Heavin

"Unfortunately, not every independent business owner is willing to do the hard work that owning a business requires," says Curves founder and Chief Executive Gary Heavin .

In Search of More Muscle Richard Gibson 2011

To retain franchisees and reinvigorate the brand's appeal, Mr. Heavin says the company is "reinventing Curves."

In Search of More Muscle Richard Gibson 2011

Lean Times Curves remains the largest women's-oriented exercise chain in an industry it created, but Mr. Heavin calls the decline very concerning.

In Search of More Muscle Richard Gibson 2011

That's what happened to Gary and Diane Heavin, founders of the Curves International fitness franchise system.

Matt Wilson: Three Steps to Gain a Competitive Advantage Matt Wilson 2010

Curves' Mr. Heavin says the company screened buyers based on their finances and other factors, and people who bought one franchise had to prove themselves before they could buy additional outlets.

In Search of More Muscle Richard Gibson 2011

Still, "we have thousands of great franchisees who are earning good money, who paid their business off years ago and are prospering and, more important, are doing a lot of good for their communities," Mr. Heavin says.

In Search of More Muscle Richard Gibson 2011

Curves International Beyond that, "we were kind of a victim of our own success," Mr. Heavin says.

In Search of More Muscle Richard Gibson 2011

Management rejected the idea, Mr. Heavin says, because Curves is about providing a supportive environment for women, and an empty room filled with machines in the night is not my idea of a supportive environment.

In Search of More Muscle Richard Gibson 2011

Gary Heavin, now its chief executive, Curves initially focused on small towns that couldn't support a full-sized gym.

Curves Loses Stamina, Closing Fitness Clubs 2010

Denying the racism of Hamas is no different than denying the racism and bigotry of the KKK or of Nazi Germany "God in Heavin, Hitler on Earth".

Archive 2009-01-01 Dr. Sanity 2009