It’s hard to believe that it’s been two years since we first opened our doors in downtown Danville. I remember feeling anxious, nervous, excited, all at the same time. Is anybody going to walk through those doors on the first day? How do we explain what Koko is? How do we process the paperwork? Is anybody going to see the value in Koko like I did?
Looking back, it was a rough first few days, weeks and months. I remember our first member came knocking on the door the day before we opened. The doors were locked and I was there alone. I thought to myself, “Someone’s here!” I unlocked the door and let her in. She had received our postcard in the mail and was curious about what this new Koko place was all about. I clumsily showed her around and she loved it. She wanted to join and I was thrilled! Then I realized I had to process the sale with a brand new system that I knew very little about. Panic set in. I took a few deep breaths and slowly navigated myself through the system. What should have taken 10 minutes, took closer to 40 as my new member stood there patiently waiting for me to complete the transaction. But at the end of the day I had my first member, and we weren’t even open yet.
The coming days and weeks felt like a rollercoaster ride. There were days when no one came at all. Other days, people walked in and wanted to join without even an attempted explanation of what Koko was. People were skeptical. What is this place with a funny name? Why should I join? What does it cost? How does it work? Does it even work?
As the weeks and months went on, we became more confident with our message, our sales process and our belief in Koko. People who had never been able to stick to a traditional “gym” routine in the past found themselves coming back week after week, month after month and actually enjoying it. This was finally something they could do and be successful at.
So, why Koko? Why do our KokoNuts (an endearing term for our diehard members) love Koko? They love Koko because Koko makes exercise and now nutrition, simple. Koko is customized for them…based on their goals, their body and their ability. I smile to myself when I see one of our 80 year old members workout out next to one of our forty somethings and know that they are each getting exactly what they need.
With the addition of our newest service, Koko Fuel, I know that this is just the beginning. I believe in Koko more now than I did on that very first day we opened our doors. I know many ups and downs lie ahead, but I can say for certain that there is not another “gym” around as unique and special as Koko FitClub of Danville.
Koko FitClub Danville is owned and operated by Val and Mike Rogers, local Danville residents. Koko FitClub is conveniently located in downtown Danville at the Iron Horse Trail Crossing.
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