7 News Belize

Enterprising Young Woman Starts Up Her Own Fitness Business
posted (January 11, 2012)
For the population between the ages of 18 and 34, unemployment figures are frighteningly high.

Indeed, many educated young persons can't find work. But 20 year old Jenna Ferguson didn't wait around for someone to give her a job.

With the help of the Youth business trust, the enterprising young woman started her own business.

It's no small feat - particularly for a young woman - but she told Monica Bodden how she did it:..

Monica Bodden Reporting

Jenna Ferguson - Owner, Faith and Fitness
"I remember always loving exercise and always helping and assisting friends and neighbors to exercise. And one day, this guy and I used work out together at the gym - He's all the way in India right now - We used to work out together, and basically he used to just go to the gym and watch me exercise. He didn't exercise; he would just watch me exercise, doing my Tae Bo and aerobics. Two years down the road, the guy and I ended up working together. He told me, 'What are you doing here working. Go and do your own thing.'"

Jenna Ferguson is a young Belizean woman - who had always dreamt of owning her own Fitness Center. With her determination it didn't take too long for this 20 year old's dream to come true.



Jenna Ferguson
"In February of last year, I resigned from my job, which was pretty awkward, and in April to June, I started planning. I got my business plan together. I approached the Youth Business Trust, and I got all of my information, researched my location, and now I am here. In August of 2011, I launched "Faith and Fitness".

Such a business venture, for this young entrepreneur- couldn't have been made possible without the guidance of the Belize Youth Business Trust - a non-profit organization offering young Belizeans between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five assistance to start their own businesses.

Jenna Ferguson
"They assisted me from the beginning. They financed me with a small loan. They mentored me, and they guided me step by step to help me prepare my business plan. And not only that, the advantage that they have is that after they give you the loan, they give you a mentor for 2 years or more, and they keep you up-to-date - they invite you to seminars. So, it's a process that you go through, and it helps to make young businesses exceed."

So just how is Faith and Fitness doing?

Jenna Ferguson
"It's going great. We've been having clients walking in, calling, texting, and emailing, and it's been picking up since 2011. We have some new intakes for clients. So it's been pretty good."

Monica Bodden
"What are some of the classes that you guys offer?"

Jenna Ferguson
"We offer "Faith Crazy Latin Hips", which is a combination of a variety of different dances such as Salsa, Merenge, Lambada, Cha Cha Cha, Cumbia, even the favorite Tornado that everybody likes from Lovaboy. We do Tae Bo; we do step aerobics in which we use the steppers; aerobics classes; and zumba classes, which is very popular. Right now, we're still doing the salsa zumba; and we're planning to do a little boot camp in exercising as well as belly dancing, water aerobics, and self-defense."

And another one of Jenna's healthy idea is her health bar - where you can grab a cold fruit smoothie of your choice.

You can stop in for one at Mile one and a half on the Northern Highway - just across from the flour Mill where her Fitness Center is located.

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