeah, it just comes from that and just I'm good at taking myself out of a situation and the emotions out of a situation and be able to look at it from like a customer's scenario.

And I think that helps of like I'm attached obviously to the gym, but I can see if it's not working properly or if there's something that like is just my perspective, you know. So I think that helps a lot. where I'm like, okay, if I was to walk in here, if I was someone off the street or if I was, you know, just a random person, how would I feel, how would it look, how would I like this? And I try to do that more often

so that I don't get caught up and just like this narrow-minded, it's all-emotion stuff, you know, where I think my, I guess it's my upbringing maybe, you know, I honestly don't know. And I'm not going to claim that I know shit, honestly, because I just kind of shoot from the hip And, you know, at halftime, I review the playbook and see what's working and what's not. And like, okay, well, this really didn't work.

Let's try this. I'm not the most structured person either. It's kind of controlled chaos. And, you know, and I know that. And I probably need to hire something that's a little more structured to help me in that aspect. But I don't try to, you know, be something I'm not or try to act like I know things that I don't. I'm always trying to learn, too. I think a point in college, it's probably like my senior year when I really, when I

really was like, what the hell am I going to do after this? Because I just thought, like, I'm really good at, like, meeting people and, like, just having connections with people. But I met, it was Tommy Baker, I believe his name. He's a big, big name down in Charleston. And I met with him for Brunch. I got a meeting with him. And he was like, what, he just, like, straight up, he was like, what value are going to add to me? And this was, like, a senior year. And I was, because I was trying to, like, work for him. And at the time, I had nothing to say. I was like, shit. That's a tough one. And I literally, that conversation pretty much ended. Like literally, it was just like nothing.

And he was like, because, I mean, that's pretty, and I was like, oh, shit. So like when it hit me that, I was like, okay, what value could I? I mean, at that point I had nothing. I was like, I mean, but I didn't really have anything. So I was like, all right, let me just start reading books or just, I'm a slow reader. So I started listening to books more or less and I could like do other things. So I think that kind of just jump started a mindset of like kind of piss me off for,

for greatness or success if you want to because I was around affluent. people but I was on their like coat tails you know like yeah and then I was like meeting these people and I was like okay you're not smarter than me necessarily you just were able to do it and you're not like an esoteric figure that you know no one can touch and I was like all right like I guess it's like something switched I was like all right I'm going to figure this out like yeah it's just a process like systems and processes it's just let me just do it I don't want to look back at myself and be like damn like what the fuck was I doing? You know, like, or like go to my kids like, you know, elementary school thing.

I was like, oh, my dad's a loser, you know? Like, you know, I want to be like the fucking man, you know? So I was like, all right. So I think that maybe just like help me like, okay. And not afraid to like fuck up. I think that's a big thing too. And that's what my parents, they were, they allowed me to try so many things. I was a skateboarder, all this stuff.

Like did DJ stuff in college. And I like wasn't afraid to try things and see what I like. and like fail on some things too, you know, because you just got to hit one home run with it, you know, and just making that like next thing. Okay, all right, it's a failure, but not necessarily, you know, it could be a money failure, but it was expensive failure, you know, expensive lesson. You learn from it. It's not a failure.

Exactly. You know, so I think I was just like, okay, fuck it. Like if I lose all my money, if I do this or whatever, worst case scenario, like, I can call mom and dad and sleep on their couch. Like, worst case scenario. I mean, I wouldn't be, my pride would definitely take, you know, a huge. hit, but whatever, you know, like, if that happens. So I think that, I was just like, okay, I'm going to figure this out.

And I think that's just kind of where it, like, led me to do it. And not playing by the books, honestly. I was like, I didn't read business books because I didn't want to play, like, how businesses are doing. I was like, you know, I want to kind of set my own, like, I guess, parameters of what we're doing. Yeah, you didn't read them. And I haven't read that many, but I've been in it long enough to know, though,

that you've got a sense about you that, you know, I think you, have kind of adjusted, but I see what you're doing with the marketing and like your vision with like some of the content and all that. Like, and the understanding branding. Like even the concept, you know, I talk with a lot of people, clients and been at this marketing a long time. Yeah. And not everyone, it's not a just an, it's an acquired, either acquired or an innate ability to kind of understand the power of brand. Yeah. You know, because a lot of people, you know, they want to sell, sell more stuff, but they don't understand what gives something it's worth, its value. Yeah, I know this water bottle is worth whatever, but, you know, it's a Fiji water bottle,

