Community Highlights: Meet Kimberly Kirkpatrick of 9Round Fitness MO

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Kirkpatrick.

Hi Kimberly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
Our journey as business owners started roughly 10 years ago when my husband’s health and wellness became a real priority to him due to some health concerns. He began to change his lifestyle by starting a fitness routine and making healthy dietary choices. As his health was changing for the better, he became passionate about fitness. This passion led to a calling to help others transform their lives through fitness. Clint comes from a family of entrepreneurs, so he wasn’t as nervous about leaving a secure and steady career and income to open a new business. I on the other hand was very apprehensive, Mainly because we were now parents to 3 children under the age of 5 and depended solely on his income. But after much consideration and prayer, we decided to take this leap of faith and open our first 9Round Fitness. This was one of the first hard seasons in our lives as small business owners. Growing a new business takes a lot of work. Learning to balance work and family, and finances with little to no other income is tough. But in this season, my husband’s “failing isn’t an option” attitude and my desire to be a supportive wife and partner helped us to become not just partners in life, but also teammates, as we worked toward the same goals of growing our business and raising our family. Slowly our business began to grow, and so did our children. Clint and I learned how to work together, taking care of business at home and in the gym, and we began to grow our team. We connected to others in the community and felt that we were positively impacting those around us. Things were going well. We had made it past the critical 5-year point with an amazing team of trainers, steady and loyal members, and we had built a real family within our gym.

Things changed when the pandemic hit. As with many other small businesses, we were forced to make many difficult decisions that affected our staff, members, and family. This was another very difficult season for my husband and me and our business. We did our best to adapt to keep the business alive, but much had to be sacrificed. Clint left his role as a partner within the gym and took on other work as I transitioned into my new role as sole owner/operator. My motto became “one day at a time.” Things were hard. Life was hard. The business needed help. As any other gym owner would tell you, the pandemic hit us hard. But we had such strong ties to the community, and our members needed us to keep fighting. I learned to lean on my faith even more as I was stretched and pulled in uncomfortable ways. “I can do hard things” was becoming my new motto. The last 10 years of small business ownership and life look like a rollercoaster. I have learned and am still learning to embrace the lows as well as the highs, as it is in the lows that strength and character are built. I am incredibly grateful for this 9-round family and all the life journeys and transformations we have been blessed to be a part of as it is in those highs that the lows are worth it.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting and growing a meaningful business takes a lot of work. There have been many challenges over the last 10 years. The first was getting our new business up and running. We grew our name and reputation through positive and good word of mouth. The toll owning/operating a business can take on family life must be mentioned. Clint and I had to learn how to create and nurture a partnership in all areas of life, including home, family, finances, and work. It hasn’t always been easy, but we have grown closer because of the struggles, and our faith has also grown. Our children have had a front-row seat to how dad and mom have worked together and taken on these challenges, which has been good. Adapting to changes from the pandemic has probably been the toughest challenge over the last 3 years. We continue to roll with the punches. The help and support from our family, friends, staff, and members has allowed us and our business to continue to make an impact.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about 9Round Fitness MO?
At 9Round Fitness, we specialize in life transformation. Our goal is to offer our clients a welcoming and encouraging environment to help them reach their health and wellness goals. We offer HIIT and personal training in a small group setting with a 30-minute workout that changes daily. Our program is fast-paced, and the block schedule trainer-led hours work with busy schedules so our clients can come when it is most convenient for them. We have always been extremely proud of the community that we have created among our clients and coaches. The staff at 9Round gets to know each member individually and helps them work toward their goals while providing a space to help relieve stress, get fit and healthy, and grow new relationships. We take the guesswork out of working out by offering cardio, strength training, core strengthening, boxing, and kickboxing. A 9Round certified trainer is always there to help guide, coach and challenge our members daily. We offer personalized nutrition as well as heart rate training with our memberships. And most importantly, we offer a community of people that care about one another.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First and foremost, the glory goes to God. Throughout this journey, he has been in every high and every low. His plan is always best even when in the moment it doesn’t feel that way. My husband, Clint, deserves so much recognition for building a business and environment that has changed lives and whose legacy will last long after the building does. So many thanks go to our families, who have supported us in many ways. They have been there to listen, offer advice, and help whenever we need it. Many of our trainers who have poured into our members over the years have become lifelong friends and played a large role in our success. They have made a difference in the lives of many members. Our members, the lifeblood of the gym, have been beyond incredible. They have supported us and repeatedly reminded us why we do what we do. I feel it is also important to thank my tribe. I have had 3 close friends to lean on, laugh with, and vent to, and I am super grateful for them. Thank you for allowing us to share your stories and lives.

Pricing:

• Starts at $99 a month

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.9round.com/locations/mo/independence/us-40-hwy
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9roundindependencemo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/9round19321EUS40HighwayIndependenceMO
• Twitter: 9Round Independence Mo

Image Credits
Amy Lee Photo