Hey Parkour Entrepreneurs,
Jimmy Davidson here, I'm writing this article in a first-person voice as I'm trying to articulate and share an idea at the intersection of my parkour gyms and the outdoor parkour community.
I've been toying with this exciting notion that I think could truly elevate the parkour experience for both our community and business: the creation of a new role within our gyms, one that I like to call the "Community Director". As fellow parkour gym owners, I'm eager to share my musings with you and hear your thoughts on this potential game-changer when it comes to the scalability of creating outdoor parkour cultures around parkour gyms.
Picture this: a Community Director dedicated to orchestrating outdoor parkour jams, weekly training sessions, and, above all, fostering a sense of connection within our community. Their primary goal? Welcoming newcomers into the parkour fold, igniting that spark that draws individuals into our culture and keeps them hooked. This would be a paid position at a parkour gym.
In the early days when I owned a single gym (Freedom in Motion's Murrieta CA location), I relished in curating and attending parkour sessions, bonding with jumpers over movement challenges, and nurturing beginners' growth. Our community thrived, boasting over 100 YouTube videos featuring 50+ athletes—all from our hometown.
However, as I expanded to multiple gyms and embraced new personal responsibilities, my direct involvement waned. The vibrant community I cherished began to dim as the torchbearers moved on with their lives. It's a natural progression, but it left a void in nurturing the parkour fervor outside our gym walls.
With a decade under our belt and a certain stability achieved, it's crucial to realign with our "north star." For me, it's sharing the passion of parkour with a million more individuals. While our gyms are pivotal in achieving this mission, the concept of a Community Director seems increasingly pertinent.
Analyzing the data, I noticed a trend: our most dedicated coaches deepen their parkour passion through outdoor community engagement. Many started as gym students before integrating into the outdoor scene, becoming pillars in our 5-star reviews and parental conversations—a testament to their coaching prowess. Anecdotally occasional outdoor parkour jam attendance likely reduces coaching burnout as well.
Amazing coaches with a passion for parkour increase the Length of engagement (LEG) of the average member and justify a larger average revenue per member score (ARM).
Sure, coaching brilliance isn't just about parkour skills; it's about connecting with students, planning engaging sessions, and commanding respect, irrespective of age or skill level. These coaches, inspired by the outdoor community, boost member engagement, revenue, and staff retention.
In my experience, it typically takes 3 to 5 years for beginners to truly embrace the parkour community. However, certain demographics, particularly young adults, might integrate faster, evolving into dedicated athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
The impact of a dedicated Community Director might not materialize immediately, but it's an investment in coaching quality, local talent, and long-term revenue growth. While it might not fit every gym's current financial landscape, for those capable, it could be a game-changer for gyms in need of scalable solutions or revitalizing their coach hiring channels.
So, fellow entrepreneurs, what are your thoughts? Can a Community Director role revolutionize our gyms? I believe it's a step toward not just expanding our community but also securing our gyms' future.
Let's keep this conversation going.
Comment here on the blog, or join the number of folks already talking about this article here on this post in the Parkour Gym Owners Facebook Group
With love for movement,
Jimmy Davidson
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