Company: Baumann & Semmler Management GmbH – PRIMETIME fitness Kastel
Founders: Patrick Baumann, Jannik Semmler
Date founded: August 21, 2023
Industry and company: Fitness & health

What drives you? What is your motto?
The early bird catches the worm. It's not important when you tackle things, only that you tackle them.

What is your start-up about and what makes it special?
PRIME TIME fitness Home is a gym concept for anyone who has a clear fitness goal and appreciates a supportive and pleasant atmosphere. Thanks to the appealing club and the clear focus on motivation and training, everyone can achieve their goals here. It may sound trivial, but it is one of the very few fitness concepts that focuses on training.

What are your first successes?
Advance sales: Advance sales during the cold winter months went surprisingly well, despite all the adverse circumstances. Renovation: It was a major renovation project, and we faced a few hurdles. The former bank building still had a few treasures hidden away for us, such as the huge safe. Employees: Hiring our first employee was something very special.

What is your professional background?
Patrick Baumann: After my time as a conscientious objector, I was lucky enough to be able to study in a dual program. After 5 years of bachelor's and master's studies, I had already seen quite a bit of the fitness world. Ultimately, love brought me to Wiesbaden and put me in touch with PRIME TIME fitness. I have been working there since 2017 in many areas, including member management and then self-employment.

Jannik Semmler is approaching his 10-year anniversary as an employee at PRIME TIME fitness GmbH. With a BA in fitness economics, he is currently the national sales manager of the PRIME TIME chain.

What prompted you to start your own business?
Patrick: The trigger is always the hunger to create something that lasts. For me, it's about fulfilling an inner desire. Broken down, what spurs me on, for example, is being addressed as "the guy from the gym" when I'm sitting comfortably at the wine stand in Kostheim or driving home from work. You realize that you are making a difference and have arrived in suburban life.

Who advised you, who are your helpers and mentors?
Patrick: One of my most important mentors was and still is Nils Kupprat. He owns several PRIME TIME fitness clubs in Hamburg and is not only a mentor but also a great pillar in my life as a person. I have received support from many sides and from a wide variety of sources, so I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude.

How did you experience your first days as founders?
Patrick: In the club business, the opening day—when members come to train for the first time—is definitely the moment when the project becomes reality. After a busy night, I was at the club shortly after five in the morning, preparing for the start of training. The first guest arrived at 6:42 a.m. That moment really does something to you.

What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
Patrick: Despite all the help and advice, it's still up to you to keep track of everything and not let yourself get distracted by minor details. It's incredibly difficult to decide what needs your attention at any given moment. Accordingly, I see the biggest challenge in dealing with colleagues under stress.

How do you draw attention to your company? What is your best marketing idea?
We primarily pursue an established, safe, but also costly marketing strategy. We go out on the street and talk to people. There is no other strategy that can be planned with similar precision. Of course, we also use social media channels such as Instagram.

How did you finance your start-up?
Since the coronavirus crisis, gyms have been considered a high-risk investment. Accordingly, it was not possible to obtain financing, so we financed it privately.

What dream would you still like to realize? With fitness
and health, we have one of the most wonderful products in the world. We can use it to help change attitudes toward life and create motivation. That dream has already come true. Now it's time to spread that dream.

Please complete the following sentence: If I had more time, I would...
Patrick: ... I would spend it with my children.

What is your special tip: What would you recommend to founders? We can only
urge founders to be on good terms with their families, their tradespeople, and their customers. There is nothing better than intact relationships in business life.