and I pay $3 for it instead of 99 cents for the, you know, like, and that's not just a given, you know, so I've really respected that from you. Yeah. And that was something that I was like, when I was younger, I always had like, I don't know, a sense of a cool or like I was always trying to be on the trends of stuff. And my sister was older, so I was taking. in styles that her and her friends were doing. I was always trying to be on like the, I guess, the front end of what was wearing that was

cool. I was afraid to be a little different. And, you know, it was like, I think it was like when the first time I, like, found it what, like, Louis Vuitton was. And I was like, shit, that's like, or, no, it was, it was, it was Louis Vuitton and then Air Mess. I was at, like, a shop where we were traveling younger. And I picked up a shirt and it was like $1,400.

And I was like, this shirt looks, I didn't know the brand at the time. I mean, I was like, I was like, mom, like, why is this, like, $1,400? It looked like a regular shirt to me. and she like pointed the logo and I was like and I was like what so you just literally it could be a regular pretty much the same shirt same shit maybe a little better you know but you know put the LV or you put the air mask something on it and it's you know a thousand percent profit margin on that you know like that and that goes back to the brand that brand is like was made that you know more something where is a feeling and that's what I won't people when they think about core when they

come in there it's a feeling you know it's not just like a lot of logo. It's something that they're like, they can relate to and they're like, I want to put that on my back. Like, I see that and I relate to that. That's a part of me in there too, you know, where, you know, people get Harley Davidson tattoos on them. Like, it's a corporate logo. You're getting tattooed on your chest or whatever. But, you know, it's like they have something to that. Like, I'm a, you know, I'm a ride or die or type of deal, you know, so it's like, that's where I want to invoke a feeling. When you look at our page, I want there to be a feeling behind it rather than just like, oh, it's a gym. You know, I, the, you know, I'm a ride or you. You know, I'm a ride. You know,

Jim thing's almost like secondary to like what I want that community and that like culture to be. And it just happens to be a dope-ass gym. Yeah. I love it. So, um, what's the future hold? You know, like what, you know, what's in your crystal ball and or plans, you know, for other gyms or for core here? I mean, you know, I imagine you've thought about expansion. I think we've even talked about that a little bit.

Yeah. I'm sure you're being careful just to do it. it the right way. Yeah. Talk about, you know, where things are headed. Yeah, so Atlanta, Charlotte's kind of piquing our interest a little bit. I mean, it makes sense for semi-local, keeping it in the area. You still can drive there. It's not that.

I have a really good feeling about Atlanta. I love the culture there. There's a bunch of sports teams. There's a bunch of movies going on. There's a bunch of, like, hip-hop culture there. Just overall, I think that's a great spot to be at. So expansion is all. obviously, like, you know, on the forefront, but I don't want to, you know, run before, you know,

I'm walking right now or whatever. So, I mean, here's just, you know, I'm trying to incorporate technology a little bit more into what we're going to be doing. So I have some, I'm playing around some ideas of what we can, I guess, have with technology embedded into the gym, whether, you know, it's automated front desk stuff, where we have, like, pre-workout on tap and in a different style and just have everything a little bit more like tech-friendly and just like integrating that in somehow. So, you know, obviously I want to innovate with the gym every day, every month.

Like, I want you to walk in there and be something a little different or feel different and build that brand itself. So, I mean, obviously, I need to build the brand more before I really, like, can take it nationwide or anything. But, yeah, I want to expand because I, you know, I feel like, you know, why not? I mean, it's just like, you know, we're doing good here. You know, obviously we can be doing better and we are going to keep growing. but like, you know, really just like, I want to, you know, hit it when I can because we're seeing these places and cities that people are coming to Greenboro. Like, man, I wish there's a gym like this in Houston or, and, you know, Tampa where I live or in Atlanta. And I'm like, is it really not?

