How do you build a billion-dollar fitness empire, especially in East Asia, when women don’t like to sweat and men don’t like to work out? Eric Levine, owner of Gold’s Gyms, 24-Hour Fitness, and California Fitness presents amazing marketing and branding strategies; successes and blunders; real estate lessons; cautions about landlords, partners, contracts and overseas laws; and critical cultural issues that grew revenues to $100m/year in Asia alone

Highlights:

{15:09} Successful international stories

{27:24} A funny translation blunder

{38:57} How to succeed and not have international blunders.

Eric Levine bio:

Eric Levine started in the fitness industry in 1979, when he was the first franchisee for Gold’s Gym, and opened a chain of six clubs. These six clubs were the most profitable in the entire Gold’s chain of more than 100 clubs. During that time Mr. Levine established Super Gym Advertising and Marketing company, the exclusive worldwide agency for all Gold’s Gyms, winning many international awards including the silver medal at Cannes! Eric then became a partner with Ray Wilson Family Fitness Centers, which grew to 72 locations. Eric went on to Asia and created California Fitness in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia. His clubs broke every imaginable record for fitness centers around the world.

Eric then sold the chain of California Fitness centers to 24-Hour Fitness, retaining a share in that company. In 2004, 24-Hour Fitness sold for an incredible US$1.7 billion. Eric was also the founder of Planet Yoga and Bikram Yoga in Asia, the first large yoga studio anywhere. Eric is currently an investor with Mark Mastrov in New Evolution Ventures which owns and manages such companies as UFC gyms worldwide. Eric has an exciting new company, combined with Revolution Recrafted, in partnership with world champion boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. The new company is called Hitt by Manny and provides a boxing and full-body workout in a boutique setting. Eric is also the CEO of Eric Levine, Global Fitness Expert, a fitness consulting company specializing in all aspects of the industry.

Connect with Eric:

• [email protected]. 
• Instagram: worldwise2015

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