On this week’s edition of The Founder, we feature a young Personal Trainer, Rasika Yapa Kulatunga.  An alumnus of Mahanama College, Colombo, Rasika joined Sri Lanka Airforce straight after graduating from school, as an athlete representing Sri Lanka Airforce in the National 100m and 200m running competitions. After a six-year stint at Sri Lanka Airforce, he joined Lyceum International School as an Athletic Coach and a Physical Education Teacher for a period of one year. Subsequently, he resigned from Lyceum International School and started a career as a Gym Instructor at the Body Works Personal Training Centre, Kotte. In 2018, Rasika launched his own Personal Training company, Fitness.lk. 

HND Level Five in Sports and Exercise (EDEXCEL), a Health and Physical Trainer qualification from the Institute of Sports Science, Sri Lanka and a Fitness Instructor NVQ 5 qualification from the Ministry of Sports, are some of the professional qualifications under Rasika’s belt. He is undoubtedly one of the island’s best Personal Trainers, and his brand Fitness.lk has gained immense popularity in the city and boasts of an impressive list of clients from across Sri Lanka and overseas (international clients train with him via Zoom!). 

In your own words, what is The Fitness.lk
Fitness.lk was established in 2018 and we mainly focus on providing outdoor fitness sessions to our clients. What makes us unique is that each workout is customized per client, and is also monitored with nutritional guidance. We also offer customized Corporate Wellness Packages to companies. This package is focused on clients who do desk jobs and are seated in one place for a long period of time. We help these clients relax their mind and body, so that they can improve their health and also increase productivity. 

What inspired you?
I was inspired by my previous Gym Manager. I observed the manner in which he dealt with his clients and the happiness it brought him to see his clients progress over the months. I was also keen to one day start my own business and I wasn’t keen on working a 9-5 desk job. I want to develop a strong local health and wellness brand. 

What was the journey like, starting from scratch and building the business up to where it is right now?
It was extremely difficult and stressful in the beginning. I was used to receiving a monthly pay cheque, and to take the risk of starting off on my own was quite nerve wracking to say the least. I started off with just three clients. I had no fixed monthly income and I had a young family to look after. Overtime, through word of mouth and social media marketing, I grew from three clients to one hundred clients and I was also able to secure several Corporate Clients who signed up for our Corporate Wellness Package on a monthly retainer basis. 

What were the hardships you faced as a young entrepreneur and what was the toughest one yet?
Finding clients was extremely difficult. I didn’t have a network or any avenues to build a network. I had to start from scratch. I had to also convince potential clients, why Personal Training was more effective than joining a Gym. I had to convince new clients to trust me and my customized work out schedules and nutrition guidelines which I provided. Overtime, once they saw results, they began to promote me to their friends, family and colleagues. 

What was it like facing the global pandemic? How did it affect the business? 
The first few weeks of lockdown, we had zero business. All our clients were in a state of limbo and none of us knew how to restart. I was extremely worried as I has no income coming my way. However, overtime, clients were comfortable to restart sessions online. The pandemic allowed me to grow my Online business. Initially, my clients were only from Sri Lanka but today, I have clients from USA, Singapore, Scotland, Malawi, UAE, Malaysia and Australia.

What has been the most frustrating thing about being a start-up?
Getting used to the idea of not having a fixed monthly income. During holiday season, most clients pause their workout sessions, hence there is never a fixed monthly income you can rely on. But, on the flipside the profits you make are much more than what I would have earned had I continued to do a 9-5 desk job. 

What motivates you to do what you do on daily basis?
My passion is fitness. I enjoy what I’m doing. I also find great pleasure in helping my clients achieve their fitness goals. 

How did you get the initial start-up capital?
I dipped into my personal savings.

What separates The Fitness.lk from its competitors?
Unconventional workout routines, customized for each client based on their body type and end fitness goal.

What is your definition of the word success?
Freedom and Happiness. Success is not simply making money. 

Why did you decide to enter this industry?
I want to see a healthy and fit Sri Lanka! Share my fitness knowledge with my clients. 

Who are your role models?
Phil Knight, Co-Founder and Chairman of Nike. 

What is the end goal?
To see more clients achieve their fitness goals and to build a globally reputed fitness brand originating from Sri Lanka.

What advice would you give other start-ups?
Surround yourself with those who know more than you and get their advice. There are more opportunities to learn and grow. Don’t give up on your dreams.