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Everyone has a DAY ONE. 

3 Bossy Bees Interview and Blog Post

5/28/2017

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I recently sat down with a friend who is writing a blog series on women-owned businesses. She asked me a lot of questions about how I started this fitness adventure and what caused or ushered along the transitions I have made over the years. We spent a few hours together talking about everything from how our families have grown and what the kids are doing, to how I have weaved my fitness classes and business around this busy life of being a mom, wife, friend, daughter, and sister.

I reflected on what I really enjoy about fitness, owning a business, and how I try and balance that with my family, friendships, and personal time. Talking through the history of how I started was incredibly insightful.  I remembered what inspired me in the beginning  and realized what has changed as I have matured, my kids have gotten older, and new fitness opportunities opened up, like teaching at Duke University and my interest in standup paddleboarding yoga (SUP Yoga).

We talked about my next steps and where I want to take Maria Finnegan Fitness. She asked a lot of questions that I might have been thinking myself, but had not taken the time to consider nor been ready to answer before the interview. Our conversation confirmed a few ideas I had been thinking about and dreaming about.  Like any small business owner however,  ideas often have a way of getting sidelined. One moment I can  really see how to  develop a part of my business that would be useful to my clients and open up a new market, but then I can easily get sidetracked by the everyday routine and responsibilities  and those ideas take a backseat. 

One of the best parts of the discussion was resurrecting some of those ideas that have been patiently waiting in the wings.  I want to  strengthen the areas that I really enjoy about Maria Finnegan Fitness and start developing new aspects to my business that I have wanted to bring to fruition. The core of my business will always remain the joy, fun, and motivation I see in my clients and students. My enthusiasm for fitness has always been about the people and confidence that evolves from discovering our inner strength.  
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 Take a moment and read the interview on 3bossybees.com and you will get a glimpse of how my fitness business started in Hillsborough and how I have expanded into the Triangle offering SUP Yoga to clients and businesses. You will learn what some of my challenges are as a small business owner and also, more importantly, the successes. 
 
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It started with two boards....(a brief SUP "herstory" in 200 words)

5/7/2017

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Actually...it started with a Groupon and
my friend Jen. 
2013.  
​She said. “Wanna try this SUP thing?”
“Sure.” I said.   
75 minutes.  SUP rental.  
Lake Wheeler. Raleigh. 
Blue sky. Calm water. Balance.  
Totally and completely hooked.
Love at first paddle.

​Fast forward to Christmas.  
Santa brought me two boards. 
Must’ve been really well-behaved that year.  
2014. Practiced. Researched.  
SUP combined everything I love.
Yoga. Water. Balance. Strength. Activity. Stillness.
“I have to share this with others.”  
Family. Friends. Students. 
Small classes.  Full classes.  Unique.
Nobody else teaching it around here.  
“I am meant to share this with others.”  

Certifications.  Jen and I went to Austin, TX.  
WPA paddle instructor. Fitness Onboard.  
SUP fit well with all my yoga and
group fitness certifications.
Ready.   

Investment.  10 SUP ATX boards.  HUGE step. 
Small trailer.  The garage is full.
Understanding husband.  :-)
Indoors classes.  Bigger outdoors classes.
Jordan Lake. Chapel Hill. Pittsboro. Hillsborough. Greater Triangle area. 
Word spreading.  

2015. Added SUP Fitness to my Duke courses. 
2016. Private bookings. Moms’ groups.  
Parties. Community classes. 
Corporate events. Staff retreats.  

More growth.  Added 8 more boards.  
​Ack!  How to transport? 
2017.
​14-foot trailer.  This just got real friends.  
Excited.  2017 season is here. 
Sharing the #SUPlove ​one paddle at a time. 


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    Maria Finnegan

    Welcome and thank you for visiting this site. I'm happy and grateful to have a place where I can write about fitness and wellness. In addition to blogging about exercise and sharing workouts, I  also use this space to tell 200-word stories about the inspiring and amazing people I encounter in this career. I look forward to sharing as many of these journeys as possible, and would love to hear from you if you would like me to tell your story. You can contact me anytime. Thank you so much for your interest and your effort. Think fit...be fit...stay fit! You are stronger than you think. #STYT

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