Entrepreneurship or Franchising: What’s the Right Fit for You?

So, you’re ready to dive into the fitness industry? First off, congrats. It’s an exciting world to be in. But now you’re at the ultimate fork in the road: do you build your own brand from the ground up, or do you buy into a franchise?In this episode, Jared Nassiff interviews Rick Mayo, founder of Alloy Personal Training, to explore this topic through Rick’s journey from independent gym owner to franchise owner.Rick shares how he bootstrapped his first fitness business in 1992, scaled it through white-label licensing, and eventually launched Alloy as a franchise with 400 awarded locations and growing.He breaks down the real differences between starting a business from scratch and joining a franchise, from risk and scalability to royalties and emotional grit.💬 Curious which path is right for you? Listen now.Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Mindset differences between entrepreneurs and franchisees (05:28)Advantages and disadvantages of independent businesses (09:36)Building a successful franchise (17:11)Final thoughts and advice (25:43)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Rick Mayo shares his journey from a college side hustle to building one of the most respected personal training franchise brands in the country.Starting in 1992 with a single location, Rick revolutionized small group personal training and scaled globally before launching Alloy as a full franchise in 2019.He opens up about the challenges of transitioning from licensing to franchising, how leadership and data drive success, and the critical role strength training plays in adult longevity and well-being.He also talks about franchise scalability, team-building, and the rising demand for strength-based fitness as a counterbalance to aging and modern stress. Tune in!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Transition to small group training (04:53)Scaling and licensing (11:28)Franchising and global expansion (13:22)Impact of Alloy Personal Training (29:11)How Rick stays grounded while scaling rapidly (39:46)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Rick sits down with the number one facility operator and multiunit Alloy franchisee, Nick Garrity, to discuss his secrets to successfully scaling to multiple facilities.With a deep entrepreneurial background in stretching studios, saunas, and golf performance, Nick explains why consistency, trust, and communication are the real currency of successful fitness operations.He dives into the systems he uses to keep staff engaged (including profit sharing), how he evaluates struggling locations for turnaround, and what franchisees need to know about absentee vs. active ownership.Nick shows how small, repeatable actions create massive compounding success.If you’re building or scaling a fitness business, this episode is your playbook.🎧 Tune in!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Nick's background and journey (02:05)Transition to Alloy and franchising (03:22)Alloy franchise and business strategy (05:41)Keys to success in multi-unit ownership (08:33)Challenges and opportunities in franchise management (22:54)Impact on clients and community (27:40)Future goals and vision (28:45)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Rick Mayo introduces Alloy's very own Rosheika Strachan, the team’s new internal communications lead.With a background in journalism, public relations, and sports management, Rosheika brings a wealth of expertise in shaping internal communications.Her mission is to make sure Alloy’s franchisees have all the resources they need, and they know how to use them, when to use them, and why they matter.Rick and Rosheika also discuss how data can inform communication strategy and the role of storytelling in building engagement.🎧 Hit play and get the inside scoop on how Rosheika is driving the Alloy internal communications strategy.Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Rosheika's role and background (02:13)Challenges and strategies in internal communication (05:21)Importance of consistent and effective communication (10:24)Measuring success and future goals (14:26)Cultural exchange: traditional Jamaican dishes (17:54)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Matt explains the "dos and don'ts" of phone sales. They discuss the uncomfortable world of phone sales and turn it into something approachable and even enjoyable for gym owners and fitness professionals.Matt brings tactics from the field, while Rick offers frameworks that turn conversations into conversions. They discuss how to handle price objections and why you should never sell the braces but always sell the smile.You’ll also hear about common phone pitfalls and why enthusiasm and conviction matter more than fancy scripts.Don’t miss this one if you want to turn more leads into clients and change more lives in the process. Tune in now!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Thanksgiving greetings and dad jokes (00:36)The importance of understanding customer needs (01:27)Common sales mistakes and solutions (04:34)Controlling the conversation and handling objections (11:28)Building rapport and staying on-topic (14:41)Uncovering customer problems and pain points (17:30)Presenting solutions and taking action (22:56)Maintaining enthusiasm and professionalism (27:54)Final thoughts and encouragement (29:19)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this milestone episode, Rick Mayo and Matt Helland reflect on 34 years in business, diving into the deep waters of growth, leadership, and transformation.Rick and Matt explain why franchising is an entirely different beast from running a gym and how most people don’t realize that jumping into franchising means starting a brand-new business.They discuss how leadership requires evolving your identity, killing the “old you,” and embracing the discomfort of growth. They also share their own struggles with letting go, the importance of staying teachable, and why consistency trumps motivation every time.This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to scale their business with integrity.🎧 Tune in to hear why franchising isn’t what you think—and how to thrive when everything changes.Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Every business is a brand-new business (02:48)Franchising is not the same as gym ownership (05:33)Be teachable and seek outside help (07:26)Audit your tech stack regularly (10:36)“What got you here won’t get you there” (12:14)Letting go of old identity is hard but necessary (17:28)Franchisees borrow Alloy’s business model and mindset (22:43)99% of your problems are your own doing (28:24)Consistency beats motivation (36:35)Don’t hire based on potential—hire for now (38:33)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

