DANIEL Stevenson’s Two Birds gym that he set up with his dad and brother opened last month. Over the last two years, Daniel has established a loyal following for his motivational training classes and one-on-one coaching sessions. He hopes by opening his own bespoke studio he can encourage busy Scots to exercise.
Name: Daniel Stevenson
Age: 24
Position: Co-founder/director
WHAT’S YOUR BUSINESS CALLED?
Two Birds
WHERE IS IT BASED?
READ MORE: Two Birds Boutique Fitness launch innovative fitness class
WHY DID YOU SET UP THE BUSINESS?
WE opened our doors on March 1.
I was working full-time in digital marketing and doing personal training on the side – it’s my passion.
Me, my brother and my dad set up Two Birds and founded the business together.
My dad founded a social enterprise in Aberdeen – a sports centre for the youth. My brother is a professional trainer too.
We have already built a big community of members.
The brand is born out of the philosophy that you can get fun out of every aspect of life – kill two birds with one stone.
WHAT IS YOUR TARGET MARKET?
ANYTHING from 18-60 but mainly 22 to 45-year-olds and people who have a busy lifestyle, since we are located in the city centre.
It is targeted at people who are trying to fit in exercise and we encourage them to get away from their desk.
Feedback has been really good so far.
It is based around full body workouts and personal training in small groups.
We are seeing good results.
I want members to do classes and yoga once a week – I don’t want them to stick to one thing.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM COMPETING BUSINESSES?
IT is not like a standard commercial gym as we focus on a personal approach.
We know all our members really well and they are given targets.
All members get free coffee which encourages them to hang around after.
It is a lifestyle brand too – going to the gym is not the be all and end all.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE SO FAR?
MAYBE the competition – it is a really competitive sector so you need to differentiate yourself.
Also it is hard to get Scottish people to adopt exercise.
For people in a demanding job exercise is important for physical and mental health.
It is important that message hits home and that they need to find time to get fit.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT RUNNING THE BUSINESS?
THE social aspect – I speak to many members outside the gym.
We also see real results – people are getting fitter and happier in life.
It is a maximum of 14 in a session, so peak-time classes are fully booked which is exciting.
IS SCOTLAND A GOOD PLACE TO RUN A BUSINESS?
THERE is definitely a gap in the market.
We have quite an unhealthy culture in Scotland where we eat a lot of beige foods.
We also have plans for an academy to tackle childhood obesity. There’s a gap particularly in sport as we have so many good Scottish athletes and getting them on board is key.
WHERE DO YOU HOPE THE BUSINESS WILL BE IN 10 YEARS’ TIME?
THE brand has huge potential to grow worldwide as we also have clothing and drinks products.
We have two yoga instructors who work for us on a freelance basis. The studio will need more staff when we reach full capacity with members.
We have all invested our own money into the business.
In the next five years we want to have a new studio in Scotland so we might need investment from banks.
We are also looking to franchise the business.
It is a boutique fitness studio and we eventually want to have more than five in the UK.
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