From Hotels to Health Clubs: How Laura Clark Built a Culture of Service at Corporate Health Unlimited

Learn how Laura Clark’s hospitality background inspired Corporate Health Unlimited’s success in fitness management, service, and employee engagement.

Laura Clark got her career started in the hospitality industry. She worked in a variety of departments, learning and expanding her skills. But when she stumbled into overseeing hotel fitness centers, she was hooked.

“I found my passion for fitness by operating and serving guests,” explained Clark. “After receiving the Horatio Alger Award from Hyatt Hotels, my fitness career spun into high gear, and I’ve never looked back.”

When Clark first stepped fully into the fitness industry, she spent most of her career in the commercial sector and truly loved the triumphs, challenges and energy it brought. “But the moment I moved to corporate wellness paved the way to become a vice president for Corporate Health Unlimited, the best boutique corporate fitness management company in the U.S.,” she said.

Each leg of her journey has contributed not only to her career success, but also to finding her passion of changing lives and serving others.

“Because of my start in the hospitality industry, I learned what exceptional customer service looks like and feels like,” explained Clark. “From the fitness industry, I got to see people’s lives change for the better firsthand. Now, working in corporate wellness, I get to do both of those things every day.”

Corporate Health Unlimited specializes in fitness center design and development, fitness center management and wellness programming. The organization is a trusted, full-service health and wellness partner that works to create a healthier, happier environment. Since 1980 they’ve helped companies, properties, hospitals, universities, country clubs, resorts, apartment complexes, community centers and more plan, develop and manage great fitness centers and programs.

“Becoming vice president of Corporate Health Unlimited has been extremely rewarding,” said Clark. “I believe in our service approach, our team of professionals and how we are shaping the wellness approach for years to come. There’s no better moment for me than when I walk into one of our fitness centers and witness exceptional service.”

Clark recalled one hot summer day when she visited one of their locations. There was a member who changed at the gym before running outside at lunch. When he walked in, the manager welcomed him by name, gave him the weather forecast for his run, and said she’d have a towel waiting for him. When he returned, soaked in sweat, there she was, with a fresh towel for him.

“That is ultimately what it’s all about: anticipating what your member needs and being ready to provide it with a smile,” said Clark. “My greatest accomplishment is helping build a team that does just that.”

To deliver the level of exceptional service guests expect within Corporate Health Unlimited’s facilities, Clark turned back to her roots — hospitality.

“The hospitality world, especially on the hotel side, does an incredible job of training and onboarding employees,” said Clark. “They don’t just hire people — they create brand ambassadors.”

That mindset became the foundation for how Clark approached company culture and service. In 2017, as Corporate Health Unlimited entered a period of rapid growth, she saw an opportunity to bring the best of hospitality into the fitness industry. The result was 90 Go, a structured 90-day onboarding program designed to fully immerse new employees in the company’s mission, expectations and service standards.

At the heart of 90 Go are 10 service values — guiding principles that shape how every team member shows up for their members, clients and colleagues.

The 10 service values are:

1. Build strong relationships.
2. We’re responsible for our members and our client.
3. We empower and create great experiences
4. We seek to improve and innovate the member experience.
5. I own and resolve all member problems.
6. I create a team environment.
7. I’m proud of my professional appearance, language and behavior.
8. I protect the privacy and security of our members, fellow employees and Corporate Health Unlimited’s confidential information.
9. I’m responsible for uncompromising cleanliness and creating a safe environment.
10. I’m proud to be a fitness and wellness professional for Corporate Health Unlimited.

To further strengthen leadership and culture, Clark also created quarterly leadership summits for general managers. Held at the corporate office, the summits bring managers together from across the country for hands-on training in customer service, problem-solving and member engagement. The events blend professional development with camaraderie — including activities like private CrossFit classes — to build relationships and reinforce team spirit.

Through these initiatives, Clark has brought a hospitality mindset to fitness operations — one where every interaction reflects care, consistency and connection. “It’s about giving our people the tools to succeed,” she said. “That’s what creates an exceptional member experience.”

Another hospitality mindset Clark has brought to Corporate Health Unlimited is its cleanliness standard that is supported from the top down.

Recognizing the importance of supporting frontline staff, she created the “Clean Team” initiative — a hands-on effort where the entire corporate office, including HR, marketing and regional managers, spends a day helping club teams deep clean and organize facilities.

The program not only lightens the workload for on-site staff but also strengthens company culture by showing solidarity and teamwork. Employees clean everything from treadmills to storage rooms, enjoy team-building activities, and share lunch together. Clark said the goal isn’t inspection, but fostering a culture of cleanliness, camaraderie and mutual support — and it’s become a fun, unifying tradition across the company.

“While we call it ‘Clean Team,’ it’s actually about showing up and supporting our people,” explained Clark. “This is the perfect time to help reimagine spaces, reorganize storage and build a true team environment.”

Clark explained that it’s easy to go to your staff in an annual review or club inspection and offer feedback, make observations and tell someone what those are. Instead, she likes to be present at the club, show staff how it’s done and have fun. “This has helped both veteran staff members and newer teammates feel connected, engaged and excited to work,” she said.

That spirit of engagement is foundational to Corporate Health Unlimited’s mission. As a trusted, full-service fitness and wellness partner that works with companies to create a healthier, happier environment, the organization knows that motivated, supported employees are essential to long-term success.

Still, managing wellness programs for global, Fortune 500 headquarters comes with its own set of challenges. The biggest hurdle Clark and her team face is accommodating a flexible, international workforce — balancing employee schedules, physical activity and overall well-being across multiple locations.

“We ensure that we understand both the needs of each employee, as well as each corporation,” said Clark. “We use scientifically backed approaches to help our clients reduce the risk of chronic diseases and stress while at work. Our Wellness Approach is the answer: making fitness fun, educational, spirited and engaging.”

That same balance between science and service also defines how the company measures success. As a management company, Corporate Health Unlimited measures its success through both data and relationships. Clark explained that the team closely tracks wellness program participation rates, client satisfaction and testimonials to ensure they’re meeting — and exceeding — expectations. Because the focus is on creating an exceptional wellness experience rather than profit margins, collaboration and communication with clients remain central.

For Clark, however, the most meaningful indicator of success goes beyond the numbers. True success, she said, is reflected in employee morale and longevity. Many team members have been with the company for decades — including a senior regional manager of 31 years — and several former employees have even returned after exploring other opportunities. “That’s how I know we’re doing something right,” said Clark. “When people love where they work and choose to come back, that’s the greatest measure of success.”

That commitment to people — both employees and members — is deeply rooted in Clark’s hospitality background. The lessons she learned early in her career about service, attention to detail and creating meaningful experiences continue to shape how she leads today. By blending hospitality principles with fitness operations, she’s built a culture that values connection just as much as performance — and it’s a journey other operators can learn from.

“Build a great team, coach and train high-end service, and commit to consistent improvement,” said Clark. “Hospitality pays off, and it doesn’t have to be perfect immediately. Focus on small changes that make big impacts on your members and always keep improving.”