Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariana Hakman.
Hi Ariana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey began in the fast-paced world of corporate America, specifically in healthcare finance. I thrived in this environment, driven by my love for numbers and the excitement of climbing the corporate ladder. My husband and I were both deeply immersed in our careers, often working 12 to 14-hour days. It was an integral part of our who we were. However, everything changed in October 2014 when we welcomed our daughter, Luna, into the world. Suddenly, the long hours and the grind felt different. I often joke that Luna gave me a heart, but in truth, she transformed my perspective on life. The thought of a nanny raising our daughter while we were constantly at work started to feel uncomfortable. After nine months back in the corporate world without the same drive or passion, I knew it was time for a change. So, I left my job without any idea of what I would do next.
The only other field I had any significant knowledge or training in was fitness and nutrition. At the time, I was also on my own journey to lose weight and get back in shape after pregnancy. This inspired me to help other moms going through similar experiences. That’s how the original LunaFit business was born! I began offering nutrition plans and “mommy and me” fitness classes, often with Luna strapped to me in a Moby wrap. I was able to do something I enjoyed, and LunaFit started to become successful. Seeing this success, my husband Rich, who worked in horticulture, decided he wanted a change too. He was also missing all of our daughters firsts so he joined me in our health and fitness business. Rich, being a hard worker with a knack for growth, saw an opportunity to expand. We bought into a gym, transitioning into the fitness industry full-time. The first gym followed a B2B model, but I missed the direct impact on individuals’ lives. To address this, we opened a second gym in the same strip mall with a B2C model. This venture grew into the 10,000 sq ft health and fitness center we operate today.
At our fitness center, we focus on delivering results through a holistic approach to health. We emphasize not only fitness but also nutrition and accountability. A significant part of our success with clients came from encouraging them to meal prep as a key factor in their fitness journeys. When we couldn’t find a meal prep company that met our standards, we decided to create our own—thus, LunaFit Fresh was born! LunaFit Fresh emerged from our passion for helping people achieve their health and fitness goals.
Our focus is on providing meals with the right portion sizes and macronutrient balance to promote fat loss (high protein, moderate carb, low fat) while ensuring they are delicious and satisfying. Nutrition accounts for 70% – 80% of weight loss results, making it a critical component of our program. Our meals are expertly balanced to provide the optimal macronutrient ratio, supporting fat loss and muscle maintenance. We aim to offer unparalleled convenience by eliminating the time-consuming task of meal prep, giving people and their families valuable time back on their weekends. And we believe healthy food should never be bland, so our meals are designed to be flavorful and enjoyable. Integrating our meal prep service into our clients’ fitness journeys, and offering the support they need to stay on track with their health goals, has been and continues to be an amazing experience.
For my husband and me, LunaFit Fresh also means that we no longer spend our Sundays meal prepping. This time-saving aspect resonates with many of our clients who are balancing busy lives with their health and fitness goals. Through LunaFit Fresh, we continue to transform lives by making healthy eating accessible, convenient, and enjoyable. Our commitment to quality and results has been a huge part of our success, and we are excited to help even more people achieve their health and fitness goals.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Oh my goodness, what a tough question! I think our story is truly a testament to perseverance and the saying, “It’s only failure if you quit.” While it feels like we’ve faced more challenges than most, I suspect all entrepreneurs feel that way! Starting and running a business often involves navigating a multitude of challenges, and our journey has been no exception. We’ve faced many common struggles that new business owners encounter, but we’ve also endured several significant setbacks that have tested our resilience and adaptability.
One of the first major challenges we encountered was the financial state of the gym business we bought into. Despite assurances that it was profitable, we discovered it was actually operating in the red. To make ends meet, we both had to take on additional work as personal trainers, juggling the demands of building a business with the need to generate immediate income.
Our next hurdle came when we decided to expand into the B2C market. We partnered with someone new, and when the going got tough, he abandoned the venture. This forced us to make a significant pivot, rethinking our strategy and operations to keep the business afloat.
Adding to our woes, the city of Altamonte forced us out of our initial space due to parking issues. We had to relocate to the back of our other gym, a move that required extensive remodeling within just a couple of weeks. This upheaval was compounded by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut us down for several months shortly after we had settled into our new location. It felt like a never ending cycle of big hits!
But we really did learn invaluable lessons from each experience. The importance of due diligence, to find like minded, reliable partners, and the ability to pivot quickly when circumstances change. The most important though is really to never quit, the challenges won’t ever stop coming, so you have to be resilient, and face each one with a positive attitude. There is always a solution!
Since those early days, we’ve continued to face new challenges. Rapid growth has led to operational strains, and we have struggled to scale our businesses efficiently. I often wonder if us opening four businesses in 4 years and moving into our own building was too much, but when I look back I don’t know what we would have done differently, because each business was created to meet the needs of our clients and to allow us to support them across their health and fitness needs, which has always been our purpose! Throughout it all, we’ve had to grow not only as business owners but also as individuals and leaders.
These experiences have been tough, but they have also been incredibly instructive. We’ve become better at navigating uncertainty, making strategic decisions under pressure, and leading our team through both good times and bad. Each challenge has strengthened our resolve and deepened our commitment to our vision, preparing us for whatever comes next in our entrepreneurial journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about LunaFit?
At LunaFit, we’re all about changing lives through health and fitness. It’s personal for us since we’re a family-owned business, and everything we do is named after our daughter, making it our legacy. We believe in a holistic approach to wellness, blending fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being in a fun way.
Our fitness center is decked out with the latest gear and offers a variety of classes and fitness options. Our trainers are all about crafting workouts that fit you perfectly. And when it comes to food, our meal prep service serves up tasty, balanced meals tailored to your goals. We’ve even got a line of top-notch supplements to give you that extra boost.
We’re also beta-testing our health and fitness app, designed to be your personal coach in your pocket. It’s got workouts, nutrition plans, tracking for your sleep, steps, and hydration, and many more features – all wrapped up in an easy-to-use package.
What sets us apart across our entire brand is our personal touch. We’re not just another gym or meal prep service. We’re a community, here to support you on your journey to a healthier, happier you. So whether you’re just starting out or aiming for the stars, we’ve got the tools, expertise, and dedication to help you reach your goals. And if you don’t quit on us, we will never quit on you!!!
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are plenty of ways you can get involved with LunaFit and support what we’re all about! First off, you can become a member at our fitness center and experience the supportive vibe and personalized attention we offer. Whether you’re new to working out or a seasoned pro, our team is here to help you crush your goals. Plus, we’ve got a range of classes catering to different tastes and fitness levels, so there’s something for everyone.
If you’re more into eating healthy than hitting the gym, check out our meal prep service. We whip up tasty, balanced meals that can help you fuel your workouts, lose weight, or just maintain a healthy lifestyle. And if you’re into supplements, we’ve got a bunch of top-notch options designed to give you that extra boost.
If you’re a fitness pro, foodie, or just passionate about health and wellness, we’re always open to collaboration. One way we love to collaborate is through our affiliate programs! If you’re a fan of any of the LunaFit Brand offerings and want to spread the word, you can sign up as an affiliate and earn rewards for every person you refer to us. It’s a win-win – you get to help people live healthier lives while earning some extra cash on the side. We’re all about working together to make a difference.
And hey, if you’re tech-savvy, why not sign up as a beta tester for our upcoming health and fitness app? You’ll get exclusive access to new features and updates before anyone else, plus you’ll have the chance to provide feedback and help shape the future of the app.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lunafit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunafitchallenge/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/lunafitofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lunafitofficial
