Young Entrepreneurs Open Wrexham’s Focussed Fitness Training Centre

Development Bank of Wales , 31st January 2023

Young entrepreneurs and fitness buddies Conor McKeogh and Alex Lloyd have opened their first training centre with a micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales.

24 year old Conor and 30 year old Alex are both qualified personal trainers and share a love of helping others to get fit, feel healthier and lose weight. Having previously worked together on a self-employed basis, the pair have now opened Focussed Fitness – a 3,200 square foot unit with 2,000 square feet of gym floor space on Rhosnesni Lane in Wrexham.

Alex Lloyd and Conor McKeogh, Focused Fitness

With a range of functional equipment, Focussed Fitness offers small group classes and training. All sessions are run by one of three coaches with a maximum membership of 100.

Alex Lloyd said:

“Opening our first fitness training centre is a natural progression but it is a big step setting up a business for the first time. As young entrepreneurs, we’ve been really pleased with the help that we’ve had to start-up the business. Both Conor and I recognise that we we simply couldn’t have done it without the support of the Development Bank. It’s a constant learning curve but they have been with us every step of the way, making the whole process quick and easy so that we could open ready for the new year.”

Conor McKeogh said:

“We’re here to help local people to achieve their fitness goals. We’re focussed on building a community of people who are helping each other to better themselves. We know all of our clients personally and this means that we have an inclusive and supportive community of people of all ages and abilities. It’s a great way to feel healthier, feel fitter and lose weight.”

Assistant Investment Executive Charlotte Price added:

“Conor and Alex have helped hundreds of people within the community achieve their fitness goals and improve their mental health and wellbeing through their coaching. Their ambition to open their own fitness training centre and run their own business as young entrepreneurs is really exciting so we’re delighted to be able to support them with funding to get the business off the ground, particularly as supporting young entrepreneurs is a key focus for us this year.”

Micro loans between £1,000 and £50,000 are available from the Development Bank of Wales with repayment terms ranging from one to ten years. Small businesses, sole traders and social enterprises based in Wales, or willing to move here can apply for the funding that includes a fast-track service.

Mae mentergarwyr ifanc a ffrindiau ffitrwydd Conor McKeogh ac Alex Lloyd wedi agor eu canolfan hyfforddi gyntaf gyda micro-fenthyciad gan Fanc Datblygu Cymru.

Mae Conor, sy’n 24 oed ac Alex, sy’n 30 oed yn hyfforddwyr personol cymwys ac mae’r ddau yn caru helpu eraill i ddod yn ffit, teimlo’n iachach a cholli pwysau. Ar ôl cydweithio’n hunangyflogedig yn flaenorol, mae’r pâr bellach wedi agor Focussed Fitness – uned 3,200 troedfedd sgwâr gyda 2,000 troedfedd sgwâr o arwynebedd llawr i’r gampfa ar Lôn Rhosnesni yn Wrecsam.

Gydag amrywiaeth o offer pwrpasol, mae Focussed Fitness yn cynnig dosbarthiadau a hyfforddiant mewn grwpiau bach. Mae pob sesiwn yn cael ei rhedeg gan un o dri hyfforddwr gydag uchafswm aelodaeth o 100.

Dywedodd Alex Lloyd:

“Mae agor ein canolfan hyfforddi ffitrwydd gyntaf yn ddilyniant naturiol ond mae’n gam mawr sefydlu busnes am y tro cyntaf. Fel mentergarwyr ifanc, rydym wedi bod yn falch iawn o'r cymorth yr ydym wedi'i gael i ddechrau’r busnes. Mae Conor a minnau yn cydnabod na fyddem wedi gallu ei wneud heb gefnogaeth y Banc Datblygu. Mae’n gromlin ddysgu gyson ond maen nhw wedi bod gyda ni bob cam o’r ffordd, gan wneud y broses gyfan yn gyflym ac yn hawdd fel ein bod wedi gallu agor yn barod ar gyfer y flwyddyn newydd.”

Dywedodd Conor McKeogh:

“Rydym yma i helpu pobl leol i gyflawni eu nodau ffitrwydd. Rydym yn canolbwyntio ar adeiladu cymuned o bobl sy'n helpu ei gilydd i wella eu hunain. Rydym yn adnabod ein holl gleientiaid yn bersonol ac mae hyn yn golygu bod gennym gymuned gynhwysol a chefnogol o bobl o bob oed a gallu. Mae’n ffordd wych o deimlo’n iachach, teimlo’n fwy heini a cholli pwysau.”

Ychwanegodd y Swyddog Buddsoddi Cynorthwyol Charlotte Price: “Mae Conor ac Alex wedi helpu cannoedd o bobl yn y gymuned i gyflawni eu nodau ffitrwydd a gwella eu hiechyd meddwl a’u lles trwy eu hyfforddiant. Mae eu huchelgais i agor eu canolfan hyfforddi ffitrwydd eu hunain a rhedeg eu busnes eu hunain fel mentergarwyr ifanc yn gyffrous iawn, felly rydym yn falch iawn o allu eu cefnogi gyda chyllid i roi hwb i’r busnes godi oddi ar y ddaear, yn enwedig gan fod cefnogi mentergarwyr ifanc yn rhywbeth allweddol rydyn ni’n canolbwyntio arno eleni.”

Mae micro fenthyciadau rhwng £1,000 a £50,000 ar gael gan Fanc Datblygu Cymru gyda thelerau ad-dalu yn amrywio o un i ddeng mlynedd. Gall busnesau bach, masnachwyr unigol a mentrau cymdeithasol sydd wedi’u lleoli yng Nghymru, neu sy’n barod i symud yma wneud cais am y cyllid sy’n cynnwys gwasanaeth llwybr cyflym.