What Makes AWATfit the Perfect Business Opportunity for Young, First-Time Entrepreneurs?

Mobile fitness concept, AWATfit (All Weather All Terrain Fitness), is an innovative franchise concept perfect for young, first-time entrepreneurs —just ask the brand’s first franchisee Geoffrey Psillos. The 22-year-old entrepreneur is embracing the future of fitness by opening a mobile fitness concept in Port Jefferson, New York.

Founded by fitness enthusiast and entrepreneur Rich Decker in 2018, AWATfit brings a fully loaded mobile gym built out of the back of a 20-foot pickup truck directly to clients, at their homes, the beach, a playing field or anywhere else. AWATfit creates the opportunity for clients to work out in nature, a practice known to increase energy and improve mood. Now, Psillos is proud to join the brand as the first franchise owner.

“I just graduated from SUNY Delhi in May 2020,” said Psillos. “I’ve been in the fitness industry, personally, for about eight years and have been a bodybuilder for six years. In 2018 and 2019, I won the National Physique Committee East Coast Championship for bodybuilding. Since then, I’ve been focusing on personal health and helping colleagues with their fitness goals.”

Psillos first heard about AWATfit after a friend of his began working with the company. Decker asked him to recommend trainers that were knowledgeable about nutrition and fitness and Psillis recognized AWATFit as a revolutionary concept.

“As a first time entrepreneur, AWATfit offers an affordable business opportunity with the backing of an amazing team,” said Psillos. “It was either me starting a business on my own or going into my family’s business. I would have chosen to open a gym, but with the overhead and the valuation of profit it wasn’t worth it.

At the end of the day the vehicle is mine and I don't have to worry about rent for it. Plus, the trainers love being there and franchisees are able to really integrate the concept into how they personally train. Everything is for the most part your decision — Decker puts you in contact with the right people because he wants his franchisees to be successful.”

In addition, Psillos notes that he joined AWAtfit because he wanted to be able to work as a team with Decker. “I didn’t want to go into it alone,” he said. “Everyone I’ve worked with is very intelligent and respectful. I also saw their experience in the industry as a benefit for my business.”

With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, Decker built the AWATfit concept as a deliberate attempt to disrupt a stagnant fitness marketplace and grow fast. As the concept’s early success indicates, the strategy worked. Additionally, the concept was developed before the coronavirus pandemic forced consumers to rethink how and where they could exercise. AWATfit is the perfect opportunity for someone currently working in a brick-and-mortar gym who is ready to adapt their business model to be more mobile.

With that in-demand, remote model, AWATfit is ideal for anyone who is looking for a business with a low entry cost, low overhead and the ability to be up and running in only 30 days. Plus, AWATfit offers a simple, flexible opportunity in which entrepreneurs can control their own schedule while doing what they love with the support of an expert team. Its model is well-positioned for success in a post-coronavirus world — seeing a nearly 90% net ROI in the Long Island market.

“Being young and getting into a franchise like this at such an early stage has an astronomical payoff as the brand grows,” said Psillos. “Another big thing for me is that I’m one of the first people up and running as a franchisee with the brand. I have a lot of knowledge in fitness and I can potentially be a representative for the company.”

Psillos also notes that his family is quite connected to the Long Island area and he is excited to share this concept with his community. “As the brand’s first franchisee, I see a huge margin for growth and hope to expand and own the whole region of Long Island,” he said. “Within the next year, I hope to be able to buy at least seven more trucks and further integrate a love of the fitness lifestyle in all of Long Island and make the world a healthier place.”