Chris Kidd, Financial Coach and Contributor on the Price of Business on Business Talk 1110 AM KTEK (on Bloomberg’s home in Houston) recently interviewed former NFL player, Jordan Black. Jordan owns Snap Fitness in Missouri City, TX, and Advanced Mirror Solutions, LLC.
Have you always had an entrepreneurial spirit or when did you start thinking that way?
I have always wanted to be my own boss. It is my opinion that the “American Dream” and an “Entrepreneurial Spirit” are one and the same. A single job interview in the summer of 2011 solidified this in my mind. I had experienced being yelled at and told what to do on the football field for long enough. During that interview it was clear that I wanted to create and build something of my own.
Right now you have two companies, Snap Fitness and Advanced Mirror Solutions. Tell me about Snap Fitness and what attracted you to that business.
I’ve had the privilege of working with the best strength and conditioning coaches and nutritionists in the business. I have learned so much from them the last 15 years. Fitness is a passion of mine. I enjoy teaching and coaching and take great satisfaction in helping someone become the best version of themselves. Snap gave me the freedom to implement my own program and run my business how I wanted. It was a natural fit.
What would you say differentiates your gym from others?
I want to treat each and every customer like family and customize their gym experience to fit their personal needs. We offer more specialized training in our neighborhood gym than any big box gym. Try walking into a big box gym and asking for a powerlifting coach. We offer everything, from yoga to powerlifting, bootcamps, yoga or specialized athletic performance training. Whether you are young or elderly, Snap Fitness-Missouri City is for everyone.
Your other business, Advanced Mirror Solutions, how did that one come about?
While outfitting my club I stumbled across a glassless mirror that offered better reflectivity than glass…it was also shatterproof. Within three days I became a distributor and formed Advanced Mirror Solutions, LLC. I figured, since the mirrors were shatterproof we could provide a new revenue stream for Snap Corporate because our mirrors can be shipped globally without the possibility of breakage. Within a month we have signed on with two international companies and one nationally, to be their exclusive mirror providers.
What are some of the challenges and opportunities that you see for Advanced Mirror Solutions?
Challenges…None. The opportunities look promising. We are hoping to be the mirror providers for all 150 Snap locations soon to open in Australia. These mirrors also have many architectural applications and we are working diligently to get our foot in the door of that sector.
What lessons have you learned, either during your NFL career or business career, that help you in your businesses?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned has simply come from observation. I’ve known many people who have had great ideas but lacked the initiative to capitalize on it. I will always look for opportunities and when I find one I’m going to jump on it. Football has given me a fighters mentality, I will never quit!
Contact information:
website: www.advancedmirrors.com
website: www.snapfitness.com/missouricity
email: missouricity@snapfitness.com
H7746 HWY 6, Suite M 6
Missouri City, TX 77459
phone: 281-971-3505
