Stepping out of your comfort zone is one of the most important aspects of becoming a successful entrepreneur. Taking action on a dream is often one of the hardest parts of the entire journey, and Trixie Isla-Velez can attest to this. While she’s now one of the most sought after pilates and fitness trainers in all of Hong Kong, there was a time when she was one of the most passionate and hardworking trainers working for a studio.
When that fitness studio didn’t appreciate the effort and passion she brought to the studio, she was faced with leaving the gym she’d grown to love in favor of opening her very own studio. The idea of leaving all of her clients and her life at that gym scared her to death, but she knew it’s what needed to be done. From there, Trixie’s grit shone through as she began growing her own brand.
She started up moving from one small studio to another, renting out a few hour time slots at a time to teach her classes. Even though the locations were less than ideal, her clients followed her no matter where she went. In fact, through word of mouth she was able to grow her clientele significantly during a time where she had no set location for her gym.
Once she did sign on a permanent location, her studio, DEFIN8, skyrocketed. With no investors, word of mouth and some digital ads for marketing, and starting from scratch, Trixie has been able to build a remarkable brand for herself and her gym.
Coming from a point where her bosses told her “People don’t come here for you, they come for the class” to running her own gym packed full of loyal clientele, Trixie’s entrepreneurial journey has been remarkable. At just 31 years old, she’s been able to achieve everything she once dreamed of in the industry and then some. Even still, she’s still eager to achieve more.
One thing Trixie has learned along the way is that no success worth having comes overnight. She’s put in countless hours as a trainer and business owner, and has even passed up spending time with her family to teach classes and train her clients. What’s kept her motivated every step of the way is the fact that every little action builds up to something incredible over time. Getting up and going to work on a daily basis has compounded into a massively positive effect on her career, and it’s just the beginning for Trixie Isla-Velez.
