HOULTON, Maine — Michelle Sprague of Houlton has always dreamed of one day operating her own fitness center.
Now that dream is becoming a reality thanks to the town of Houlton’s Entrepreneur Challenge.
Sprague, along with two other individuals, was selected by a committee to split $35,000 in prizes back in November when the winners were announced.
For Sprague, that means expanding Raising The Bar, a fitness center specializing in CrossFit training. Sprague, who is CrossFit Level 1 certified, will offer classes, private training, nutrition discussions and support.
Personal training has been a passion for Sprague for about three years. She got her start with it, first as a way to get into better physical condition herself, but it then blossomed into a potential career.
“I have been working toward this goal of having my own fitness center ever since I started,” she said. “Honestly, I started this whole thing for myself, so that I could get into better shape. That’s how it all started. Everyone that comes to a class is one of my motivators to keep going.”
Sprague was employed at Stepping Stones in Houlton, where she managed a women and children’s shelter. That organization lost its funding and closed its doors, which prompted her to look elsewhere for employment ideas.
She decided to pursue CrossFit.
According to the CrossFit website, “CrossFit is a fitness regimen developed by Greg Glassman over several decades. Glassman, CrossFit’s founder and CEO, was the first person in history to define fitness in a meaningful, measurable way: increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains. He then created a program specifically designed to improve fitness and health.”
By constantly varying movements at high intensity, Sprague said a person is able to gain more from a workout.
“It’s important to do something different every day, so that the body never gets used to it,” she explained. “I have some people who are overly competitive with their workouts, and others who are a bit more shy, so I try to offer something for everyone.”
Sprague added that she would not be able to be where she is today without the support of many friends and family members.
Raising The Bar will receive funding for new equipment and to pay for franchise fees to CrossFit and initial rent. She is currently operating her business from her home, but has plans to open a new location in early 2018 to be furnished with exercise equipment and with some retail items available. There will be a focus on each individual client’s journey with health and wellness, Sprague said.
The Houlton Entrepreneur Challenge is a collaborative effort between the town of Houlton and the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation with major financial support from Machias Savings Bank. The program is designed to be an innovative approach to business recruitment and retention. It is a way to assist new or expanding businesses with expenses while also providing basic business knowledge and guidance in developing a business plan.
The other two winners for 2017 were Steve Milligan of Green Minnow Media and Matt Donahue of Shiretown Stoves and Outdoor Living.
