Helping people to reach their fitness goals is one of the most motivating things to do. That energy and passion can help anyone stay on task and push a little bit harder. Steve Collette – Co-Founder and President of 3rd Degree Training is one such knowledgeable person, extremely dedicated to helping people reach their fitness goals.

Steve started 3rd Degree Training with his wife, Pam. When they started, Steve wore as many hats as he needed, Co-Founder, personal trainer, class instructor, even janitor. After 5 years of growing their Stratford location, 3rd Degree Training started their franchising journey where Steve spearheaded the company’s franchise development. Today, Steve is President and Chief Visionary Officer with an amazing team providing franchise support and development.

So, if you have a passion for fitness and dream of owning your own business, 3rd Degree Training is a success-proven fitness system. This is the perfect opportunity for health and wellness to do something meaningful, dynamic, and rewarding!

The Franchise Universe caught up with Steve Collette to unveil his journey that helped build 3rd Degree Training’s proven fitness franchise system.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

As a Franchise Leader, what is your opinion on the effects of the current pandemic on the Health & Wellness and Healthcare Industry and Franchise in general?

The health and wellness industry has been extremely impacted by Covid-19. We’ve been very lucky that we’ve been able to adapt and innovate with the pandemic by launching our virtual fitness model. It’s been crucial to both our business and our members through these stressful times. We’ve been able to keep them motivated at home through their phone and tv screens with exciting new workouts and stay connected as a community. As the vaccination plans continue to roll out across the country, you’ll see the fitness industry explode and there’s never been a better time to get involved.

What is your thought on the necessity of a positive work culture? In what ways do you implement it at your organization?

When you look at building teams, it all comes down to a positive work culture. When I look at our employees, I see them as partners and we try to empower and inspire them to do what they think benefits our business and gives our members the best experience. When employees do what they love, they’re always amazing at it. The businesses that have positive work cultures are the ones who will thrive after covid.

What is your opinion on the advancements for wellness and fitness services to improve the offerings with newer technological developments, especially when it comes to building a population of healthy individuals?

It’s extremely important and we were one of them. Prior to the pandemic, we were an in-person only business. Now we have been able to create virtual touchpoints that align with our values. I believe that this pandemic has helped show people what methods work best for them in terms of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Some members learned that they actually work out best at home on their own time, while others learned that they really do need the in-person environment to keep them motivated. We’re happy to be able to provide our members with both options.

In your opinion, what could be the future of personalized healthcare and franchisees post the COVID-19 pandemic? And how are you strategizing 3rd Degree Training operations for that future?

It’s at the forefront and the future is very bright. The pandemic truly showed that we are social creatures and that our mental health is just as important as our physical. Exercise is the only prescription a doctor can prescribe without side effects. – Dr. Trevor Jain.

I think now more than ever before people will reach out for support for their mental and physical wellbeing and they’ll find guidance for how to achieve a healthy lifestyle that suits their unique needs.

In terms of our business, having a digital presence in our operations has made supporting our franchises easier. Having tools for constant support and collaboration through technology is going to be an extremely important tool.

As an established Franchise leader, what would be your advice to the budding franchise leaders aspiring to venture into the Franchise Industry?

My best advice would be to take your time. Work with professionals, network as much as you can, and know that you’re not always right. Did I mention take your time?

How do you envision on sustaining your holistic care competency in a cutthroat and volatile world of wellness center? Where do you see your franchise in the next five years? 

I don’t believe that the wellness industry is cutthroat. Like any business, if you take care of your people and your culture, you’ll be just fine. If you spend all of your time worrying about your competition, how will you ever have time to work on your business? Focus your time on your customer, not your competition.

5 years from now? We are set and focused on international growth.