Page 43 - IB April 2021

Fitness
FIT FOR BUSINESS

By Alipate Pareti

A young Papua New Guinean business couple has taken
hardship wrought by the coronavirus pandemic as an op-
portunity to band together, roll up their sleeves and take on
life’s challenges as they run a fitness program in their local
community.
William Moaina and Florence Daple of East Street Fitness
training facility talk about how they have adapted to find
ways for their business to thrive in the ‘new normal’, the
economic environment created post-COVID-19.
Islands Business: Can you tell us a little about your busi-
ness?
East Street Fitness: We are a 24-hour gym located in
7-mile, Port Moresby, PNG. ESF provides a 24-hour gym facil-
ity with emphasis on personal training and well-being. We set
it up in 2007 because of the lack of a variety of public gym
facilities and personal training services in and around Port looking to expand locally, creating a healthy ecosystem of
Moresby. the ESF brand, from 24-hour gym chains to healthy foods and
clothing.
IB: What motivates you to pursue this type of business?
ESF: Our main aim was to help others in their fitness IB: What challenges has the pandemic thrown at you?
journey. Now that we have seen so many success stories, the ESF: COVID hasn’t really affected Papua New Guinea
motivation to keep going is seeing the happiness gained after drastically in comparison to our neighbouring countries like
people have trained with us. Australia and the Asian continent (Ed note: this interview was
Over the years we have had clients come to us and thank conducted before the huge spike in COVID diagnoses in PNG).
us for looking and feeling better, finding their self-confidence But a big challenge was the lockdown periods. Having to open
in themselves and most importantly and the most gratifying: and close the gym countless times affected the traffic in and
changing their lifestyle for not only the betterment of their out of the gym. At one point, we didn’t have clients coming
family but themselves in the long-term too. into the gym which affected our monthly revenue in trying to
keep up with rentals. Nonetheless, we have powered through,
IB: What positive impacts and benefits has it had on the gaining momentum again and this year our numbers have
community? picked up twice as more than the previous year.
ESF: We are set up in the 7-mile area, about 20 mins away
from the CBD. Most of the walk ins we’ve had are newcomers, IB: What advice do you have for our readers in terms of
many of which have not used a treadmill before, let alone keeping fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle?
moved a dumbbell/barbell before. We think the most posi- ESF: The biggest encouragement we could give right now is
tive impact we’ve had on especially individuals living in our to always stay consistent and never give up. It doesn’t matter
immediate area is accessibility to not only a gym but informa- when you reach your goals, as long as you stay true to the
tion about living healthier lifestyles. Not only inside, but out journey and consistently grow, you will achieve them and that
of the gym as well. in itself is the motivation you will need to continue maintain-
ing a fit, balanced and healthy lifestyle.
IB: You’ve pioneered online and digital payment services.
Can you tell us why you chose this service? IB: Lastly, do you also have any advice on how to balance
ESF: The main benefit of using BSP’s online service was its the struggles of this pandemic while running a business in
ease of access to our product and services. Our ESF Packages this new economic environment?
as well as our clothing apparel East Street Fit wear are all ESF: We have had some talks with different people and of
listed online. It was great in the fact that you could just find course the balance for us we figure as a small business is to be
what you wanted plus its information and what the product creative and innovative. Going virtual was the biggest adjust-
looked like and then (immediately) pay for it. This was the ment we could make during this pandemic because we gained
main benefit. positive feedback from it due to the convenience provided for
our customers and clients.
IB: What plans do you have for the future?
ESF: Our main venture still lies in PNG. We are no doubt editor@islandsbusiness.com

Islands Business, April 2021 43