“Our brand is our culture. I’ve run into a lot of people in my time that have gone to different gyms, and then they come to train with me,” explained Vic Lashley, co-founder of Southpaw Gym. By Elice Morgenson
A gym concept that meets people where they are
“Our brand is our culture. I’ve run into a lot of people in my time that have gone to different gyms, and then they come to train with me,” explained Vic Lashley, co-founder of Southpaw Gym. “They tell me that they didn’t know many of the things I teach them, so I ask them what they do know, and then we break it down to the basics to build a better foundation.”
For Vic and Stephanie Lashley, husband-and-wife team and owners of Southpaw Gym, their authentic teaching of boxing and martial arts has become the center of a much wider community. A no-frills gym, Southpaw focuses on educating clients about the proper technique and fundamentals, giving many members confidence and drive they did not have before. Everyone who enters Southpaw Gym becomes part of a community that offers support and motivation inside and outside the gym.
“The way I teach someone is to talk to them, tell them who I am and relate to them. Southpaw is not just about teaching the art form; it is about bringing it to life. I tell them, ‘I will teach you something about life,’” Vic said.
The Lashleys meet people where they are, and that stands true for prospective franchisees, too. While clients receive the same knowledgeable insight and expertise of certified trainers no matter what Southpaw Gym they walk into, franchisees have the ability to select the equipment their gym will have as well as the square footage of the location, depending on their investment level.
“We are here to teach an authentic form of boxing, and the look of the gym will fit those needs,” Vic said. “We will work with you to determine what you are looking to do with your gym. A lower investment level might have a floor-level ring or no ring at all. A higher investment might have an elevated ring with a cage. A larger gym will have more square footage and be able to handle larger classes and more practice bags.”
Whether the gym is 2,300 square feet or 5,000 square feet, Stephanie stressed the importance of being involved with the local community. “We not only teach the business to the franchisees, but we also want to bring the culture. We are not your typical gym. When someone comes in asking for information, we don’t just hand them a pamphlet and send them on their way. We are personally invested in the success of everyone we meet. It is not just the training that is important; it is also the relationships we build,” she said.
The Lashleys are excited to bring on new franchisees and described the essential skills needed to run a Southpaw Gym. “While it would be ideal for an owner to already be a boxing or martial arts coach, we will help our franchisees hire the right instructors to teach our classes. There are a lot of great boxing and martial arts coaches out there. First and foremost, though, you have to love people to own a Southpaw. You have to have love and compassion for people,” Stephanie said.
Elice Morgenson