We had the good fortune of connecting with Dominique Montgomery and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dominique, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I struggled with obesity throughout my childhood and weighed over 300 pounds by my senior year of high school. After almost drowning, I had a wakeup call that sparked the drive to lose weight by focusing on changing my lifestyle rather than dieting. I lost over 150 pounds and became driven to help others reach their goals without letting go of the foods they love and giving practical methods to stay on track with their health and fitness journey.

Fit Finally actually started out as a book that explained my weight loss journey, but eventually transpired into a brand with fitness programs, meal preparation and personal training. Walking into this journey, I wasn’t expecting to become a business owner, but as the dream grew it just made sense to expand in all ways I can help others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Outside of Fit Finally, I also specialize in digital design – graphics, websites and app development! This set me apart from my peers because I was able to build my company from the ground up without having to outsource anything I needed. Because of this, I’ve been able to run all areas of my company myself on a low budget. It’s also helped me to reach deadlines at an incredibly fast pace and make everything one of a kind.

Running my business became easier over time, but it was challenging in the beginning. I started my brand without knowing how to run a business or knowing the proper legal structure needed to make it professional. Over time, I challenged myself to research different business models and learn from different mentors that have refined my marketing strategy. Any time I hit a roadblock, I remind myself that someone else has accomplished what I’m trying to do, and stay open minded to troubleshooting and overcoming any obstacles I face. There have been moments where I had to completely revise my business plan and I had to be okay with change. One of the best lessons I’ve learned is that there’s always room to learn, grow, and improve. As time goes by, some things become out dated and you have to be willing to change and step out of your comfort zone in every moment.

The biggest takeaway I want to leave people with is that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. No matter how much you don’t know yet, no matter how far you are from that goal, no matter how many obstacles you face – your will to keep going will bring you further than giving up ever could. Staying dedicated to your pursuit is what brings you to the top! It’s all about perspective.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in the heart of Los Angeles and I love how diverse the food options are out here. From Catch to Felix Trattoria, the options are endless. Great seafood by the beach, exclusive rooftop venues, and everything in between. Even the street food is like no other. For night life, I love Nightingale and Poppy. While nightclubs might not be the first place you think about networking, you would be surprised of how many great people I’ve connected on my nights out. I’m also an outdoorsy girl and love to hike! Some of the best spots I’ve found are at Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon. And for those who want a breath-taking view of the beach… no place compares to Moss Point in Laguna Beach!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents play a major role in my success today. My dad also struggled with obesity throughout his life, but everything I learned about health and fitness came from him. I am proud to say that we have both maintained our healthy weight for over 5 years! My mom is great with technology and as a kid inspired me to learn how to code and design websites. Through the help of my parents together, I was able to create a scientifically proven strategy for weight loss and establish the visual branding for the company.

Website: www.fitfinally.co

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fitfinally.co; www.instagram.com/dominiquerunway

Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/dominiquerunway

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