Where are our ambitious entrepreneurs at?! Today we’re joined by Nick Shaw, who has built one of the biggest diet and training programs, one that puts an emphasis on either building or maintaining muscle while decreasing fat, RP Strength.
Kyle has known Nick for many years and we are so excited to invite him on the show to talk about the ups and downs of building a multi-million dollar company in the wellness industry!
This is definitely an interview we know all of the business owners listening are going to be inspired and learn something from, so let’s dive into our conversation with Nick where we discuss his biggest challenges of growing a business, and the most pivotal moment in his company’s history, the best piece of entrepreneurship advice he’s ever received, and more.
About Nick
Nick Shaw is the Founder and CEO of Renaissance Periodization, a diet and fitness company founded on evidence-based practices to help our members achieve their health, athletic performance and physique goals. He is also co-host of the RP Strength podcast with wife – and RP colleague – Lori Shaw. Himself a former competitive powerlifter and bodybuilder, Nick has also personally coached numerous world-class athletes, including CrossFit Games Champions, international medalists, Olympians, UFC fighters, professional athletes, and Navy SEALs. Nick holds a B.A. in Sport Management from the University of Michigan, where he helped establish a scholarship for undergraduate Kinesiology students, and from which he received the Early Career Achievement Award. Nick currently resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife and two kids. Follow Nick on Instagram here.About RP Strength
Nick’s company, RP Strength, currently boasts a team of coaches with 20 PhDs in the fields of Sports Physiology, Sports Performance, Sports Nutrition and even Cellular/Molecular Biology with an emphasis in Nutritional Physiology. Five members of our team are Registered Dietitians, with others working towards their RDs. Unrivaled in the fitness industry, a large portion of the RP staff are as much renowned academics as they are themselves world-class athletes, and all of us are passionate about the work we do to help hundreds of thousands of clients worldwide lose fat, gain muscle, improve their sports performance, and achieve a healthier, more rewarding lifestyle. Learn more about RP Strength here.Nick’s Best Business Advice:
- Narrow Your Target Audience: One of the key takeaways from the podcast episode is the importance of narrowing your target audience. Nick discusses how he and his team initially tried to cater to everyone, but quickly realized that in marketing, being for everyone means being for nobody. This realization led them to refocus their efforts and target a specific subset of people who were interested in building or maintaining muscle while decreasing fat and their business grew exponentially! By honing in on a specific demographic, they were able to create content and products that directly addressed the needs and desires of their target market. This approach allowed them to establish themselves as experts in their niche and build a loyal customer base.
- Start Small and Build Credibility: If you are starting a fitness business, Nick recommends you start by training people in person. This allows you to gain hands-on experience before you transition to online training. By working with people in person, fitness professionals can build up social proof and testimonials, which are crucial for establishing credibility in the industry. With anything, you need to play the long game. Don’t compare yourself to others who may have been in the industry for many years and have a large following. Instead, focus on building a smaller client base and do an exceptional job with those clients to accumulate testimonials and referrals.
- Long-Term Success Requires Trust and Consistency: Nick believes that RP Strength has been able to thrive by consistently delivering valuable content and building a strong reputation as an authority in their field. They get results for their clients (which builds trust), which helps them build a loyal customer base. So start small, hustler… it’s the foundation you need to skyrocket your business down the road!
