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GFB ManufacturingHealth Flex Fitness

Flatwoods, KY

Owner:  Kevin Sergent
Center: Ashland SBDC

In June 2005, Ashland native Kevin Sergent contacted the Ashland SBDC about applying for a business loan. He and his wife, Susan, had purchased some land in Flatwoods, KY and hoped to construct and open a fitness center. Kevin’s background includes serving time in the military, law enforcement, and business/industry. He has always been passionate about helping others achieve their physical fitness goals.

Although Kevin had a B.S. degree in Business Management, he still needed additional advice and guidance. The Ashland SBDC has been offering such services free-of-charge in downtown Ashland for more than 25 years. Kevin provided a copy of his drafted business plan for review. He was provided with additional outlines, information, and worksheets so they could begin drafting financial data for SBDC review. In the weeks that followed, Ashland SBDC Management Consultant, Kim Jenkins, worked with Kevin to develop his 3-year cash flow/profit-loss financial projections, discuss loan options, and answer questions he had about the business loan process.

Inside Health Flex Fitness

Kevin Sergent, Co-owner

During this time, Kevin and his wife considered moving away from the Ashland area to pursue career interests elsewhere. This put his dream of business ownership on hold for a year or so. However, when they decided not to move, Kevin contacted the Ashland SBDC office again in November 2005 to finalize his business loan proposal.

Within a few weeks, everything was ready to submit (loan application, business plan, financial projections, etc…) for loan consideration. With Ashland SBDC assistance and Kevin’s hard work, he was approved for a commercial loan in January 2006. He spent the next year clearing the land, excavating, constructing the fitness center, purchasing equipment, and overcoming problems with zoning and code enforcement.

When the project was complete, Kevin contacted the Ashland SBDC to announce the grand opening of his business, Health Flex Fitness, on January 20, 2007. During his first month of operation, Kevin sold $15,000 in fitness center memberships. His 5,200 square feet facility offers state-of-the-art cardio and resistance equipment, free weights, personal training, personalized workout programs, nutritional supplements and men’s and women’s locker rooms with showers.