Article appeared in the Herald dated 18th November
PLYMOUTH fitness trainer Alex Smith hasn’t let redundancy get him down – the 24-year-old will launch an online physical training business this Christmas.
Mr Smith’s Physical Empire web service is designed to help people improve their fitness in their own homes.
The website will contain online fitness training, advice on general health topics, weight loss tips, muscle building techniques, and even fitness plans with up-to-date information.
Mr Smith, who has been helped by business start up organisation Outset Plymouth, was one of many new Plymouth businesses which helped to launch this week’s Plymouth Enterprise Week.
He has been heralded as an example of the entrepreneurial spirit needed to take Plymouth’s economy forward. Mr Smith, said: “I was made redundant early this year and got myself into a rut. I knew I wanted the freedom to make my own decisions, and the only way I could do that, was to set up my own business.”
“I contacted Outset Plymouth this summer and started immediately on their programme. I wanted to get the best advice on starting my own keep fit business, especially in this difficult economic climate the city is now in.”
“Crucially, the help and support is free. The Outset Plymouth team is still working with me to help make my new business go live. He added: “I am outgoing, passionate about fitness and people’s health. Keeping fit and being healthy through regular exercising, and eating nutritiously is very important.”
Mr Smith came to Plymouth in 2005 from Nottingham, to study for a media arts degree at the University of Plymouth. he has previously worked in a string of jobs in retail, sales and security. Outset Plymouth is part of YTKO, a national provider of intensive start-up support, enterprise coaching, and mentoring for budding businesses.
It is funded by European cash from the ERDF Competitiveness and Employment programme, which invests in activities that will have a long-term impact on the growth and develop of the city’s economy.
Kevin Kelway, Marketing Executive at Outset Plymouth, said: “Alex is an inspiration and his new business is looking to be a global online service. He recently completed his last business session at Outset Plymouth, but is still getting business mentoring support.”
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