Surf queen Sally Fitzgibbons turns fitness entrepreneur

Surfing star Sally Fitzgibbons has turned entrepreneur. Photo: Red Bull

Three-time runner-up world championship surfer Sally Fitzgibbons is adding running a small business to her busy schedule.

Fitzgibbons has started Fitzgibbons International and will launch her first product next month, a fitness app called Train Like Sally.  

I see that we do have a unique twist because I am an elite athlete and performing on the world stage. 

Sally Fitzgibbons

She has invested $200,000 of her own money alongside business partner, startup entrepreneur Mike Bray, and now employs a team of five people who hope to capitalise on Fitzgibbons over 1 million social media followers.

Sally Fitzgibbons says she wants to inspire other young entrepreneurs.

Aiming for the 79 per cent of people aged between 18-29 years who access social media every day, Fitzgibbons International will harness Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to develop content such as video, images and vox pops.

"I've always had a great passion for what I'm doing and a great love of it," Fitzgibbons says. "I've been on the world surfing tour for eight years and my ultimate goal is to win my maiden world title."

But Fitzgibbons wants to build a business while continuing to chase her sporting goals. 

Sally Fitzgibbons at the launch of her foundation in December 2015. Photo: Peter Rae

"When I hop out of the water I feel there is a lot more in me and I've had this vision for quite a number of years that I want to create this bigger picture," she says. "I felt there is this community around the world and I wanted to create something to give back and to reach out to these people. My first book became a blueprint for our business in content creation and products to live in the health and fitness space."

A tough market

Fitzgibbons has been inspired by Michelle Bridges and Kayla Itsines to enter the fitness app market although she acknowledges the competition is tough.

"It's a very saturated market," she says. "We knew that going into it. I know in business terms it's not ideal when you have so many direct competitors but the more people I see moving the better."

Fitzgibbons says Bridges "paved the way for Australian fitness" while Itsines is "doing great things" but she thinks she can target a different niche.

"I see it as building a bigger, broader community," Fitzgibbons says. "I see that we do have a unique twist because I am an elite athlete and performing on the world stage. This is holistically what I live and breathe and I hope people connect to the journey."  

Fitzgibbons will also focus on content creation and strategy and creating bigger product with some of Fitzgibbon International's partners including Canon's Dream Squad which she is an ambassador for.

Taking a risk

It would have been easier just to put her name to some products but Fitzgibbons says she is keen to get her hands dirty after being involved in the business world from the age of 11. 

"You have an apprenticeship in the game because you are onboard as a surfwear ambassador from a young age," she says.

"You live and breathe the lifestyle and marketing elements and you are gathering all this information. I have invested in the last few years in a lot of startup companies I definitely attach to peoples' stories, their energy and enthusiasm to create something bigger. So I thought 'Why not do it myself?'." 

Fitzgibbons says she wanted the business to be relevant now, although she acknowledges "it's a risky thing to do and at a busy time of my life."

Her aim is to turn over "a small profit in the next year" and "seven figures" over the next few years.   

Rise of the young entrepreneur 

24-year-old Fitzgibbons says the rise of digital and social platforms offers young entrepreneurs an unrivalled opportunity to establish their own businesses.

"In this day and age there are so many avenues and pathways you can take," she says. "It does excite people that they formed their business from their work and their vision. No one is going to work harder than when they work for themselves."

Her advice to fellow young entrepreneurs is to "back yourself 100 per cent".  

"It's not an easy road, it's about really listening. What you don't know you can learn," Fitzgibbons says.

"It's been a whirlwind ride so far."

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