On the surface, Candy McBride is a third grade educator, mother of two, and a passionate gardener. However, when the school bell rings at 2:15pm the Executive Director and Owner of the health and wellness brand, #GYMKITTY awakens. Her goal when she created #GYMKITTY was to serve as a catalyst for women to begin living their healthiest selves. When a former colleague, noting how much she enjoyed working out, called her a “gym rat” it was impossible for her to connect with that moniker. “I literally froze in time. Please, anything but that. Then it suddenly came to me, ‘I’m a gymkitty. Ladies aren’t gym rats.’ ” So what is a #GYMKITTY? A #GYMKITTY is a fit feline who exhibits style, determination, and confidence in and out of the gym.
A native of Miami (Seminola), Florida who transplanted to Atlanta, Georgia in 2010 Candy has turned this new declaration into a booming business. “Starting a healthy lifestyle begins with deciding to change one’s life. By taking action, you are one step closer to the life you always desire!” Now almost 5 years later, Candy has expanded #GYMKITTY from T-Shirts to a full-blown vitamin and supplement line available on Walmart Marketplace. “When I really started to analyze the challenges, women faced on their health and wellness journey the number one question was ‘How do I start?’ For me, this was a loaded question because that can look different for varying women. So instead of advocating for personal trainers and gym memberships I focused on identifying one healthy goal you can make every day for the rest of your life. And the answer was a multivitamin.” A multivitamin includes essential vitamins and minerals to fill nutritional gaps in your existing diet. “They alone don’t make you automatically healthy, but that one attainable choice builds confidence, then that decision leads to the next, and then the next.” #GYMKITTY currently offers a range of vegan, gluten-free, non-gmo, and 100% natural products in the form of gummies, vegan capsules and powders.
This year #GYMKITTY will further expand its brand by launching a fitness apparel line. It will include sports bras, leggings and accessories.
FWM: What was the catalyst for your launch of #GYMKITTY?
My goal when I created #GYMKITTY was to serve as a catalyst for women to begin living their healthiest selves. When a former colleague, noting how much I enjoyed working out, called me a “gym rat” it was impossible for me to connect with that moniker. “I literally froze in time. Please, anything but that. Then it suddenly came to me, ‘I’m a gymkitty, ladies aren’t gym rats.’ ” In 2016, that declaration took me from 161 postpartum pounds to 145. More recently, having suffered two back-to-back miscarriages this declaration will take me to a new level once again.
FWM: How are you helping women on their health and wellness journey?
Our gymkitties have identified a need for quality products. Women are reading labels and only bringing smart and safe products into their homes and bodies. Therefore, we provide them with products that are made in a FDA registered facility, maintain Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), gluten free, and made with Non-GMO ingredients. Those are just a few of the certifications we hold.
FWM: Your business is booming. Share your philosophy behind your brand.
Our mission is to support women on their health and wellness journey. We believe that wellness starts with the decision to live a healthier life. That one decision and consistency leads to the next healthier decision and then the next. We have found a connection with our audience on starting the journey.
FWM: Take us through your products and what we can find at the Walmart Marketplace.
#CANDY multivitamin gummies is one of our top selling products. It has an amazing flavour and provides vitamins A, B5, B12, B6, C, D, E, Folic Acid, Biotin, Iodine, and Zinc. Infused with Biotin and Superfood Purple Carrot Juice. Our #CURVE-V Vegan Protein Powder Milkshake is packed with 21 grams of protein, pea protein blend and MCT Oil. In addition to our #SKIN collagen gummies which frequently sell out. You can find these and nine of our other vitamins and supplements at the Walmart Marketplace and www.gymkitty.net.
FWM: What has been the secret to your success?
Conquering my fear of failure has been the secret to my success. Prior to this I stopped and started #GYMKITTY twice because of fear. Then one day while having a conversation with my daughter, Alivya about following dreams, I told her “You have to feel the fear and do it anyway.” She replied “But your not doing anything with #GYMKITTY”. Her response was a brutally honest ‘practice what you preach’ from a 9-year-old. Needless to say, I will never stop it again.
FWM: This year, you will launch the #GYMKITTY fitness apparel line. Tell us more.
I am obsessed with finalizing our choices for our fall launch! We currently offer waist trainers and tee shirts, but we listened to our gymkitties and this is what they asked for. The first collection will consist of sports bras and leggings in fun and confident styles. The material will be form fitting yet functional. I stand on quality, therefore this apparel will be in alignment with the high standards we set for our supplements.
FWM: How has #GYMKITTY changed your life?
#GYMKITTY has definitely changed my priorities. When I began to focus on my health and build a business around it my priorities shifted. They are still shifting as I move into new spaces to expand the brand. This entire experience has built my resilience in and out the gym. Specifically, when I have a not so good week in sales, I have to keep myself motivated and keep pushing forward. The same applies with my health. No week is perfect, but I don’t give up.
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