#19 From Garden Shed to Shopfront Gym: Tony Cottenden's Story

Tony Cottenden went from prison officer to running personal training sessions in a garden shed — and eventually opening a shopfront small-group training gym. In this episode, Tony breaks down the real pros and cons of “going bigger,” why gym ownership doesn’t automatically mean more profit, and how he’s built a model that prioritises coaching, retention, and a life he actually enjoys.We get into: the shed-to-shop transition, why he’s not chasing multi-site status, how his 6-week intro offer converts 65–70%, what he’d change if he started again, and why the most reliable marketing strategy is still delivering an exceptional coaching experience.