Tom’s Story

Losing a well paid and comfortable job in a industry I enjoyed I was sort of at a loose end but had some ideas. Most of these involved traveling and drinking beer but I had wondered could I start a business and make it a success? This was the predicament I was in after a cup of coffee with Colm one morning. I had been a little late to meet Colm as I got stopped for speeding, the kind Guard asked me where I was going so I told him the truth and he let me off after asking me how I found that particular motorbike. We were off to a good start at least.

Tom in his natural environment

I started to really look at the numbers being generated in Tallaght and the bones of the operation. It seemed to be more of a very expensive hobby than a business. Guys pouring their heart into something and not even making minimum wage. This was just crazy. I went about talking to Colm and Will about our options. I saw only one, a bigger premises in a better location. The guys had the passion and the expertise, the rest in my own words “will work itself out”.

Ignoring the many people that told me I was stupid for even contemplating it and hiding my clapped out piece of junk car from potential landlords I went looking for that premises. I met plenty of shiny suits and people that looked down their nose at me, acting like their premises was the only one in South Dublin. I wrapped up a deal with a decent and down to earth fella but outlined that he had to have the keys to us by the 22nd of December. He got damn close and I wrote a cheque straight out of my beer, holiday and motorbike fund. Let the craziness start!

We had keys, a premises, lots of coffee and plenty of energy and belief.

We started to gut the premises and surrounding yard to clean the place up, a mistake I will never make again. We spent thousands painting, cleaning, fitting lights and general stuff that took up alot of time and energy. This was all helped by a special group of Crossfitters that helped us out and showed huge generosity with their time and skill, you all know who you are and we thank you.

The phone started ringing, often answered while up on a scaffolding tower and trying to paint one more bit of a wall and I felt great.

I had and occasionally still have people that tell me that I am crazy, that we will never make it. I find it amazing that of all the very successful people I am lucky enough to know, none of them have said I am crazy. They ask me how its going, and some of them are a little more passionate about their dislike for that mindset.

Does that mean I wake up everyday and say “wahooooo, every penny I have is tied up in this….. I am back living at home with my parents……. I regularly don’t sleep with worry…….. I LOVE THIS”? No. I have good and bad days like everyone else. Would I reverse my decision? Like hell I would!

It is working but we are a long long way from where we need to be before any of us are going to be earning a decent living out of this, with running costs coming in at nearly €55,000 per annum before wages we need to find about €62,500 per year including VAT just to pay the bills.

We have a community, we love what we do, we have fun, we laugh and joke but above and beyond all that Crossfit Ireland is a business. The day we loose sight of that Crossfit Ireland will cease to exist. They say that four businesses are closing everyday, so help us make sure Crossfit Ireland won’t be one of those businesses.

Thanks for reading,
Tom