We had the good fortune of connecting with Mariah Ornelas and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Mariah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was at a cross roads of leaving my career of 10 years, because it was taking too much time away from my son and I was barely making enough money to get by.
One night it hit me. A problem I saw within my career field, I had a solution to, which hit me like a ton of bricks. As I was laying in bed, I grabbed my phone, went to the notes section and started typing ideas. There was no second guessing it! Within a month I created my LLC, left my employer and started marketing my new venture. It was a hit.
The start of my business seemed from wanting freedom with my time. I was tired of spending more time with other children as a “child behavior specialist”, yet hardly getting any time with my own son.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I created the world’s first mobile gym. Literally, a gym in a box truck! I am a personal trainer that comes to clients, so there is absolutely no excuse not to workout. Their home, work, park, etc. I will show up with all the equipment, workout plans and everything to have an amazing workout session to reach my client’s goals. Access to the gym is now available for everyone. No matter if they are physically incapable, scared, eneducated or unwilling to go to a gym… I will show up for them.
There has been a tremendous amount of challenges! I started this business one month before covid hit. Supplies sky rocketed, workers were hard to find (to build the truck), I didn’t have child care, etc. But, those challenes required me to pivot over and over again, which is a huge skill business owners need, so at the end of the day I am actually grateful.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Colorado Springs is an amazing place to be! A few of my favorite things to do include hiking in areas such as Palmer Park and Garden of the Gods. Enjoying food at 503W, Piglatin and Rib & Chop would be a must! Downtown Springs would be our go to for nightlife, Blondie’s being at the top of the list because of their amazing upbeat DJs.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to thank the Behavior Therapy clinic I was working for in Houston, TX that supported my crazy idea of merging my two passions together. Fitness and behavior therapy. John, owner, of Behavior TLC where I as a lead therapist for, was the one who told me that what I wanted to do- hadn’t been done and it was going to take a lot of work to accomplish, but he would support me and guide me throughout my journey.
I’d also like to thank my spouse Jeff and my grandfather Ernie for always supporting my (again) crazy ideas, helping babysit my son and being there for me in everyday possible.
Website: www.trucksandtrainers.com
Instagram: trucksandtrainers / the.ladym
Facebook: trucks & trainers
Image Credits
Myself