Five years ago, C.J. Williams was leading personal training sessions wherever he could.
Whether it was at a subleased space or somewhere outdoors before sunrise, Williams was doing what he could to build a successful business.
Today, he guides a team of personal trainers inside BUF Boot Camp, a gym space in Charlotte that he designed and owns.
[SPECIAL SECTION: Black History Month]
Williams officially became the owner of BUF Boot Camp in 2014, after spending years training clients on his own.
He quickly realized he’d need more space and a team of employees to help him provide the type of training he wanted to give his loyal clients.
“As a trainer, you want to help as many people as you can,” Williams said.
“The whole thing with BUF Boot Camp is getting a lot of people together so they can pay less but still get the workout they would with a personal trainer.”
Williams says accountability comes naturally during his classes – if he’s not pushing his clients to work harder, other people in the class are.
Williams says he’s proud of the distinction of being a black business owner in Charlotte, but he wants customers to look at him as a businessman first.
“I’m just worried about doing things the right way and being fair to my clients,” Williams said.
“I just want my customers to see me as a professional, not a black business owner.”
Black-owned business profiles:
- Kaleidoscope Counseling
- Hair's Your Glory
- Sports One Charlotte
- Queen's Coffee Bar
- Red Pen Graphics
- Media Arts Collective
- Boundary Street Advisors
- Reggae Central
- Leap of Faith Dance Academy
- Charlotte Youth Broadcasting Camp
- Jazzy Cheesecakes
- Mert's Heart and Soul
- Charlie's Angels Beauty Bar
- Happy Kat Candles and Gifts
- BUF Boot Camp
- Move Pack Clean
- No Grease Barbershop
- BW Sweets Bakery
- Rapid Tax
- Premier Pharmacy and Wellness Center
He also hopes his customers understand how his past experiences and failures have made him into the businessman he is today.
“I am a product of my experiences over the last five years,” Williams said.
“I want my customers to know I am what this life made me.”
BUF Boot Camp is located at 4420 E. Independence Boulevard and open seven days a week.
To learn more about BUF Boot Camp's services, click here.
[READ: Black-owned business spotlight: No Grease Barbershop]