A perfect fit

Franchisee, Trainer

In the back of her mind, Rebecca Jones wondered “what it would be like to open a Curves franchise in Melfort.” Oh well… She moved from Saskatchewan to study social work at Red Deer College.

In 2005, Rebecca and her boyfriend, a member of the Canadian military, relocated to Edmonton. When she expressed a desire to lose the weight she had gained at college, he bought her a Curves’ membership. On a whim, Rebecca handed in her resume and was hired shortly after.

The 27-year old hasn’t looked back since. In March 2007, she bought the Fort Saskatchewan Curves… in June this year she purchased the Manning Crossing club.

For Rebecca, Curves is a perfect fit—in more ways than one. It is the world’s largest fitness franchise, and geared toward women of all shapes, sizes and ages who are determined to make health and fitness a part of their lives. It is also a nurturing environment where everybody leans on each other for support and encouragement.

“It really is a community. I think knowing there is such an amazing group of women waiting here that truly care for one another is incredible.”

Rebecca understands what it is to lean on others. In 2006, her boyfriend was posted to Afghanistan for seven months. “My family is in Saskatchewan and his is in Quebec. All the women here just picked me up and carried me through those seven months. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”

It’s that kind of support that makes her all the more determined to give back. In March, her Fort Saskatchewan club collected almost 1800 pounds of food for Curves’ “Food for Friends” campaign. Each October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Curves waives fees for anyone who makes a donation or brings in a recent mammogram. And, last October, Rebecca threw a “Girls Night In” party which included belly dancers, singers and a silent auction, with proceeds going to breast cancer research.

“It’s funny how things work out. Now the owner of the Curves in Melfort has called us and asked if we wanted to buy that club. At this point, we won’t… but it’s just kind of funny how things fall into place.”

- Written by Lauren Henrie, Edmontonians Sept 2009