Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Taylor Dani Hightower.
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Max 3 Fitness is a family-owned, small business that has evolved from a local fitness center into a community where people go to feel connected. My sister and I purchased Max 3 four years ago from two brothers. It definitely had a strong male membership base and a “bro gym” vibe, and we were hell-bent on changing that perception. I have a background in public education and served as an elementary school principal before getting into the “Crossfit” scene. I was always active in high school and college and excelled in competitive cheerleading for most of my youth. I’d heard of CrossFit but I hadn’t really experienced it yet. Enter my younger sister Dani. Dani was a collegiate soccer player, a serious athlete and quite the competitor in whatever she participated in. She had been competing locally in CrossFit competitions when she approached my husband and me about an opportunity. We decided to jump in headfirst and try our hand at small business ownership. The first year, I continued my job as a principal and Dani ran the day to day operations and coaching. I handled marketing and the business side of things. We quickly realized, to be truly successful as gym owners, we would need to dedicate our full attention to growing our client base. We had big dreams of creating a women-owned CrossFit gym, where EVERYONE was truly welcome, comfortable and challenged. We have faced many challenges and celebrated tons of success. We are excited to continue growing and serving our community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth journey, but what great success story is it?? My sister and I grossly underestimated the time and attention owning a small business takes. We have struggled to shift our mindsets from “employee” thinking to one of an ownership mentality. That has not been easy. We still continue to grow in that area, but we have made major strides. The biggest challenge to date would have to be navigating the aftermath of COVID-19. Financially things haven’t been easy, and we know many have felt these stresses as well. We are also acutely aware of how blessed we are to have continued to keep our doors open and serve our community during these trying times. We are surrounded by an unbelievable community of people that have continued to support us and show up day after day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Max 3 Fitness?
We are surrounded by an unbelievable community of people that have continued to support us and show up day after day. Dani and I feel very proud of the community we have fostered and helped to build. We continue to donate to local food shelters, support foster families, organize fundraisers for sick members, facilitate meal trains for new parents, throw surprise baby showers for expecting mommas and help first time home buyers move into their new places. Max 3 is truly a family. It’s really an incredible place.
What are your plans for the future?
We definitely have plans for the future and dreams for what we want Max 3 to be. We also have realistic expectations in this current Covid reality. Short term plans have everything to do with surviving these unprecedented times. We have successfully kept our doors open for our members and supported them physically and emotionally when we believe they needed it the most. Short term, that’s what we want to continue to do. Long term, we hope to one day expand our facility as well as own the building and the land we operate from.
Contact Info:
- Email: max3fitness@gmail.com
- Website: max3fitness.com
- Instagram: @max3fitness
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/max3fitness
Image Credits
Fringe Sports
