Hidden Gems: Meet Joy Hagerman of Goddess Maker Fitness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Hagerman.

Hi Joy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
My name is Joy Hagerman, and I’m the owner of Goddess Maker Fitness, a women’s gym opening soon in Overland Park Kansas. After having been in the fitness industry for years and always working in other people’s gyms, this year was the first time, I seriously considered what it would look like for me to open my own space.

On a Friday night early in March, I met up for some queso and margaritas with a group of girlfriends and it was all we could talk about. We tossed around a multitude of names, but when “Goddess Maker” was suggested, we all knew it was the one (A goddess maker is an exercise complex made up of several exercises all put together – pushup, renegade row, squat thruster, reverse lunge – and it’s an exercise we love to hate).

And I’ve never looked back since. I immediately started researching and setting up meetings with gym owners, and it was like trying to get a drink out of a fire hose. There was just so much that I didn’t know (and still don’t). But I have the most amazing support group of women surrounding me and we just keep pushing forward, one step after the other.

We finally signed a lease in mid-August, and our building is in the midst of being finished. It was the first property we looked at, and it just ended up being the best option for us. The location is fantastic and it’s the perfect size for what we are wanting to offer the ladies of Overland Park. We are almost ready to start painting the walls, so we are in the home stretch.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been completely smooth. The whole reason I initially started thinking about opening my own gym was that I believe in creating a community of like-minded women who work to build each other up and rise together. My previous employer did not embody this vision and values.

Yet again, the group of women who know me (and all the women who I had not told about my plans) rallied around and lifted me up. They knew me well enough to recognize the lies, and while it is always upsetting to hear the things being said about you, they were there to keep me grounded and focused on moving forward.

As you know, we’re big fans of Goddess Maker Fitness. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a gym where women feel free to fully be themselves while improving their health. A place where all sizes are welcome and everyone feels loved and supported. We are owned and operated by women and cater exclusively to women.

We provide a sanctuary for women to find their inner tenacity, increase their physical strength, and improve their mental health.

Our monthly membership includes:

– No contracts
– Free babysitting
– Weekly support group meetings led by a licensed therapist
– Classes (strength, cardio, dance, yoga)
– Personal training
– Free nutrition consultation with a certified nutritionist
– Prenatal & Postpartum Specialization
– Monthly social events outside of the gym
– Retail shopping from local vendors & makers
– Community like no other

I am also very proud of the personal training model we have created. In most gyms, the trainer gets a small portion of the fee charged, and the gym takes the lion’s share. Having been in that position, it can feel very hopeless to ever get ahead or make enough for a living without working crazy long hours.

So, we are turning that model on its head so the trainers keep the majority of their fee and pay the gym a small portion. I love this because it empowers each trainer to bet on themselves while building their business however they want to.

We have the option for established trainers to just come in and start training, but also a mentoring program for new trainers who would like to benefit from the experience of more seasoned trainers. I love that we are able to not only empower members physically, emotionally, mentally but also trainers and instructors in their careers.

We are dedicated to increasing the confidence, strength, and positive mental health of every woman that walks through our front door.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
We plan to continue expanding our services and offerings for women of all ages with community outreach, events, and programs. We want to continually empower the women in our area to be stronger, more confident, as they strive to be the best version of themselves. That kind of amazing energy cannot be contained — it spreads and grows outside of our own life to touch the lives of those around us. It has been proven that strong women improve the community around them, and that is exactly what we hope to do for our area over the next decade.

Pricing:

• $50 one-time signup fee
• $50/mo recurring Membership fee
• $10/mo Run Club fee

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.goddessmakerfitness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goddessmakerfitness/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoddessMakerFitness

Image Credits
Marissa Cribbs