Lexis Bauer opened CrossFit Port Clinton in June of 2021. Located in Port Clinton, Ohio, the affiliate’s foundation is built on culture, community, and coaching. Keep reading to learn more about the challenges and successes Bauer has experienced, and what makes CrossFit Port Clinton unique.
What is the best decision you’ve made as an affiliate owner?
Allowing our coaches to take ownership! It was hard for us at first to give up time at the gym, but allowing them to be a part of decisions and ideas has been an integral part of our growth. It also keeps us from burning out and keeps us excited to go to work each day!
If you had an extra $1,000 each month in your budget, what would you use it for? If you had to reduce your expenses by $1,000 each month, what would you cut?
CrossFit Port Clinton
If we had an extra $1,000 each month in our budget, we would use it for professional development for our coaches — to make them even better than they already are and help them receive more certifications. We would also buy more equipment, such as rowers and bike ergs. If we had to reduce our budget, we would spend less on professional photos and videos.
Tell us about one of your proudest moments as an affiliate owner.
My proudest moment as an affiliate owner has been starting Expanding Horizons (youth probation program).
I remember sitting at Rogue in 2021 at a CrossFit affiliate conference Dale King presented to District 9. Among all the wonderful speakers there, one speaker completely stood out to me: Matt Shindeldecker, owner of CrossFit Crave. He spoke of CrossFit Crave’s Expanding Horizons program, a relationship-based program for youth on probation. I remember looking at my business partner, who just so happens to be my husband, Brett Bauer, and saying we need to do this in our city.
Being a former teacher, I knew how one positive community could completely change the trajectory of a troubled youth’s life. I knew youth on probation needed a safe and welcoming environment. I knew CrossFit Port Clinton could be that.
I was instantly messaging Debbie Wagner (CrossFit Affiliate Strategy Specialist) after the conference. I was relentless. In the winter of 2021, I finally received a call, which changed our affiliate for the best.
Do you have any tips for other affiliate owners?
For being a newer affiliate, I think our biggest advice is to invest in your members and coaches. If you invest in them, they will invest in you. Additionally, create a culture no other gym can compete with. Our culture at CFPC is one of our highest priorities.
Describe an important point in the growth of your affiliate. When did you feel like you had a good grasp of the business and were on a steady path of growth?
Around eight months into owning our affiliate, we were able to breathe a little and feel comfortable at the place we were at. Our memberships were steadily growing and we felt we had systems in place to help us continuously grow. Those systems are constantly being revised as we feel needed to improve the quality of our gym.
Tell us about an important learning experience. What’s been your biggest mistake?
Our biggest mistake has been not saying no soon enough. Whether that is telling members they aren’t ready to lift more weight, having a conversation with a member who doesn’t fit into our culture, firing a coach, etc. We have learned to trust our instincts and the knowledge we have to guide our decision making.
Can you offer any advice for new affiliate owners?
CrossFit Port Clinton
Own your mistakes and try to do better. Additionally, be transparent. Members don’t need to know everything, but it’s important to be vulnerable with them at times. If you have an affiliate owner drop in to your gym, ask them for any feedback they can give you. We’ve learned a ton by asking this simple question. Several have stayed hours after class to talk shop.
What has surprised you most about owning an affiliate?
We did not realize how much of an impact we truly would make on our community. Additionally, we were pleasantly surprised with how willing other affiliate owners are to offer advice to help us succeed!
What excites you about CrossFit’s future?
The trajectory that CrossFit is on is simply amazing. CrossFit is so much more than a workout, and I think communities around the world are starting to see that with their own eyes. Reaching the different parts of our communities that are often overlooked — such as those in recovery and youth on probation — and creating programs to help support growth for those overlooked citizens, could completely change communities and CrossFit itself.