How a Local Gym Fought Planet Fitness with Community

In Episode 9 of Small Business Success with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna head to a small town in Ohio where a family-run gym is holding its own against a massive chain — Planet Fitness. The owner, Jenna Russo, opened Iron & Grace Fitness in 2019 with just 800 square feet and 12 members. Five years later, she's got 340 members, zero debt, and a waiting list. Today's show unpacks how she did it: the 'community over convenience' model, why she turned down a franchise offer, and the surprisingly smart move of capping membership growth. Plus, we explore the economics of small-box fitness: rent per square foot, churn rates, and the power of personal relationships in an industry built on no-shows. If you've ever wondered whether a local business can really compete with a $10-a-month giant, this episode has real answers. #SmallBusiness #Business #Fitness #PlanetFitness #IronAndGrace #JennaRusso #CommunityCommerce #LocalBusiness #Ohio #SmallBoxGym #ChurnRate #MembershipCap #Franchise #Bootstrapping #MainStreet #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #SmallBusinessSuccess Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo