Gary Heavin is sitting pretty these days, smack-dab in the middle of the business spotlight. Heavin, founder of the extraordinarily popular Curves fitness chain, has just been named Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” in the service industry category.Starting with a $10,000 investment and a single gym in 1995, Heavin now lays claim to what is (according to the Guinness Book of World Records) the fastest-growing franchise in history. Today, there are more than 8,000 Curves facilities in 25 countries, accounting for more than 80% of the women’s fitness market.
Small Business Success, Marketing & Entrepreneurship on November 30th, 2004 at 7:31 am
Niche Marketing Rolls Again #2: Curves Fitness for Women
Several months ago a personal trainer asked me how to grow his business. I suggested marketing training and private gym use for women only, an under-served market in Northern Virginia. A few trainers do it, almost all market it poorly.
It wasn’t an or…