Student Spotlight: Fitclub Collective
In an interview with The Stork, third year communications student Camila Monguzzi unveils the Fitclub Collective and all the benefits it gives to the students following the lifestyle they teach.
Camila and her partner Laura Rushton have founded a collective attracting tens of motivated students who wish to follow their energetic classes and healthy lifestyle. We were curious to know who was behind this project and what made her strive to become an entrepreneur with a great vision and a considerable ambition.
In the following Q&A, Camila discusses the method used to accomplish this and how The Fitclub Collective went from a project inside of IE to a real business.
Tell me about your current project Fitclub Collective (FCC)
Fitclub is a unique venture. It is a curated offering available to university students seeking to reach their fitness and health goals. We work under three pillars: Fitness, nutrition and motivation. In the fitness domain we combine both indoor and outdoor workouts throughout the year using our own methodology created exclusively for Fitclub. In the nutrition sphere we have associated FitClub with healthy restaurants such as Roots LaMarca, Fitfood, Aloha Poke etc. We also have contracted a nutritionist that will guide our members in terms of eating clean and healthy. Lastly, we believe in forming alliances with like-minded businesses such as Handmade Beauty which is an organic cosmetic brand. We develop these relationships as part of our wholistic service and experience. In terms of motivation we make sure our members stay motivated by constantly keeping them on their feet. We hold healthy brunches, workshops, support groups and reward programs.
How can people participate?
You just need to contact us via our social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin) and really soon, through our official website at www.fitclubcollective.com.
Do you consider FCC a lifestyle project?
Of course, FCC is lifestyle. We create a special calendar for every Fitclub collective season. Our calendar not only includes our workout sessions, but networking events, brunches, workshops and more. Our concept is to build a community that integrates FCC as part of their lifestyle. FCC is your companion, your support group, the one that helps you accomplish your goals and stay committed.
What is your goal for the next year? Continue growing and expanding. We have plans of participating in the Wanderlust Health festival in Madrid this October. In addition, we are planning to move to a bigger space in order to increase the number of members and launch our first capsule collection with a European sport brand. Our goal is that by 2020, we have our own space and our tri-dimensional concept of fitness, nutrition, and motivation all in one.
Does IE provide you with any help?
Not really. At the begging I created the Fitness Club, as part of campus life but due to the success and demand of our program, we decided to establish our business as a private company. IE is currently helping me formalize the legal requirements to become a `Sociedad limitada (S.L.)´
How do other students react to your project?
The reaction has been insane. I never thought this project would grow so fast. I am really happy our members enjoy our classes and our integral concept, I think it was a gap they were looking to fill up, a companion that motivates you to stay healthy and a support group to meet people like you.
What is the next step?
Finalize the Fitplan40 (a forty day transformation plan)
Finalize the process of registering our brand
Launch our official webpage
Organization and planning of FCC 2019 Season 4
Capsule collection design
What have you learned already from this project?
I have learned so much! When it is your own project you never sleep, you are constantly thinking about details, emails, what’s next, brainstorming, etc. I have learned that no business is lineal or static, there are ups and downs, and we have to learn from every experience. Everyday is an adventure, and it’s all about taking risks and giving everything you can to make it work. The key is to always be transparent and consistent in every move.
I heard you’re also an influencer, tell me about it
I have always loved the artistic world. When I was little I was a musical theatre actress in Peru, I did radio locution and even released my own song. Because of this, and the content I like to share, I opened my Instagram account and made it public, so I could motivate and inspire people like me, that have many passions and don’t know where to start. I hope I am helping someone or at least entertaining!
What is your ultimate professional dream?
My ultimate dream will always be to be happy and transmit this happiness to others. Fitclub Collective is only one branch of my tree. I will of course consolidate it in the Spanish market and I have plans to make it a franchise all over the world in top universities, having ambassadors, retreats and forming a global community. Aside of FCC, I want to pursue my artistic dreams. I would love to reconnect with the theatre and musical life I had. This will also be a branch of what Camila is, a multidisciplinary concept, as I am a multitasker and our generation has many many talents and passions. I think each one has their time, and we can build our own personal concept one step at a time. Let’s be unique and stand out from the crowd!
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