And then I, like, travel to some of these places and I'm not really seeing anything that, like, has exactly what we're, you know, like, you know, doing. They're either, like, class-based boutique gyms or these massive lifetime fitness clubs that are 100,000, square feet. foot and people were kind of missing the true gym that's not afraid to be actual gym, you know? Yeah. So, you know, I definitely, you know, if we can get capital right and, you know, the funds, then I guess and the people right too. That's the big thing is, you know, having people in place at all these gyms so that I'm

not having to be there, you know, 18 hours a day sometimes. Hiring people is the hardest thing you do. Yeah. I mean, I mean, I, all the people at all my gyms, that's the only reason why I'm here. I have amazing staff from the Greenville and Seneca. That's the only reason that I'm able to grow. I mean, I give it all to them. And, you know, just being able to keep those guys and girls in place

and just be able to have that where, you know, the trust is there. And, you know, as you know, that's the biggest question mark with businesses is the people behind it because, you know, that technically they're representing the business there. You know, if you get an asshole where they look. good when you're around, but when you're not around, you know, they're dickhead to everyone. They're like, well, that course sucks or, you know, radical sucks just because of one person that could, you know, ruin it for that, you know, group of people or whatever. So you'll, you'll, you'll, I'm sure you're learning this already.

I've hired and, I guess fired, I hate that word, but, you know, had discussions with probably dozens of people, fortunately in my career, but it's hard to get it right every time. I'm blessed to have a great team here, rat, but. too, but you just, you are, they represent you at all times. Yeah. And so that's definitely one of the hardest things. As we close out, I'd love, you know, for people listening and, you know, we definitely have maybe, whether young or old, really, but any advice that you've learned, you know,

now running your own business or for, you know, maybe someone young or like, you know, that are like, I want to be an entrepreneur, I want to grow. Like, I mean, you've, you've accomplished a lot of things and I know you're still growing. and you know you're humble about it but you know any advice that you would throw out there for anyone listening that's thinking about it not necessarily just the gym thing but just business in general yeah i i just like the vice i try to tell myself and anything general is just action that's what makes the difference between winners and losers and recognize there are losers in the world there's winners and those losers and don't be a fucking loser and the differences of people that take

action was whether if you're fit or not you're taking action by going to the gym and working out whether you're, you know, showing up to work, everything, you're taking, it's literally just that, that's to me is, like, the biggest difference maker in the winners and the losers and the people that are successful in the people that, you know, do well, is like, action by calling your mom. Like, just, like, taking those, just,

just doing it, you know? Yeah. And so many people will, like, do things on paper or, like, research, research, and then that paper goes in a binder and never gets open enough, you know. It's like, okay, well, if you know, did half less research and then more action, it could have, you know, flip, you know, the other way around.

So I guess that's the biggest thing. I wish that would have been advice to myself that I would have done in college would have been taking more of those action steps to maybe I could have been in a better position I am now or further ahead. But I think that's just really honestly what makes it. I mean, there's no special formula. Obviously, like hard work and all that shit. But action, that's literally it's just like they've taken that first step just towards

it and then everything else will happen or not. And then, you know, that's on you after that. I love it. Well, I'm definitely going to hold you to speaking at one of the Greenville Hustle. I know Matt's talked to you about that. Yeah, yeah. But I, and, you know, that's, and that's been an interesting venture for us, you know, trying to bring those like-minded people together.

And, you know, there's invariably the doers and the non-doers, you know. And so you kind of got to shake through that. But I'd love for you to come speak at one of those events and, you know, tell this story, you know. And that's one thing that. I've slacked on is like my networking. I'm always really good at that, but like with Open This Gym, I have not been as good as reaching out and like networking or just talking to people and stuff.

So I definitely love to be involved and speak or whatever. I mean, and I like I said, I don't act like I know everything because I definitely don't. I don't know shit, but I'll speak from my own experience and that's what I can do. Yeah, no, man. You got a great story to tell.

You should be proud of everything you've done with Core. I'm proud to be a member, proud to support you and I really appreciate you coming on today. I appreciate you having me. It was awesome. All right, brother. Thanks so much. All right.

Take care. Hey, guys. Really enjoyed today's podcast with Corey Kiefer. If you're in Greenville, you need to get to Core 24. Best Jim in Greenville, bar none. Check out Corey. You can find him on Instagram. All the regular channels, Core 24, GVL.

I believe that's it, isn't it, Corey? And on Instagram and get in there, and I hope to see you. and we'll talk to you next time here on the radical podcast.