Meet Maricarmen “MC” Hernandez | Owner of ChocolateGirlFitness/The Training Space LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maricarmen “MC” Hernandez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maricarmen “MC”, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Wow! you know I never thought about it like that. I just knew it was something I had to do. I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart, and I knew that owning something was the only way to build a legacy for me and my family. I graduated from FIU Business school with my bachelors, and started working in the food/entertainment industry for years. I’ve been an operations manager for other peoples businesses, and I saw the amount of sacrifice that went with owning a business; not to mention the amount of responsibility it took to constantly stay relevant in your field amongst your competitors. So I would always say things like “I’ll own a business when I’m older”, because I wanted to experience my life and I knew that as time went on it would make me a better more well rounded entrepreneur. I never wanted to rush into starting a business because of fear of failure, and I understand that failure to some degree is inevitable in an entrepreneurial venture. However, age and experience can better prepare you for life as a business owner and somehow I knew that at an early age. My story is long how I ended up in fitness, but to shorten it. Once I became a NASM certified personal trainer I saw a huge need in the industry, and that was my fuel to fill a void. My thought process first started with the amount of money most personal trainers make and how its just not sustainable, and secondly we can’t even afford health insurance. That was all I need to create the concept of The Training Space.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
So I created The Training Space with the personal trainer in mind. The Training Space is a place where trainers pay rent, and are able to operate their business from the space. As I said before, the main purpose for my business model is to be able to put us in a position to afford health insurance and make a sustainable income to live a life of design.

I am excited to be a pioneer in this business model and change the current industry model. Working tirelessly for a lot of big gyms that don’t have cool equipment, have a horrible pay structure and then offer no employment security is a thing of the past. Most trainers can build business with their social media base, so they should be allowed to have a space to bring their clients and run their classes and pay to use the facility.

Consistency…its not only my motto but its what has made me the person I am today. My mother and father would preach a lot about character. Show people who you are by leading with an example. Work hard and never quit in the middle of something, if you say your going to do it finish it through, but never give up. My father was huge about not giving up and working hard. So at a15 when I got my first job I have always put 100% into the most menial of task… why b/c I never want someone to say I did bad work. People can only sit back and say damn that girl is relentless. Where I’m at today wasn’t easy. hahaha thats a whole other story for another day, but just know I have worked for everything I have and I barely sleep. The roads and obstacles have been many but it has all shaped the individual you see today.

Lessons I have learned are so many. 1. To be your best self- you owe it to the people you serve and those that work around you for you to deal with your own demons and manage your personality, 2. Never back down from what you believe in- compromise is one thing but if you really think something is going to work find a way to get it done, 3. No one is ever going to give you credit so don’t go looking for it, 4. Be a good person- find a Spirtual practice and be humane, blessings come to those that put others before themselves, 5. You can never know enough- study learn read expand your knowledge that can support your expertise, 6. Life Is short 7. You create your life don’t wait for someone to create that position for you..make it happen. 8. Never stop searching for what makes you personally happy, 9. Know when to walk away, 10. Consistency wins ever time!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love my city let me tell you so I enjoy it to the max!

So for my glamorous people out there-
Once you land you will probably stay at the Fontainebleau, W or SLS so hotel bar it is.
for the evening we would hit up Kiki on the river and have the most magnificent time dancing the night away with the best greek food ever.
Saturday is for sure a boating day. It is the only real way to experience Miami In my opinion and dock at one of the day parties this goes on until the evening
Sundays are for Nikki beach Brunch and laying out until the sunsets

For my down to earth people-
Once you land and check in to your Air bnb we are off to Wynwood for Happy Hour at Suviche

Saturday we make it out to SoBe and rent some umbrellas and chairs and have fun on the sand. In the evening we go to Brickell and hit up Tacology and then to one of the lounges on the strip.

Sunday we hit up brunch at Morgans and then make our rounds in Wynwood via scooters hitting up all the bar spots, local vendors and hangouts.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My youngest brother Armando was the one that planted the seed in my mind that I needed to open a studio. Along with my longtime client and investor Ksenia McGrath who also would plant the seed with each training session that I needed to open a studio. When it came time to hold her to her word she didn’t even flinch in writing me a check…I will always be indebted to her gratitude and because of her my dream would’ve never become material.

Website: thetraining-space.com

Instagram: @thatgirlMC

Facebook: ChocolateGirlFitnessLLC

Youtube: MC CHOCOLATEGIRLFITNESS

Image Credits
Photo: Joe Wesley Photography Logo: Nik Mitchell of NIK_creative