Meet Johnny Argrow | Boxer & Boxing Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Johnny Argrow and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Johnny, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was survival haha! I had considered the idea before, but I was somewhat comfortable so I never took the leap. I was leaving a job where I actually liked what I did and it just so happened to align with the business I had been wanting to start. Things kind of fell in place from there.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I selected “other” for my work because it is so much more than coaching classes and personal lessons. I’m a safe space for some. My work is an outlet for others. Boxing is absolutely artistic. Fighting is about the most primal expression of self one can experience. You won’t have to actually fight a person in my classes btw. I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to take this violent sport and make it accessible to everyone. I’m not what people typically envision when they think of a boxer. They may come in expecting a hard-nosed and gritty guy… but I’m a nerd and am likely wearing loudly colored socks with purple shoes when we meet. Getting to this point wasn’t expected, so easy isn’t even a question haha! I think that’s what I’m most proud of. I mean… I was once told that boxing was just a hobby and that I should focus on my career. Now boxing is my career. I was told that my business idea of being a mobile coach and hosting camps/getaways was stupid. Despite a global pandemic starting months after I first “opened”… my stupid business idea is almost 3 years strong. The pandemic part was a real challenge. I found out that I have a handful of people that are really looking out for me. Community. I learned that community really means something to some folks.

If there is anything I’d want to share with the world is be true to yourself. Just coming up with the name “BlackBoxx” was an acceptance of my self. I was worried that the name might be “too Black” and hurt my customer base. Ain’t that a shame? My business name “too Black”. Well I’m proud of it and think it sounds pretty cool. Whatever story you’re telling yourself that’s preventing you from taking that next step, change it. Change the story. You might ne surprised how well recieved you are.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A week long visit with my best friend. Well… I live with her (hopes for brownie points with gf). In all honesty, this is a tough question. My aunties might read this one day. But if I’m showing my best friend the best time ever, it’d be up to them. The “musts” would be a visit to Vail and a stay at the exclusive Pumbaa Ranch West. Jefe’s in Longmont is an absolute necessity and we’d play by ear from there. The world has too much to offer to set limits. I say wing it and explore! I think the most interesting people, places and things change at any moment. Just be open minded. The song you keep skipping on that album is actually fire and you’re missing out.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are several people I’m thankful for that deserve a shout-out… like my circle of clients that became close friends. But I firmly believe that Black Boxx LLC would not exist if not for my dad John H. Argrow and my boxing coach, Dave Guadette. Dad owning a business (John’s Auto Care) in Boulder, CO was the first seed to make me believe that I could also own a business. The example of someone that looked like me (almost identical 🤣) being set was huge. Working as a service advisor at his repair shop gave me a first hand look at business ownership. As for Dave… he’s the man that first introduced me to the sweer science. The hobby that became a career. And 10 years after he first showed me the ole 1-2, I came to him at Front Range Boxing Academy looking for a place to train as a fighter again and potentially coach my clients. He welcomed me back without hesitation. The man that showed me that “John Argrow” can own a successful business and the man that taught me the sweet science unknowingly helped drive me to this point.

Website: www.blackboxxboxing.com

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Image Credits
Stephanie Lavallee. Aaron Bible