Small fitness business going from strength to strength

The company has set aside Bt3 million to open the next Pure Pure Fitness centre, which will be located in Pattaya.
Half of the investment budget will come from its cash flow, and the remainder in the form of a loan approved by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand and guaranteed by Thai Credit Guarantee Corp, managing director Nopphapsorn Rattanasirisak, 43, said during an interview with The Nation.
“Demand for fitness centres in Chon Buri has grown strongly, from both Thais and foreigners who live and work in the province, as a result of which we decided to expand our investment with a second branch,” she said.
This will boost the company’s annual revenue from Bt3.6 million to more than Bt7 million, she said.
The company’s current exercise space covers only 200 square metres, which is enough to support its existing customers, who number about 400, but leaves no room for an expanded membership.
“Our customers have been asking for more space and more services, so we decided to invest in a second branch located close to the current one. It will be opened later this year,” she explained.
Napphapsorn took over the fitness business five years ago when the former owner – a friend of hers – wanted to move into another line of business.
The Bt150,000 she spent on acquiring the business came from her husband’s jewellery business.
“I had never previously done business by myself, as I was a housewife and helped my husband run his business. But I decided to take up my own business challenge when taking over the fitness centre from my friend in 2010,” she said.
Despite the sector being highly competitive because of the presence of several fitness-centre chains, her business has managed to increase its membership from 100 when she took it over to around 400 now, largely because the company offers a monthly membership for just Bt600, which is lower than its rivals, she said.
Meanwhile, for those customers not wishing to take out a membership, the cost is Bt50 per hour or Bt100 per day.
“Our challenge is to continue to offer customers the same service as other fitness centres, but at a lower fee. This has been the key to our success and expansion since 2010,” she said.