Leadership Interview on
Shelley Hitz

As a Licensed Physical Therapist and NASM Certified Personal Trainer, I have a passion for helping people reach their fitness potential and fitness goals.

My website and my web-log (BLOG) are just two ways that I am able to help others reach their fitness objectives.

What motivates you to remain focused on growing your business/website?
A couple of years ago I suffered from lower back pain. Since I am a Physical Therapist, I did a simple test and prescribed a set of abdominal and back strengthening exercises for myself.

Within a month, I was pain-free. I know that if performing exercises properly can help me improve my quality of life, it can help many other people as well.

My main goal in all I do is to help other people by using the gifts and abilities that God has given me.

Secondly, I hope to create more flexibility in my daily schedule that will enable me to travel with my husband who is a youth motivational speaker. Growing a successful Internet business will give me the flexibility to do this.

What has been your greatest challenge as a business leader, and how did you overcome it?
To not give up. Starting a business online is not easy and takes a lot of determination and persistence.

Many people will encourage a "Get Rich Quick (GRQ)" route in Internet business.

I have had to overcome that desire within me to GRQ, and realize instead that anything worth having is worth working for.

I believe it's important to surround yourself with people who encourage and support you. I've found that encouragement in my husband, and also in the SiteSell forums.

I use SiteBuild It! (SBI) to create and manage my www.abs-exercise-advice.com. website. The encouragement and support I've received through the SBI forums has given me the motivation I’ve needed to continue. I am continually getting new ideas for my online business.

Describe the most important activity(ies) you do regularly, that you attribute to the success of your site?
I’ve learned to set small measurable goals to accomplish each day.

I have a notebook where I write down my goals, which helps to keep me focused. (Plus it's always fun to cross off each task as I finish it:)

I've also seen an increase in the number of visitors to my site from submitting articles on my topic to article directories. In addition I participate in link exchanges with quality sites from SiteSell's free program, Value Exchange.

Do you own other internet businesses? If so, what product or service does it offer? Url?: If so, what product or service does it offer? Url?
I provide customized personal training online through coaching and using animated excercises. Online fitness coaching services at www.onlinefitnesscoach.com help give that extra motivation, accountability and workout design that some people need to reach their fitness potential.

There are a lot of fitness products currently being promoted to consumers that offer empty promises. People deserve fitness products that help them succeed. That is one reason that I started my other website, www.fitnessproductsonline.com - to offer low-cost, quality fitness products.

What is your greatest accomplishment relating to your site?: It has been rewarding to see the positive response to my free abdominal ball workout available at www.abs-exercise-advice.com/abdominal-ball-exercises.html and my online fitness coaching services. It's amazing to me to think that I can help people look and feel great and yet I've never personally met them!

I also think that achieving such a high Alexa traffic rating in only a few short months is a great accomplishment!

How would you recommend others get started on creating a website?
Take your time getting started. So many times I get an idea and start running with it before I research it.

I have truly benefited from the Action Guide, authored by Ken Envoy of SiteSell, Inc. This book takes you step by step through the process of setting up a quality online business.

Most importantly I would like to highly recommend using SBI for your first site to ensure you take the necessary steps to find a profitable.

What advice would you offer to others wanting to generate income on the Internet?
I encourage anyone interested in starting an online business to choose a topic or area you are passionate about.

If you do something just to make money, you might find yourself lacking motivation to put the necessary time into your business. Or you may find yourself "forcing things to happen" or "compromising your values" just to get a sale.

Describe your favorite leadership tool?
There have been two role models for me during the last 6 months.

Ryan Lee, a fitness entrepreneur who created a product that I offer on my web site which allows fitness professionals like me to create online animated workouts for clients.

My other role model has been Ken Envoy of SiteSell. The very first book I read about starting an online business was his affiliate master’s course (which is free!) and within days I was on my way to building what you see as my business today.

I also believe in a daily time of prayer each day. This helps keep me focused and minimize anxiety about my day-to-day affairs.

Any last "Words of Wisdom"?
In the words of Winston Churchill:

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