Every month, Club Solutions sits down with an industry expert to share in their wealth of knowledge. In the June issue, we sat down with Hoosh Nader, the general manager and partner at South End and West End Racquet and Health Clubs.
1. How did you get started in the fitness industry?
About 30 years ago I started working as a mechanical engineer in a company that was located across the street from South End Club Racquet and Health Club in Torrance, California. I visited the club to try a racquet game called paddle tennis, which is very similar to tennis but much smaller. The size of the court is almost one third of a tennis court. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the game and become very good at it.
Two years or so later, the club’s paddle tennis pro retired and I took his place.
Then the engineering company started to lay off many of its workforce. I was one of them. So, I got more involved with the club business. Shortly after I was hired as evening and weekend manager, and in membership sales. Eventually I was hired to manage the club.
After demonstrating major improvements in the club and increased profitability, I became a partner in the business. A few years later I was then appointed to manage the second club, West End Tennis and Racquet Club.
2. What’s been a key to your organization’s success?
Staying up-to-date with the sports and fitness industry. Understanding and learning the fitness and sports business and, more importantly, having a good business sense. Also, finding the right niche that applies to my business growth.
3. What are you most proud of? What has been one of the biggest accomplishments of your career?
I am proud of transforming two average tennis and fitness clubs into very successful country clubs. In addition, obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering and becoming a partner and member of the board in the businesses.
4. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career? And how did you overcome it?
In order to grow the business and accommodate more members, it was necessary to add more parking. Since one of my clubs is located right next to a small airport, I had to get approvals from three different agencies — the FAA, the Pilot’s Association and the City of Torrance. Having proper education and an engineering background, I was able to overcome all obstacles and satisfy their requirements.
5. What is one lesson you have learned that other fitness professionals can learn from?
The importance of creating foot traffic, which eventually turns into business, and recognizing the key and valuable employees and taking care of them.
6. Tell us one fact about yourself others may not know.
I have a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees in the field of engineering from Oregon State University and California State University, Northridge. I taught engineering courses at California State University, Northridge for about three years in the late 80s.
