IT professional changes course to pursue wellness venture
“My college education proved invaluable as it taught me the importance of hard work and attention to detail — skills that help me deliver excellent service at the FitDaily gym.”
JOSHUA Oronse Nieva pursued a degree in information technology (IT) in college.
He, however, deviated from his specialization and took a detour by establishing a gym at the young age of 23.
“My college education proved invaluable as it taught me the importance of hard work and attention to detail — skills that help me deliver excellent service at the FitDaily gym,” Nieva told The Manila Times.
Nieva didn't have any business background.
“Thankfully, I met Helen Tolentino, who has tons of experience in the business world through her family's plastic manufacturing business, and her daughter Lauren, who is following in her mom's footsteps.”
The story of Nieva's FitDaily gym is deeply personal.
“It began with the hospital visits of my business partner's father. It inspired me to create a wellness space,” Nieva said.
“My love for coaching and desire to help others, along with Helen's support, pushed the idea forward. With her daughter Lauren, joining in March 2023, our commitment grew stronger. Finally, on Jan. 27, 2024, FitDaily PH opened its doors.”
Nieva said putting together FitDaily gym was a team effort from the start.
“A few years ago, I met Helen when she was a student at my first gym,” recalled Nieva.
“I shared with her my insights into how the gym business operates and how it can be both fulfilling and profitable.
“Together, we saw the potential to combine our passion for fitness and business, and thus, our partnership was born. Hence, while the concept was initially my initiative, Helen's contributions made the vision a reality. Meanwhile, Lauren is handling HR (human resources) and social media.”
Major hurdles
Just like any startup, FitDaily gym faced early challenges. They almost came to the point of giving up.
“One of the major hurdles we encountered was zoning,” Nieva disclosed. “There was a moment when we almost withdrew due to this issue. However, our supportive neighbors from the Pinagkaisahan community quickly granted their consent for us to establish the gym, which was instrumental in overcoming this obstacle.
“Additionally, at the start of FitDaily PH, obscurity was our main challenge. With only Helen, Lauren and myself, we feared a lack of support in a world where everyone is preoccupied with their own concerns.
“However, by staying true to ourselves and demonstrating our love for the community, we gradually built a loyal following, defying our initial fears and solidifying our presence.”
After its initial branch, FitDaily PH plans to put up other branches in more sites eventually.
“Our goal is to reach more people and promote a healthier lifestyle,” insisted Nieva.
“At present, the Cubao branch is our inaugural location, but we have plans to establish multiple branches so more people can benefit from our services.
“We are also continuously introducing new products, programs and services at our current headquarters, aiming to enhance the experience of our customers as much as possible.”
Running his own business is “incredibly fulfilling” for Nieva.
“Being able to create a service that transforms lives and provides job opportunities for fellow coaches and staff brings me immense satisfaction,” allowed Nieva.
“Currently, I'm solely focused on managing and running this business.”
Not surprisingly, Nieva's childhood ambition was to become an employee.
After college, he wanted to put his education to good use.
“However, I never anticipated that starting a business would evolve into one of my greatest ambitions,” Nieva admitted.
“Little did I know, life had a different plan for me. I never thought I would meet people like Helen, whose unwavering support and vision changed my perspective entirely. Through her guidance and partnership, I've been able to reach heights I never imagined possible.”
Family first
Nieva never allows workload to consume him. He makes sure to prioritize his family first, which helps him maintain a healthy balance.
“In addition to spending time with my family, I also prioritize working out and meeting other people, making sure that I have a well-rounded life outside of work,” he said. “We usually unwind by dining out together as a family. It's our favorite bonding activity where we can enjoy good food and each other's company.”
Thankfully, Nieva's wife has been supportive of his transition from being an IT professional to becoming an entrepreneur.
“She consistently encourages me to strive for excellence and reminds me to always prioritize integrity in everything I do,” he said. “Likewise, I'm grateful for the support I receive from the community and my business partners. The wisdom and guidance they share enrich my journey as an entrepreneur.”
Businessman Alex Hormozi is one of Nieva's inspirations for transitioning into entrepreneurship.
“He's been sharing business ideas through his books,” Nieva explained. “I learned the importance of valuing services and effectively presenting them to others.”
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Quick questions
What is your biggest fear?
Losing my soul.
What really makes you angry?
Manipulation
What motivates you to work hard?
My family.
What makes you laugh the most?
Memes
What would you do if you won the lotto?
Scale the business.
If you could share a meal with any individual living or dead, who would they be?
My wife.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Continuously building our businesses.
Which celebrity would you like to meet for a cup of coffee?
Mark Zuckerberg
What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
Cliff diving.
What is the one thing you will never do again?
Investing in something I haven't studied.
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