Ciaran Duffy is a former world light middleweight boxing champion who has established himself Duffy boxesan all abilities boxing gym based at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London.
Duffy Boxing is supported by our own CEO: Stubben Edge Founder, Chris Kenning.
Our mission is to help people start and run their businesses better. Now we can live that experience by connecting with a brand new company. This three-part series was created to shed light on what it actually takes to start and run a small business.
The first interview deals with the challenges of starting a business and how to overcome them.
I knew what I wanted after I quit boxing
“I had my first fight when I was 11 years old. Before that I trained for years — my father was a trainer and my grandfather boxed, so boxing is in my blood.
Boxing is addictive, so I wanted to stay involved in the sport even after I stopped fighting. But I’ve always had a love for fitness and sports in general, so I also enjoyed training people without pressure — training people to lose weight or just to feel good.
Duffy Boxing started after my friend Chris Kenning asked me if I was interested in opening a gym. I worked in the city and trained people there and everything grew from there. I knew what I wanted: a gym where I could turn and wash myself, but where I could also help build a boxing career. It seemed like a realistic and plausible option to me.
My idea is to have a real professional gym where professionals can train and compete with the people who come to train in the morning. The trainers here are former fighters, but not boxers with angry faces, but friendly, positive people with good energy.
I like the mix of professional training and classes where we can have a giggle, everyone works hard and everyone smiles at the end. It’s a nice balance.”
Top tip: Know what you want, but be realistic.
The most important thing is to build relationships
“We had problems with flooding in the run-up to the launch. It was frustrating, but it’s like anything else: you have to push yourself and do your best. We got through that time and I was lucky to have a lot of good people around me.
We also had to get the name out there. We worked with Spencer Oliver and Johnny Nelson: two world-class fighters and sporting figures, and they did a lot to help get the Duffy Boxing name and brand out there. When we opened we had Sky, ITV, TalkSport and social media companies and that’s because of the connections and the fighters we have.
It is already known as a boxing club. We all help each other. For me, relationships with people are the most important thing. I help people and they do the same for me.
They say the harder you work, the luckier you get. I don’t know how hard I’ve worked, but I know I’m lucky. I am blessed with the people that surround me. The team, the fighters and coaches.
In boxing, in life and in business – what goes around comes around. I really believe that. If you do the right thing, the right thing will come to you.”
Top tip: Relationships with people are incredibly important. If you do the right thing, the right thing will come to you.
Marketing and social media were very important
“Filling this gym is all about local advertising. The majority of our members are people in the housing developments here and in the surrounding East Village. People tend not to travel long distances for a boxing class and I understand that.
One person came up to me and asked if it was a franchise and I said, “No, it’s just my name, but I’m glad you think it’s a brand!”. The more people see it along the way, the more helpful it is.
When it comes to the Duffy Boxing brand, social media is very helpful. I’m lucky because I work with fighters who have a large following on social media, and we have people alongside us who also have a large following on social media, and that’s important for the brand as a whole.
The development of our fitness app also allows us to reach a much larger audience and push boundaries that would be associated with a mere physical building.”
Top tip: Generate interest with local advertising and social media.
Stick to a realistic vision
“If you have a vision — a realistic vision — using your skills, then it’s about finding a way to make it happen. Keep coming back to that one point and saying, “This is what I want.” It’s hard to stay true to what you want.
Be willing to move and adapt because you may have to. I have Plan B and Plan C. There are ways around everything and you have to be able to move and adapt.
Have a vision and do everything in your power to make it work. And if it doesn’t work, leave it alone, baby!”
Top tip: Be flexible and adaptable if things don’t go according to plan.
The Duffy Boxing Elite Training Center is now open. Find out more about training and courses, from beginner to advanced. Here. You can also follow Duffy Boxing on Instagram @duffyboxing_
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