Mackk Fitness goes digital to help clients build sustainable movement practices

Growing up, Mackk Fitness founder Mary Musisi’s mom always told her opportunities exist when you can’t find what you’re looking for. So when Musisi, her partner and her child relocated from Brampton to St. Catharines and she couldn’t find a fitness studio willing to let her train her clients there, she saw an opportunity.

“(Every studio) was like, no, we don't do that out here,” says Musisi. “It was like the universe telling me I definitely need to open a space to offer it for other people who are coming out here looking to teach their classes or run health workshops.”

So in February 2023, she launched her Mackk Fitness focusing on functional training that engages multiple muscle groups and lasting mobility and creating space for other fitness instructors like her. A big part of her business is helping promote healthy habits for people with substance use disorders. “I looked at different ways that I would be able to open my studios to be able to provide that.”

Regardless of the client, training is about sustainability.

“I don't believe in doing things as a temporary solution for your health,” says Musisi. “We want this for the long haul.”

She didn’t want her clients to have to rely on in-person training to meet their goals and stay healthy. Around the time she was figuring out how to make that happen, she found out about Digital Main Street, a program combining grants and one-to-one support from the Province of Ontario alongside partners to help main street businesses strengthen their online capabilities and plan for the digital future.

Through the program’s $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant, Musisi was able to invest in a system for clients to access their exercises online and book classes.

“The booking system was a huge thing for me because our studio is appointment only so people can't come walk off the street to access it,” she said.

Musisi put a QR code on the door that interested locals could scan and book a session or find out more about the studio.

Musisi admits that marketing isn’t her strong suit so the training modules allowed her to learn more about how to increase Mackk Fitness’s digital presence and get more clients through things like digital marketing and SEO. It was critical given that Musisi has had to rebuild her entire client base since moving to St. Catharines.

“There's information that I still use to this day,” says Musisi. “We started a group of BIPOC women entrepreneurs (in the area) and I provide this information to them and they’re like ‘wow, I never knew this’… it’s so important.”

She says she often asks clients how they heard about her and it’s almost always social media ads or the QR code on the front door.

“(Digital Main Street) helped us get known here which was really big, especially when you're just starting out in a new place.”

It’s a slow build but Musisi is finding her dedicated group of clients and creating space for other entrepreneurs like her to build their fitness businesses.

“Digital Main Street hugely changed the success of my business,” says Musisi.

Learn more about Mackk Fitness on their website, Facebook, and Instagram. 

Learn more about how Digital Main Street can support your small business sur ce site.