It’s refreshing doing business with small businesses, especially when you are able to speak directly to the owner and see their “Why.” PW23 Fitness was created by Preston Wilson because he was 70 pounds overweight and wanted to do something about it. He didn’t have any fitness equipment and wasn’t really fitness oriented at all. When he decided to go start looking around for new equipment, Preston realized that it was going to cost a good amount and didn’t know where to start, because he thought he needed to buy everything. Well, he ended up building a plyo-box (a great way to start a home gym). His friends saw it and wanted him to build them one as well. It just kept going from there.
A few years later, PW23 Fitness has continued to evolve and is another company helping everyone get easier access to fitness. The company is located in Austin, Texas and have a goal to provide everyone with the same quality equipment elite athletes use. Right now, they offer products like squat racks, plyo-boxes, storage options, sleds, stall bars, and other custom work. Preston also took the time to answer some questions below:
Why would consumers choose a smaller company like yours over a more established one with more resources?
From the feedback customers have given me, they appreciate the fact that our products are handmade by a small business. There are a lot of options out there these days and lots to consider when trying put together a costly garage gym. It’s hard to balance getting quality equipment at a good price. Most of the time, you have to choose between the two or take a gamble. Our customers have become a kind of community. They have put our gear through the ringer and have liked the results. They also like that they can give us feedback. We actually hear it and implement their suggestions if need be. Resources don’t matter to a customer as much as trusting the source.
You mentioned plyo-boxes were the most popular product in a video, but what is your favorite to make?
I think plyo-boxes are still my favorite to build because that is what got us going. The first few boxes I put out there weren’t exactly awesome. So they have improved over time. Plus, they are just fun to build.
What are some products that you foresee making in the future that you already haven’t?
We let our community and customers dictate what we build. Most everything we offer comes from a demand or need. I started building plyo-boxes because I needed one and wasn’t willing to pay over $100 for something I have to assemble myself. Our customers are going through the same thing, so they contact us all the time with new ideas and innovations. The biggest thing we are working on right is getting our equipment shippable without compromising quality.
Where do you see this company in 5 years?
In 5 years we would like to have a manufacturing facility on the moon. Haha Kidding. In 5 years, I see us reaching a lot more people all over the country. I also see the demand being great enough to employ more local craftsmen to build the equipment. One of our goals, besides being the go-to for garage gyms, is to create jobs for more local crafts and tradesmen.
How many employees do you currently have?
We don’t have any “employees”. The cool thing about what we do is vetting, then hiring local businesses to help us build equipment. I do all the woodworking, but I have a few trusted folks in my community that I source the metal work and welding too. We hope to bring on more of these people as we grow.
I assume most of your business is local? Have you shipped many items?
We do ship, but it is on a case by case basis. Right now, we primarily service Texas. If someone really wants something, we will get a shipping quote and send it!
In the end, it’s nice doing business with small businesses, but it doesn’t mean that you’ll accept unsatisfactory work. PW23 Fitness is building a solid reputation and creating many happy customers in Central Texas. With the rise of home gym owners, it will be interesting to see if more companies like this pop-up and how this particular one evolves over time.
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