Meet Marie Choi | Business Consultant & Director of Franchise Operations

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

Hi Marie, what’s your definition for success?
As I’ve progressed and moved through life so has my definition of success. Success is a personal journey. I cannot emphasize how important it is to find out what success means to you and to pursue your own path. Find your passion. If you can make it a way of life, you are on to something meaningful, intentional and purposeful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After graduating from The University of Chicago with double Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Gender Studies, I matriculated into Law School. Instead, I decided to follow my passion and pursue TV production and business. I landed an internship at a local cable TV station in Torrance, CA and simultaneously jumped on an entrepreneurial opportunity to co-own and operate a martial arts & fitness studio. My career in TV began to take off and I eventually landed a gig at FOX Sports.

A few years into my TV career, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He passed away within 6 months. Then a few years later, my mom was also diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She was given a month to live but through nutrition and exercise, she lived 2 more years.

After my mom passed away, I left the TV industry to follow my passion for fitness. I took a job as a Personal Trainer at the UFC Gym where I was promoted to MMA (mixed martial arts) Director. Within 10 months, I was inducted into the company’s “President’s Club” for attaining $100K in personal training sales.

My performance and talent for building a solid team of MMA coaches caught the attention of Crunch Fitness Franchise. At that time, the fitness company was looking to grow its franchise side of the business. I was brought on as National Personal Training Manager and eventually promoted to a Regional Director supporting as many as 100 franchise locations.

After 5 years with Crunch Fitness, I earned my MBA and joined a boutique fitness start-up concept as VP of Operations before landing an incredible opportunity at WellBiz Brands. WellBiz is one of the world’s largest beauty, fitness and wellness franchisors. Its portfolio with nearly 1,000 franchised locations globally and over 300 in development features category leaders including Drybar®, Amazing Lash Studio®, Radiant Waxing®, Elements Massage® and Fitness Together®.

What I love most about franchising is that it offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to dive into a new market with the backing of a proven and growing brand. Moreover, my experience as a successful former small business owner and years of experience in franchising offers unique support and inspiration to franchise owners and anyone thinking about becoming a franchise owner.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love this question because I choose “experiences” over things. We remember our experiences over things. We are social creatures who love stories and memories of exploring new places!

When I’m not working, I spend a lot of my time training and competing in various martial arts. I was a former ProAm Muay Thai fighter and now I compete in Jiu Jitsu. I recently captured the American National Championship title and Silver at the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation’s World Master. Both are considered the most prestigious tournaments in the sport.

So if my best friend was visiting the area for a week, we’d definitely train jiu jitsu, check out rooftop bars and restaurants, go hiking, take a stroll on the beach, hit the gym and do touristy things.

I am a 9-year member of Orange County’s Yelp Elite Squad so I’d like to say I’m pretty confident I know what and where the hot spots are.

Some of my favorite destinations are: Disneyland, Laguna Beach and Balboa Island

My favorite rooftop bars are: The Deck on Laguna Beach, Offshore 9 Rooftop, and Top of the V.

My favorite restaurants: In n Out, Gem Dining, Anaheim Packing District, Ohshima Japanese Cuisine and Knife Pleat.

My favorite hikes: Blackstar Canyon, Back Bay Loop and Top of the World in Laguna Beach.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate my shoutout to my parents and my sister.

My mom and dad both passed away from cancer during my young adulthood. To honor their memory, I’m living my life with theirs as inspiration. I will smile, I will work hard, I will never give up, I will find the adventure in everyday, and I will think of them, always.

My sister was born with Down’s Syndrome who loves without judgment, loves unconditionally, expects nothing in return and gently reminds me to celebrate the little things in life. Life is made up of beautiful moments which make it worth living. She reminds me to slow down because there are many cherished moments that we miss due to being overwhelmed by stress, consumed by work and our fast paced lifestyles.

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