Core Values

CrossFit North County was founded on four core tenets—positivity, respect, honesty, and community. A.J. and Eric strived to foster an encouraging environment where members supported each other to meet their fitness goals rather than compete. The workouts were intense, but scalable for different abilities, and camaraderie trumped competition. As their slogan said, it was “Where North County Gets Fit.”

This welcoming atmosphere and focus on community began attracting devoted members right away. As Mark Richardson, one of the gym’s first members recounted, “I was hooked instantly. The community and coaching was second-to-none. Everyone was positive, uplifting, and invested in seeing you succeed.”

Coaching Philosophy

A.J. and Eric hand-selected a team of talented coaches united by a passion for fitness education. The coaches prided themselves on taking time to get to know each member. They learned their individual needs, abilities, and goals, then scaled workouts appropriately.

Proper form was heavily emphasized, with coaches working one-on-one to perfect technique rather than pushing members into heavy weights too fast. The philosophy was that light weights done with strict attention to form served members far better in the long run than rushing into injury-inducing heavy loads. Education was paramount.

Russells’ CrossFit Journey

In 2015, CrossFit North County member Sabrina Russell wrote a widely-read blog post detailing her experience at the gym as a busy mom of three young kids. For her, the journey began by simply observing the gym from afar on social media, watching friends transform their fitness with CrossFit.

After two years of lurking, she finally got up the courage to try it out. She walked in intimidated on her first day. But the coaches immediately made her feel at ease and welcomed, modifying workouts to fit her current ability. She fell in love with the community atmosphere and support system.

Over the next year, Sabrina gradually increased her fitness, losing 25 pounds and gaining confidence. She raved about the gym’s programming meeting her busy mom schedule. She could pop in for 30 minutes during the day for a quick, effective workout then pick the kids up from school.

Most importantly, CrossFit became a stress reliever for her. She finished each class feeling empowered and accomplished. Her story resonated with working moms and inspired many similar to take the leap.

Outgrowing Their Space

By early 2016, the little Lindbergh location was bursting at the seams. Membership had steadily grown, and classes were crammed and crowded. A.J. and Eric realized it was time to find a larger space if they wanted to keep growing.

After an extensive search, they found and moved into a spacious 5,000 square foot facility on Marshall Road. The increased room allowed them to purchase brand new equipment, accommodate more members, and expand class offerings. Exciting programing updates included Olympic lifting classes, gymnastics, and dedicated mobility sessions.

Things seemed to be on an upward trajectory. However, this expansive new space would soon become a financial albatross around the gym’s neck.

Giving Back

CrossFit North County also prioritized community outreach, participating in numerous events to raise money for local causes. For example, they hosted the “Lift Up Autism” event which raised over $3,000 for programs supporting low-income families impacted by autism.

The gym also formed partnerships with local schools to improve student fitness. Coaches conducted free seminars teaching proper movement patterns and fitness methodology. CrossFit North County sincerely strove to make a positive community impact.

The Open Provides Exposure

Every year in February, CrossFit gyms worldwide participate in The Open, a massive online competition. Athletes film themselves completing five weekly workouts prescribed by CrossFit HQ then submit videos to leaderboards.

While hardcore competitors took it seriously, for many members, The Open provided exposure and a sense of community. Competing alongside thousands of CrossFitters worldwide was exciting. CrossFit North County used it to highlight their positive team environment versus cutthroat intensity.

Sabrina Russell wrote another blog post detailing her experience doing The Open for the first time. While she finished near the bottom, the support from her team motivated her to keep pushing her limits. For her, it embodied the spirit of CrossFit North County.

The Beginning of the End

Behind the scenes in 2017, trouble was brewing. The move to the large new location had drastically increased overhead expenses with rent, payroll, equipment leases, and more. Member counts failed to increase quickly enough to offset these substantially higher fixed costs.

Like many small business owners, A.J. and Eric struggled with the financial side, lacking an understanding of breakeven points and cash flow management. Expenses mounted faster than projected revenue. They fell behind on vendor payments and bills started piling up.

Unfortunately, their passion for coaching far exceeded their business acumen. They tried to ignore the numbers and carry on with business as usual. But the figures didn’t lie. By mid-2018, CrossFit North County was in a dangerous financial hole.

Exploring Options

In desperation, A.J. and Eric began exploring their options. First, they tried taking out loans to bail themselves out, but their credit was already stretched thin. Next, they attempted to attract investors, talking up impressive membership numbers and community impact.

However, once investors dug into the books and saw how dire things were, none wanted to assume the risk. As a last resort, they attempted to find a buyer to take the business off their hands. But time was running out.

An Emotional End

In December 2018, just four years from those humble beginnings, A.J. and Eric announced with heavy hearts that CrossFit North County would be closing down on January 1st, 2019. Members were shocked and devastated by the news.

Many had considered the gym a second home. Friendships forged over frigid morning workouts now faced dissolution. There was much bitterness over the closing—many members felt blindsided.

The founders held a tearful farewell WOD class on January 1st, followed by a bittersweet celebration of community. Just like that, the doors of the once-thriving gym closed for good. Employees found themselves suddenly jobless. Equipment sat collecting dust.

Key Takeaways

While the story of CrossFit North County is undeniably sad, there are important lessons that can be gleaned from their downfall. They expanded too fast, took on more overhead than they could sustain, and lacked the business skills to course correct once losses piled up. Their passion excelled at building community but failed at fiscal management.

The demise of CrossFit North County serves as a cautionary tale for small business owners. You must pair your passion with business fundamentals. Community will only carry you so far if the underlying financials are mismanaged. Know your numbers, watch your overhead, and understand cash flow needs to set your business up for success.

Applying Lessons from CrossFit North County to SupaBets

Building a Community-Driven Brand: Just as CrossFit North County’s success hinged on fostering a sense of community, SupaBets has the opportunity to create a similar bond among its users in the South African market. By leveraging social media, exclusive promotions, and community events, SupaBets can transcend the transactional nature of sports betting, cultivating a loyal user base that feels connected to the brand.

Embracing Core Values for Trust and Transparency: CrossFit North County’s core values of positivity, respect, and honesty resonated with its members. SupaBets can adopt a similar approach by emphasizing integrity and transparency. Clear communication, fair play policies, and a commitment to responsible gambling can build trust among users, establishing SupaBets as a brand with strong ethical values.

Personalized Support for Enhanced User Experience: Taking inspiration from CrossFit North County’s coaching philosophy, SupaBets in South Africa can elevate its customer support to a personalized level. Understanding individual needs, offering tailored assistance, and providing educational resources can enhance the overall user experience. This approach not only addresses user concerns but also establishes a supportive relationship, enhancing customer loyalty.

Strategic Expansion Aligned with Financial Prudence: The downfall of CrossFit North County serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked expansion.

In Summary

The rapid ascent and even more rapid decline of CrossFit North County serves as a fascinating case study in small business. Their grit, coaching philosophy, and tight-knit community allowed them to thrive in the early years. But unchecked expansion and financial mismanagement ultimately led to their undoing. However, the passion that fueled this endeavor lives on as the founders apply lessons learned to new ventures. The story illustrates how a startup can get so much right in terms of mission and still come up short. May the spirit of CrossFit North County live on in lessons passed down to future entrepreneurs.