TPC Small Business Spotlight #3: Clint Tannehill of CueFit
The CueFit facade on 1st Ave S in Seattle
I joined CueFit Seattle earlier this year after months of walking by the gym on my way to work. Since signing up I’ve worked out more consistently, slept better, and eaten healthier than at any other time in my adult life. The gym manages to balance style, community, strong coaching and functional programming. It has all the equipment of your typical Crossfit box, but every detail is a bit more upscale and new members will feel welcome whether they’re already in great shape or are right off the couch. CueFit members have access to metabolic conditioning classes (Metcon) which are similar to Crossfit classes, conditioning classes that incorporate high intensity interval training (HIIT), ab-focused classes, personal training, and open gym sessions. They also have great smelling shampoo and really clean showers.
For the latest installment of the TPC Small Business Spotlight, I sat down with one of Cue’s founders, Clint Tannehill and asked him about the keys to running a successful fitness company.
Fun Fact: TPC Members get 10% off unlimited memberships at Cue.
Business Qs
What were you doing before CueFit?
Clint Tannehill, co-owner of CueFit Seattle.
The idea originated while I was traveling. I was in Shanghai at the time teaching English, looking for my next move. Previous to that I was in the financial services arena where I got bored after five years in the same industry. I was looking for a place to spend my time where I would get more enjoyment. I enjoyed the community of the office life but did not enjoy the work. The search for fulfillment in my professional life was on - I was spending my days contemplating my next steps. It seems that all my plans come to a point of starting a business, like there are no other options. This happens especially when I purchase items or use a service. I wonder about the operations of that business and its function in society. I find myself thinking about how I would run it if it were my business, how I could make it better or just put a different twist on it. In a conversation with a long-time friend, Steve Owens, we came up with the idea of opening a gym. We were both long-time fitness enthusiasts and fancied the idea of owning a gym. We both pretty much had a laundry list of complaints from gyms we had been in over the years (100s of them because we both were traveling for work) and a list of things we loved. We decided that we could take this passion for fitness and for the perfect gym and make it into a physical reality. With that, we came up with what today is CueFit Seattle.
How long did it take to go from concept to opening day? What were the biggest lessons learned in that process?
Great question, it was roughly two years. As mentioned above, we came up with the idea while I was traveling and after my last couple of months traveling, we went to work. One of the biggest lessons we learned was to limit our offering. We came out of the gate trying to offer more than we could keep up with, we leaned out about 6 months in and continue to lean out to this day. In hindsight, we would have started with limited offerings and expanded off of that.
“I was spending my days contemplating my next steps. It seems that all my plans come to a point of starting a business, like there are no other options.”
If you could only perform one lift or exercise for the rest of your life, where would you get the most bang for your buck?
I would have to pick two movements, the cluster (clean and a thruster combined) and muscle-ups.
On Saturdays, CueFit members can bring friends and family to participate in the “partner-WOD” for free.
“I know it seems like putting your unborn child up for adoption but it is useful to understand this for your long-term strategy. If you change the plan later, so be it, but all plans must have an exit strategy. You won’t want to be there forever.”
How important is diet to overall fitness and do any of you follow a specific one?
Some of it depends on the outcome you are looking for. I see people eat like shit and are still able to come to the gym and move well and even have great endurance. But if you want to see your hard work pay off in the form of visible abs, then diet is paramount. I personally, for the most part, don't eat dairy or gluten and have been reducing my meat intake over the last couple of years. Lots of vegetables and healthy fats, and if I supplement protein I do so with pea protein.
If you were mentoring a first-time entrepreneur and could only give them one piece of advice, what would it be?
Slow down. I see it regularly with entrepreneurs - we get excited about projects and look to take action as soon as possible. I say if it is a good idea today it will be a good idea next week, month, or even year. Premeditate as much as possible. In this pre-planning make sure you have an exit strategy. I know it seems like putting your unborn child up for adoption but it is useful to understand this for your long-term strategy. If you change the plan later, so be it, but all plans must have an exit strategy. You won't want to be there forever.
If you were training a typical Seattle adult who works a 9-5 and wants to stay in shape into old age, what is the best piece of advice you could give them?
Don't go too hard, you have to understand your personal threshold and work to and past your personal limits. If you do too much too quickly you will get hurt or burnt out, neither of which is sustainable. If you want to work out five days a week don't go HAM every day - stay moving but give your body a chance to recover and increase strength.
What is the most indispensable piece of software or digital tool that you use?
We must have our main CRM that is a necessary part of our business, but even it is dispensable. The company that built out the software is not improving it much now to meet the marketplace so we will eventually have to switch.
Can you share any secrets to building camaraderie and community?
Be the friend that shows the people around you what is possible and what they are capable of. Most people go around thinking that they can't do one thing or another and from my experience, they are usually wrong, at least once they turn their thinking around.
You decided to drop the CrossFit affiliation. What was the motivation behind that? I’d imagine it brings some people in the door, but also comes with a connotation of its own that possibly detest potential clients who have pre-conceived notions of that brand.
Dropping the CrossFit affiliation was a big decision for us but mandatory for us to grow over time. We found that we were unique to ourselves and not the same as most CrossFit gyms. Also, we figured the $3,000 it costs annually to maintain the affiliation would be better served going back into the gym itself.
Fill in the blank!
When not at work I’m hanging with my wife and dogs, or maybe playing some tennis.
Hopefully, nothing keeps me up at night, I have been majorly focusing on getting adequate sleep (it's an ongoing challenge).
Carmelo's Tacos is the best-kept secret in Seattle.
Molly Moons is grossly overrated.
Eating at home is grossly underrated.
Follow the CueFit team:
902 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134