Personal trainer Kaitlyn Noble launched her dream career in the competitive San Francisco and L.A. wellness markets in 2015. But she struggled to build a client base. She was at the point of returning to her tech recruiting job, when she found Thumbtack and tripled her clients within three weeks. Now her business, Noble Wellness, is booming and she’s living her passion of helping others find a deeper mind-body connection. We asked her to share her best tips for getting started with Thumbtack.
When did you find Thumbtack?
I started using Thumbtack about a year ago, in 2015. I had left my job as a tech recruiter to follow my dream of opening a nutrition and fitness business, but finding private clients was proving to be a challenge. My savings were just about out, and I was on the verge of going back to tech. Luckily I found Thumbtack and three weeks later I had multiplied my clients by three! Fast forward a year and my business is thriving.
My schedule was so packed with clients from Thumbtack I was working seven days a week, but I needed more work-life balance. Now, I work full days Monday – Thursday and work half days on Friday and Saturday. I have around 25 sessions per week, and I also do recipe development and photography in addition to my private clients. You can see my recipes at pinchofkate.com and blog.cleanprogram.com
Anything you wish you’d known when you started your business?
I wish I had done more research about non-traditional ways of finding clients. I was relying on Yelp, but if I’d found Thumbtack earlier it would have saved me a lot of worry.
What business strategies have helped you grow since joining the site?
Offering a free service or reduced initial rate so clients can see how great you are before investing a ton has really helped. Great work speaks for itself, and your clients will keep coming back.
What markets do you work in?
I’m in San Francisco and Los Angeles, which are two very competitive markets for personal training. I use the mobile app to be able to quickly send quotes and make sure my message gets to every client.
Any tips for keeping quotes competitive?
Make it personal and include something that makes you stand out. Avoid creating a generic message that you think will speak to a higher volume of people—you’ll just sound like everyone else. I specialize in barre and Pilates, and I let people know. While those techniques might not appeal to everyone, having it in my message has given me a great hire rate among those who want my areas of expertise.
What are your favorite Thumbtack jobs?
I love working with brides. Specifically, I worked with a bride this year who came to me in a bit of a panic. She’d started working with another trainer three months prior, and hadn’t seen results. With just two months to the big day, we started working together three times a week and put together a nutrition plan to support her. She lost 18 pounds, and went down 3 dress sizes. She felt absolutely incredible on her wedding day, and even decided to train to become a barre instructor herself. It’s always rewarding to see someone hit their goals, but watching someone completely change their perspective on health is pure magic.
Any suggestions for other personal trainers on the site?
Know your limits and find balance. When I first started with Thumbtack I was so excited by the number of clients flowing in that I overbooked myself. Once I became more conscious of my personal limit, I was able to create a schedule that allowed me to be truly present, energetic, and the best coach I could be every session.
Speaking generally, things that helped me find my way were to try different rates, experiment with different messages, and play around with my settings. Experiment until you find the sweet spot for getting clients.
What role has Thumbtack played in your success story?
I’m not sure I would have stayed in business if I hadn’t found Thumbtack. 75 percent of my clients are through the site. I get to do what I love because of you guys!
Any parting words of advice for others looking to grow?
Be quick to answer requests, give excellent service, and don’t be shy asking your clients to review you!