One of the biggest challenges in running a fitness business is finding and retaining top talent. It’s a persistent problem that many gym owners and fitness franchisees grapple with.In this episode, Rick speaks with William Coker, president of FIBR, a fitness talent recruiting firm. FIBR is a new addition to the Alloy vendor suite, and we are excited about the alignment.William brings years of industry experience, having worked in leadership roles at 24 Hour Fitness and Crunch, where he oversaw personal training, education, and recruitment.FIBR has revolutionized recruitment with its massive database of over 5 million fitness professionals who are sourced from industry certifications, colleges, and even military programs.By using this proprietary database, FIBR offers an innovative solution that bypasses traditional job boards, offering lower costs and a more effective hiring process for fitness operators.Rick and William also discuss strategies for attracting and retaining Gen Z talent, who prefer fast hiring and slow training. And also leadership and compensation tactics that can help retain your team long-term.Tune in now to learn how FIBR can transform your recruitment strategy.Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)William Coker's background in fitness leadership (02:34)Introduction to FIBR and its unique approach (06:12)The importance of proactive recruitment over passive job ads (09:58)How FIBR’s proprietary database helps employers find candidates (14:38)Strategies to attract and retain Gen Z talent (17:07)The shift from transactional to relational leadership for retention (23:46)Importance of updating compensation and incentive structures (26:53)The value of building relationships with employees for long-term success (30:02)How to contact William Coker and FIBR (33:27)Additional Resources:FIBR: https://fibr.fit/William Coker’s email: [email protected]—- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Franchise ownership sounds like freedom, but most owners learn the hard way. Passivity doesn’t pay unless you earn it.In this episode, Rick Mayo sits down with Erik Van Horn, veteran franchisee, franchisor, investor, and founder of Front Street Equity Partners.With decades of experience across all sides of the franchise table, Erik unpacks what it really takes to thrive in franchising.They explore the true meaning of “semi-absentee” ownership, why early-stage franchisees need a pioneer mindset, and how building strong operating partnerships is key to scale.Erik also shares his personal entrepreneurial journey from a college grad avoiding construction to running dozens of franchise units and advisory businesses.They also touch on advisory masterminds, the importance of being teachable, and the hidden cost of cheap leadership.Tune in!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Erik Van Horn's background and early career (03:51)Transition to franchising and business expansion (06:49)Current business activities and franchise consulting (10:28)Character traits for successful franchisees (12:39)Semi-absentee ownership and business structure (20:32)Investing in franchises and passive income (22:06)Final thoughts and future plans (32:41)Additional Resources:- Franchise Secrets Franchise Secrets Group: https://web.facebook.com/groups/franchisesecretsfb/?_rdc=1&_rdr#Scalable Franchise: https://scalablefranchise.com/—- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Alloy has recently updated its territory mapping system to identify new, high-potential locations.In this episode, Rick and Suzanne discuss the results of the Alloy mapping exercise for the US and what it means for existing and potential franchisees.With updated demographic data and an analysis of local business dynamics, the company has expanded from 900 territories to over 2000.The episode also discusses the importance of protecting existing franchisees by ensuring that no two locations compete directly, with each franchise being granted a "protected radius."Rick and Suzanne also touch on the importance of refining franchisee selection by using amplifiers to find the most ideal locations and how Alloy is pushing forward with growth in the U.S. while turning down international expansion for now.Tune in to discover how Alloy is expanding smarter!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Expansion and growth of alloy (01:46)Remapping and demographic updates (04:27)Impact of new territories on franchisees (09:49)Addressing concerns and future plans (17:15)Final thoughts and future goals (18:58)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this 4th installment of the “Care Is Currency” series, Rick Mayo and Matt Helland discuss why consistency is one of the most overlooked aspects of customer loyalty. Through stories and real-world Alloy examples, they show how even small deviations in client experience, no matter how well-meaning, can break trust and hurt retention.Even when the core service stays the same, inconsistencies in the client experience create emotional dissonance for customers. Running the play exactly as designed is key to building trust at scale. Consistency becomes the real “wow factor.”🎧 Tap into Part 4 and discover why consistency builds the kind of brand loyalty that lasts.Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)The importance of consistent customer experience (02:24)The haircut story: illustrating consistency (04:02)Consistency in coaching and customer experience (13:33)Metrics and consistency in customer experience (13:57)Secret shopping and improving consistency (16:14)The role of systems in consistency (21:45)The impact of consistent service on business success (22:08)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!