Allison Jackson is the founder of Allison Jackson Fitness and helps corporate moms get lean eating foods they love so they can be at their best. She knows exactly how hard it is to work full-time, take care of the kids and household...plus try to fit in working out, eating right, and taking care of herself, too! Allison has spent the last eight years training and competing in figure competitions -- even winning three pro cards in one year -- so she has a crystal-clear picture of what it takes to get to your ideal weight and stay there. Get free resources and listen to her Fit to Lead Podcast at www.allisonjacksonfitness.com.

Can you tell our readers about your background?
I’m a certified personal trainer (NASM) and nutrition coach (Pn1). I’ve been interested in fitness since the ’90s but also always struggled with my weight. After achieving my bucket list goal of competing in a figure competition in 2012, I’ve competed every year since and attained my pro card in 2019. I love continuing to learn and attained my yoga teacher training (YTT-200) during the spring of 2020.

What inspired you to start your business?
My competition experience launched my business, Allison Jackson Fitness. I’ve always used coaches during my competition preps, so I knew the benefits of having someone provide guidance and a strategy. After competing for so many years, people kept asking what I was doing to get stage-ready and started asking me to coach them to lose weight. It’s so rewarding to help others reach their goals.

Where is your business based?
It’s completely online and I’m located in Northern New Jersey.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
I started by coaching people for free. I wanted to make sure I could get the results and began creating systems to ensure a consistent process. Eventually, I ended up getting a logo, website, and marketing materials.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
By far, social media has helped me get the word out about my business and grow my following. I started on Facebook and have expanded to LinkedIn and Instagram.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
Working full-time while trying to grow a business can be challenging from a time and energy perspective. Plus, I’m married and have two teenagers so there are only so many hours in a day. It’s important to prioritize who and what needs you the most at any given time. You definitely need to have balance and set boundaries.

How do you stay focused?
I find that regular meditation every morning keeps me grounded and focused. It’s also such a wonderful way to manage stress. In addition, I’m a big fan of time-blocking, which is using chunks of time to focus on one thing, whether that’s phone calls, emails, or editing podcasts.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
Everyone has a different story, experience, and background. For me, since I still work full-time, compete, and run a business. My target is busy, working moms, so being able to walk the walk and talk the talk has been my biggest differentiator. If I can dedicate the time and effort, anyone can!

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
It’s definitely creating a private Facebook group with your “tribe” of followers. These are your biggest fans and the people who you want to constantly and consistently give value to and go above and beyond.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Don’t over-think things and don’t over consume information (i.e., analysis paralysis). Just start doing what you love and see if it’s possible to generate money from it.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
My favorite app is Todist. It’s literally provided a way for me to keep a scheduled, ongoing to-do list, which is a huge stress reliever.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
My favorite tool is Google Drive. You can literally run an entire business with the tools and features in Google Drive. It’s amazing.

Who is your business role model? Why?
It’s definitely Eve Guzman of G-Transformation Academy and the Macro Mentorship. She is one of the best business coaches I’ve ever hired. She started her business from nothing and has grown it into an amazing empire.

How do you balance work and life?
I prioritize accordingly. Sometimes my family needs me more and sometimes work or my business does. It’s evaluating where you add the most value at any given time and then move in that direction.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?
Meditating and doing yoga, followed by taking a nap. Rest and recovery are so vital for self-preservation.

What do you have planned for the next six months?
Grow my podcast, do more speaking engagements, possibly write another book, but what I really want most is to help as many people as possible with their health and fitness.

How can our readers connect with you?
Visit me at www.allisonjacksonfitness.com and follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn -- @allisonjacksonfitness.