Supernatural Fitness

Founder

Jason Barnett

Profile

Before setting up Supernatural Fitness I worked in Education - I've been working with children and young people for 20 years.

I've also been involved in the Health and Fitness Industry for 21 years since competing as a natural bodybuilder for 21 years from the age of 16. I'm a multiple British title winner and I won the World Champion title in 2008-9.

I have 3 people working with me on a part-time, freelance basis.

What does your company do?

We inspire and educate children and young people to make healthier lifestyle choices through presentations and road shows for schools, community groups and other organisations.

What has ThinkBusiness@Bradford done to help you develop?

Being part of a team and working with people who are passionate about business was a huge benefit to me - it's the thing I'll miss most about Think Business.

The access to office space, other facilities and financial support they were able to offer provided a real safety net for Supernatural Fitness.

What's been your biggest success?

Being recognised by Bradford Education as a valuable resource to our schools and being able to share my vision with important people in the city with the same passion for young people. It's very satisfying when teachers tell me of the value their school receives from my visit.

On a more personal level, I was delighted to be a finalist in the 2009 Pride of Britain Awards.

What's been the hardest thing you've had to cope with?

Developing my brand in the face of stereotypes which can often exist around professional athletes and sports.

What advice would you give other new businesses?

Stay focused on one or two priority areas where the bulk of your business will come from. It's so important to develop an expertise in your core business.

What plans do you have for the future of Supernatural Fitness?

My immediate goal is to work with every school in the Bradford area. I also want to become recognised as an ambassador for Healthy lifestyles in Bradford.

In the longer term, I'd like to take the Supernatural Fitness business model further afield, perhaps working with people who have achieved success in other sports.

My ultimate goal is for Supernatural Fitness to become the business of choice for teachers looking to reinforce healthy lifestyle messages.

What would you like to see from ThinkBusiness@Bradford in the future?

I'd like to see successful businesses that have come through the programme encouraged to invest in Think Business - financially or otherwise. I'd also like the programme to be made available to non graduates.

I think there are opportunities to maintain contact with past programme businesses - there are some very positive success stories who have benefited from Think Business and hearing more from them would really motivate fledgling businesses.