20 Questions with  Outlaw FitCamp’s Franchisee Kelsey Cherne

A huge part of Outlaw FitCamp’s growth and success these past few years has been our amazing franchise owners. We’re excited to introduce you to one of our superstar franchisees, Kelsey Cherne, franchisee of Outlaw FitCamp McKinney.

Born in Kansas City and growing up between there and Lubbock, Kelsey and her family moved to McKinney four years ago. Kelsey is married and has six children. She loves to work out and spend time with her kids. And she loves her role as an Outlaw FitCamp franchise owner!

1. When did you open your Outlaw FitCamp location in McKinney?

In February of 2021

2. What do you love about McKinney? 

The community. We are blessed. We just have amazing people coming through our doors. It’s truly one big family here. Even our 5:00 a.m. class members are friends with our 5:45 evening members who come. Really, the community here is amazing.

3. What made you like Outlaw FitCamp more than other franchise opportunities?

Honestly, the leadership of Jesse and Tiffany. We moved here about four years ago. As soon as we got here, I checked out gyms in the area to see where I wanted to work. The manager at this Outlaw location at the time took a while to hire me. In the meantime, I started coaching classes at another gym. So when the Outlaw manager finally reached out to me about coaching, there was a conflict of interest with teaching classes. But since the Outlaw location offered personal training, I was able to start training clients here. So for a while, I was working for two different leaderships.

When COVID happened, I was so impressed with the way Jesse and Tiffany led the company and navigated through all that. They came out of it an even better business. At the other gym where I was working, all the employees got a text that said the business was closed and that’s all we got!

That’s when I realized that Outlaw FitCamp is the kind of company I want to be with. They showed true leadership and they took care of their employees. That was their main concern—how do we take care of our gyms and our employees through COVID, and that’s what leaders do. The communication was awesome in helping comfort everybody. That’s why I love Outlaw FitCamp.

4. Have you always been interested in fitness?

Yes. My master’s degree is in education, so I was a school teacher. But I’ve always been into fitness. I played college sports. I’ve always worked out. Even through all six pregnancies, I lifted weights. It’s just something that I’ve always done because I know the benefits of it.

When I was pregnant with baby number five. I started thinking about how we were paying the nanny what I’m being paid to teach other people’s kids. So I decided to try to stay home. In that time, I had a lot of friends reaching out to me saying things like, “I’m going on vacation in two months, can you help me lose ten pounds?” We had a gym set up in our basement and people kept asking if they could come work out with me. And it just kind of hit me—I love this, I’m kind of good at it, and this is what I want to do. And that’s where it was born.

5. What are your goals with Outlaw FitCamp?

I would like to own multiple locations.

6. What are the most important benefits for you in owning an Outlaw FitCamp franchise?

Honestly, I’d say when we have clients who are in a crisis or in a time of need, being the owner gives me the ability to be able to help them. I’m so grateful for that.

7. How did you put together your team?

I’m picky! I want a culture of energy and people who are as passionate as me. I want people who are really here to make people’s lives better.

I’ve been very picky, but again, with this community I’ve been blessed. My main trainer worked at another gym where I worked before Outlaw, and I knew her from there. My other two trainers actually started out as members here. But they loved it, they have the energy, and they have what I was looking for. So they earned certifications and moved into training. I think for the culture and family environment I want here, that’s kind of how it has to go.

8. What support from Outlaw FitCamp has been most helpful to you?

For one thing, as far as the franchise goes, our Operator’s Manual. it’s very streamlined on what their expectations are. There’s no gray. It’s very black and white which is super helpful.

Then the other part is they’re here to help. If I have a question or I have an idea, I can share it. And I’m not afraid to share it. Even if I think it might be silly, they’re always open to ideas, and they’ll help me think it through. The support from Jesse and Tiffany is so helpful.

9. What inspires you or motivates you to wake up and go to work?

Our hardworking clients. Especially after COVID, everyone is just so grateful to be here. People have a new appreciation for just having the ability to be in a gym and to be back in a supportive community. And that is literally my motivation. I think, okay, I have clients getting up at 5:00 a.m. to push themselves out of their comfort zone, so I can spend all day here.

10. What is your favorite thing about owning an Outlaw FitCamp franchise?

I love the challenge of owning this business. Every day I’m thinking, how can we do better? The challenge of being a business owner is part of what I love.

11.What kind of resources from Outlaw FitCamp do you take advantage of?

Again, I would say the Operator’s Manual. Everything is in there. From the resources they want us to use for Marketing to Accounting. If you need a new business sign, it shows you who to go to for that. So I’d say all the resources.

So the systems that are already in place, definitely. And then just the fact that everyone at corporate is open to help you. I can send an email to anybody there with a question, and I will get a response right away.

12. What have you learned so far that you didn’t know before?

When you own a business, you don’t get a day off. There’s always something to do (laughs).

13. What advice would you give someone looking for a franchise opportunity?

My advice, especially with gyms, is I feel like there are a lot of investors out there who think they can purchase a gym, just put a manager in place, be hands off, and it’s going to be a money maker. But I think for a gym, if you’re really trying to create a community and a culture, you need to be hands on. You don’t necessarily need to be there full time, but you need to plan on being hands on. Especially in the beginning, it’s important to put in the time to instill your vision and the culture you want.

14. What do you like to do with your spare time?

As a mom of six and a business owner, I don’t have much spare time. But I enjoy working out every day, and I like to read or listen to audio books.

15. What is your favorite form of exercise personally?

Lifting weights. I love feeling strong and it’s also a stress release.

16. What three words would you use to describe workouts at Outlaw FitCamp?

Fun, effective, challenging.

17. What is your favorite workout music?

At the gym with clients in here, I like fast-paced music with no cusswords. It just has to have a good beat but no cusswords, which is harder to find than it sounds (laughs). I have music at the gym playing all day, so when I’m at home I mostly listen to audio books, or I’ll read printed books too.

18. Now I need to ask, what are you reading right now?

It’s called Stop Doing that Sh*t. It’s about not self-sabotaging. If you have goals and dreams, but have friends who are kind of discouraging you, you need to push them away and go after your goals.

19. How do you balance career and family?

I have my kids involved in my career. They’re part of the gym. They come up and work out. They spend time up here because this is where I’m at. This is part of my life, so they’re part of it too.

Also, I’ve made it a goal each month to spend one-on-one time with each kid doing something. It might just be going to the store to get new basketball shoes, but I’m making a point to get one-on-one time with each one.

20. What does your work mean to you?

Honestly, when you see someone get hope again, or realize that their body isn’t broken, that they are strong, that they can lose weight, and they can be healthy—that’s it. That’s what it means to me; just those moments when you make somebody’s life better.

If you think you may be interested in joining our Outlaw FitCamp family, learn more about becoming a franchise owner here. We’re growing quickly and you may be the perfect addition to our team! Contact us today to discuss the opportunity.