YuBalance
“The SBDC helped us conquer bookkeeping, access capital for growth and develop a marketing strategy that rivals our most seasoned competitors. We started our journey with the SBDC in 2015, and still check-in with our mentors quarterly to keep our business on track”
YuBalance provides high-intensity total body workout using free weights, body weight movement and minimal equipment. They have three neighborhood fitness studios located in the Mission and Sunset Districts of San Francisco. The Cox family started their business in 2014 while pregnant with their first born son. Rory was an experienced Personal Trainer and Shala, a business management graduate from Golden Gate University. They noticed a need in the market for an upscale fitness brand that represented the cultural and ethnic diversity of San Francisco.
Challenges
Some of the challenges YuBalance was experiencing when referred to the SF Small Business Development Center were sales & marketing, HR, and financial management.
Gameplan
Shala first worked with SBDC Advisor Gabriela Sapp who conducted a business assessment and created an action plan with goals, strategies, and deliverables. Financial management, marketing, and branding were identified as priority areas to work on. First, Shala worked with Gabriela on financial management and with David Mitroff on sales & marketing strategies in the fitness industry. The YuBalance brand came to life in 2017 when Bryce Root, a small business marketing expert, advised on target market research, branding, and strategic planning.
Results
YuBalance is a growing business. Revenue has increased by 50% for three consecutive years and the company has expanded to two additional locations in San Francisco. YuBalance is able to create and retain local jobs. Currently, this family-owned business has 15 employees.
