We recently interviewed a young and ambitious ex-student of ours Florica Fabian, who completed our Level 2 & 3 training course. Prior to starting her course, she was a business owner but had plans to enter the fitness industry as a personal trainer. Here we find out a bit more about her and her goals, as well as how she found the course.
Who is Florica Fabian, tell us something interesting about yourself?
I am a 24 years old who moved to UK on my own at the age of 20 in search of better opportunities, after completing accountancy at school.
Right now, I am running my own business, a cosy little café where I make a beautiful jacket potato! The only time I cook is when I am at work, but in my spare time I also do haircuts, hair colouring and gelled nails.
How did you get into running your own business?
When I came to the UK in 2014, the first job I did was waitressing in a coffee shop in Finsbury Park, but I kept changing jobs. One day, my boss at the time was asked if he wanted to own a new café that was opening, but he declined. I have been running that business for over a year now. I have run a business in the past before where I managed a café in Cambridge, so I had confidence that I would be successful with this one, and so far it has gone well. What makes it better is that I don’t need to wake up at 2.30am to get to work on time!
Did you have any concerns before enrolling onto the course?
Initially, I was afraid I wouldn’t understand anything as a result of the language barrier, and I was expecting to be in a class full of fitness freaks; worried that I would be out of place.
Why did you want to do the course?
I was putting on weight and so I joined the gym. You could say that I enjoy it more than staying in a café, so then the idea struck me, why not create a business from what I love doing. Plus, the monthly instalment plan was a good option.
How was the course?
It was difficult because of the language barrier and I was working full-time, and also it was something completely different. There was a lot of information to take in and at times it is a challenge balancing work with course work, but the practical part of the course was by far my favourite, I am definitely better suited towards that part than the theory! But I knew that the theory was just as important in order to broaden my knowledge.
What else did you like about the course?
My tutor, Matt Brown. I think he is the best tutor I have ever had! Even I understood things and that’s not easy to get me to do first time! But he was always encouraging when I seemed lost or confused (quite a lot of the time).
How was your class?
My class was interesting, we ranged across the spectrum from the age of 17 to the age of 75. It seemed that the rest of the class knew more than me, but that was okay because they really helped me when I was struggling, which I appreciated, and I made some good friends that I will continue to keep contact with.
Biggest lesson you’ve learnt?
If I want to do something I can actually do it, it is all about improving yourself. I thought that I would be stuck doing the café business forever, but the course helped me to understand that there are other opportunities that I can take advantage of.
What are your plans next?
We have assessment days coming up on 14th April, 20th April (Pure Gym), and 3rd May (Virgin Active).
I will stay with the café for as it is good income for me, but soon I want to go part time and start building a clientele. I would also like to improve my English a little more so I can do personal training full time. I think it is safe to say that I am passionate about fitness and would really like to enter the industry.
Would you recommend the course?
Yes I would! I have some friends who would be just as nervous as I was but I think that they would also be just as successful.
How would you improve the course?
At times I felt there was too much information at one time, but fortunately Matt did a great job helping me understand all the information in a shortspace of time.
Have you heard about our CPDs?
I have heard about it and I think I will do it eventually, in particular the kettlebell course but for now I am going to treat myself to a little break as during the course I had zero days off.
Do you feel that you are getting enough support in finding a job in the fitness industry?
Yes definitely, I have received so many emails through Focus Fitness UK of people offering me a job, however I am being fussy at the moment due to the fact that I am running my own business and don’t want to leave it until I am sure it will be the right opportunity for me.
If you found this post insightful, why not check out some of our previous posts on our blog page or if you are interested in becoming a qualified personal trainer check out our main page for course information. For more information about our blogs and training courses, please email us at info@focusfitnessuk.com.
Written by Daniyal Siddiqui.