Deepal Patel is the owner of Burn Boot Camp Prosper, TX, which has been thriving for over a year. She is a proud wife, mom to two boys (4 and 6 years old), and native to India, where she was born and raised before moving to the USA. She would then go off to college and meet her husband, Mo.
Deepal and Mo are serial entrepreneurs who have always put their hustle and hard work front and center to provide the best life possible for their family. When Deepal’s traditional 9-5 job just wasn’t cutting it financially, they started to cast a wider net into prospective career opportunities. They did endless research on investment opportunities, small business concepts, and the smartest entrepreneurial moves that would be the best fit for their values and family.
When a close friend invited Deepal to come work out at Burn Boot Camp Raleigh, she began to consider the gym as not only a workout but as a business opportunity. She decided to join her friend, a member of Burn Raleigh, in hopes to find out more about the business from the current owner.
She made the trip and took a noon camp on that fateful day that would forever change her story.. She was immediately drawn into the words on the walls, the gym’s core values, and the importance of community that was evident upon entering the building. After all, the values weren’t just a vinyl sticker on the wall, the members were a true embodiment of each word and phrase. They were authentic, welcoming, and real. “Integrity and honesty are two core values that I live by and work to be an example for my children every day. Those same values aligned with Burn and the more I learned, the more I knew it was a perfect match.”
Our COO, Morgan Kline, sat down with Deepal to dig into what it really means to be a working mom and entrepreneur:
What were your fears about going into entrepreneurship?
“First and foremost there is the obvious financial fear and motherhood guilt. Being a Mom and not being there as much as I should be for my kids. I knew I was going to be working more than I ever had in my entire life. I was worried about giving my kids the time they deserved while running this business. The competitive voice inside my head was loud: “What if I don’t do well? What will everyone around me think? Will I be making my Mom proud? What if I fail?”
What would you say to someone who has young kids but is interested in owning their own business and taking the entrepreneurial leap?
“Time management has been huge for me. When I’m in the business, I’m in the business”
How has having children and a business enriched your life?
“My boys watching me at work, being able to bring them to the gym. They are watching me make an impact and lead by example.”
How have you been able to build such a strong team and comradery?
“Your team is going to be as successful as you, and vice versa. I’m a huge believer that you’ve got to take care of your people. I’m not big on resumes. Anybody can create a great resume or interview well. What I’m looking for in a team member is compassion, humility, and integrity. The qualities that you can’t coach — like humility, or wanting to impact people’s lives in a positive way — are the big ones. It’s hard to find someone out there who is as passionate about your business as you are as the owner, but they are out there.”
What does a day in the life look like for you?
“Busy. I’m in the gym every day by 4:30 am and I’m home by 8:00 pm. Some days are even crazier. If someone calls in, I’m there on a Sunday morning. I wouldn’t trade it for the world; it’s very rewarding. My husband and my kids can come to work with me. The biggest challenge is finding time to take care of myself. I’m not very good at it, but I’m working on it.”
At Burn Boot Camp, we preach taking care of ourselves first. There are so many life layers that go into that and can derail us. How do you make sure that you’re consistently taking care of yourself so you can be the best business owner, Mom, friend, entrepreneur, etc..?
“I literally have to put it on my calendar. Most weeks it’s Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 3:30-5:00 pm. My self-care is beyond getting my workout in. I hop into camps with my members once a day, but I need time away from the gym, on my own. It could be getting a massage or getting a cup of coffee on my own. I have seen such a difference in myself since implementing this time. I am more reflective, and appreciative of my gym. I’m a better owner because of it. I enjoy my gym more.”
BECOME A BUSINESS OWNER. BUILD YOUR OWN BURN BOOT CAMP EMPIRE. Visit franchise.burnbootcamp.com
