Success Story: Prairie Fitness

Prairie Fitness – Bowman 2017

In 2013, Jennifer Wade began renting a gym facility to start her adventures in small business ownership.  An opportunity to grow a business model that had potential, as well as the availability of a location and equipment in an area Jennifer felt passionate about, was too hard to pass up.  Prairie Fitness opened its doors in June of 2013.  The SBDC was able to help Jennifer with a business plan, specifically in areas of scheduling and marketing.

Prairie Fitness offered a variety of group classes as well as personal training.  Jennifer was a certified trainer and also employed additional trainers to help provide a variety in availability and classes.

As with any business, however, it was evident that change would come quickly to Prairie Fitness.  The owner of the initial location was looking to sell the property,y and Jennifer wasn’t sure that was exactly the investment she wanted to make for her business.  The Bowman Lodge and Convention Center was in the planning stages when Jennifer contacted them about the potential of creating a space for Prairie Fitness within their new facility in Bowman.  The collaboration helped to solidify a new location for Prairie Fitness.  Jennifer was able to create a gym that she had envisioned, including new equipment, showers, lockers, and a mirrored group fitness area.  In July of 2015, Prairie Fitness moved into the new facility.

Since the addition of the new facility and general expansion of the business, Prairie Fitness has added two additional trainers for group fitness classes, created events like an annual Turkey Trot, and a rotating schedule.  In the rural region of SW North Dakota, a facility like this is of great benefit to the area, and Jennifer continues to create an atmosphere that brings people in.