Every month, Club Solutions sits down with an industry expert to share in their wealth of knowledge. In the September issue, we sat down Carolyn Grasse, the general manager at QNTM Fit Life.
1. How did you get your start in the fitness industry?
There were a few factors that got me into the fitness industry, but the most pivotal/influencing factor was becoming a group fitness instructor to balance my work and personal life.
2. What’s been a key to your organization’s success? What are you most proud of?
Our continued success is largely attributed to our ability to come together to seek out the best solution. Proudly, I’d have to say we are able to work together to confront the tough obstacles and best align member needs with the business outcomes we need to remain viable and sought out.
3. What has been one of the biggest accomplishments of your career?
This is probably the toughest question. I think for me, I look at the development of the people I have had the privilege to lead. Watching their development both in their roles and their personal lives is the most rewarding thing that, especially when they stay with us, holds the greatest impact. Seeing problems and identifying and executing solutions is one of the greatest things I have been able to contribute to each of the roles I’ve held in the industry. For example, pre-COVID-19 I expanded my private gym three times in the last recession of 2007.
4. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career? And how did you overcome it?
One of my biggest challenges came at a time when I had a lot of things going on personally that temporarily caused me to step away from the fitness world as a career. Overcoming it required me to look at things through a bigger lens, be creative and ultimately led me to relocate to a new state where I found my current position at QNTM Fit Life.
5. What is one lesson you have learned that other fitness professionals can learn from?
Listen. If we listen to not just requests and issues, but to what our staff and members are saying outside of their time in our clubs, we can learn more about their needs and how best to be of service.
6. Tell us one fact about yourself others may not know.
I am a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts. This organization not only does a terrific job of providing a diverse background of learning for young women, but they have survived through the years based on their ability to listen, learn and change to meet the changing needs of our development in society.
Connect with Carolyn Grasse on LinkedIn.
