I started my side hustle after my ex dumped me for being gym obsessed – now I’m the ‘Fitness Cupid’ with a £3m business
'I always knew it could be big. But I didn't for a second think I will be in an office like now in Canary Wharf, with 25 investors'A GYM fanatic has shared how he went from getting dumped on the treadmill to matching fellow fitness super fans across the UK.
Jamie Wykes-Hobday, 30, is the mastermind behind the now-successful FITFCK, a dating app which connects avid gym-goers - and one that's become the hottest new thing in the fitness world, now forecasting multi six figures in revenue this year.
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4Whether you're a cardio bunny or love weightlifting - or are at the very start of your health journey - the app is open to all fitness freaks, often organising regular events and offering a community.
Chatting exclusively to Fabulous, Jamie revealed he first came up with the idea after his ex-girlfriend broke up with him, feeling like she was second behind gym and his vigorous fitness routine.
But although Jamie - who also worked a personal trainer at the time - was devastated by the abrupt end of the relationship, he quickly realised he could make something out of this.
''She broke up with me on the treadmill. I burst into tears afterwards,'' said the entrepreneur, who chuckled adding he made sure ''to finish the cardio session'' before leaving.
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''After crying for a bit, I was like 'This is actually a really good idea - why is there not like a Tinder, Bumble or Hinge for gym people?'''
This, Jamie said, is when FITFCK was born - but to him, it's more than just an app. FITFCK is also a brand.
''That's why we've got the events, the app, the clothing, the management because we don't want to be just a dating app.''
Unfortunately, like with most businesses, it was initially a bumpy ride, one that got made even worse when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world.
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''COVID completely screwed it - no one can go to the gym. I've built this app, I've got a hundred thousand people signed up to it and then COVID happens.
''You can't be seen promoting dating apps during COVID because it's breaking social distancing, it's breaking lockdown.
''Our whole traction comes from social media - and we couldn't promote it.
''Also, income then goes down because no one's going to invest, no one's going to sponsor an app when it's not allowed to go.''
Luckily, however, towards the end of the global pandemic there was a glimmer of hope and Jamie's FITFCK saw a financial boost from a close friend who owns a large content creator platform.
Now, looking back at how far he's come, Jamie - who also invested all of his savings into FITFCK - said he had never expected for the brand to be as successful as it is.
4''I always knew it could be big. But I didn't for a second think I will be in an office like now in Canary Wharf, with 20 investors in my business.
''If I speak to investors, I can say I personally put in six figures,'' added the 30-year-old, nothing it was one of his ''biggest strengths''.
But how does the app work?
After signing up and choosing your fitness level, members can choose what they're after - whether that's dating, training together, a relationship or something a bit more casual.
''We're very open in the fact that people use dating apps for casual fun - and I don't know why apps like Tinder don't admit that cause that's what people use Tinder for.''
Once you've found a potential match and are ready to show off your best chat, it's time for ice-breakers - and of course, they're all gym-related, such as who is your gym inspiration, how many times a week do you work out and others.
Be yourself - because your authentic self is what will get the best results.''
Jamie Wykes-Hobday30
Since launching the app, the community has grown massively, recently hitting a milestone of an astronomical 10k members and a whopping 1.3million engagements, including swipes and chat starts.
The app is also proof that despite what society may think, you canfind love on dating platforms - according to Jamie, there is a couple who matched just a week after the launch and have been together for over a year.
Fancy becoming a part of the community? The brand also organises regular events, which start with a gym session during the day and then heading out for the evening - and former Love Islander Ryan Weekley has also been spotted with the crew.
''It's a very hot guestlist,'' Jamie chuckled.
As for the future, the fitness lover revealed FITFCK has big plans to look forward to - including closing a monster investment raise that will see the company worth well over their previous value of £3million.
The brand is also looking to expand overseas in the USA, where Jamie believes FITFCK will be even bigger than here.
Want to start your business? Here's what Jamie says...
Is one of your New Year's resolution to rake in cash with a side hustle? Or have you always dreamed about launching your business?
Jamie, who's been in the game now for a few years, advised to ''always be yourself''.
''That's a massively overlooked thing. People try and act like something they're talking to partners, investors, to Instagram.
4''Be yourself - because your authentic self is what will get the best results.''
It's also essential to think about your community - one of the key factors that's ''everything'' in Jamie's eyes.
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''You won't succeed of you're on social media and you don't have a community.''
Building a dating app? The 30-year-old had a simple message: ''Always put the female opinion first - because it's the most important thing. Sorry lads!''
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