Pictured above is local CrossFit Playground business co-owner, Colchester Plum Tomato general manager, full-time Mom, coach, and dear friend, Erin Walls. Erin is a do-it-all kind of gal as you can see in this photo, as Erin sports her CFPG cap & Wepco Face Shield, and takes a moment from her management duties to get hands-on with a pizza pie at The Plum Tomato (which I find particularly inspiring and rare, and reminds me very much of David Sr. at Wepco who spends every day with us on the floor).
I’ve talked with Erin about the importance of submersion in any environment/culture in which she plays a management or ownership role, something I’m sure all reading this post can understand and relate to; how else do you get your people to trust you? How else do you get familiar with the reality of day-to-day business? How else can you truly understand, how else can you truly relate?
Erin lives & breathes her business. She treats her gym as much more than just a gym, and her members as family. What boggles me and deeply inspires me about Erin Walls is that never once has she sacrificed her personal health nor her time with one of the most important little people in her life, her 6-year-old daughter Charlotte, for any of her commitments. I wanted to interview Erin because she embodies continuous improvement. She exemplifies Wepco’s core values across the board: Do More. Always do the right thing. Never stop improving. Impact our community. And the best part? She does so with a good attitude, for her employees, for her gym members, and most importantly, for her 6-year-old daughter.
I was curious about how Erin juggles it all and is still one of the best and most successful mothers, business owners, and friends I know. I first asked her how this quarantine has forced her to pump the brakes.
“I really haven’t pumped the brakes, to be honest. But, I try to take Sunday to do something other than work. And I’ve found new activities that I enjoy, like spending more time outside, exploring new places.” Are we feeling this way as manufacturers since COVID-19? We might feel instead like the brakes on our vehicles have actually ceased to exist.
I then asked her what is most precious to her in her life.
“Aside from my children, fulfillment from my work. Making an impact on people’s lives. Giving them something they take with them and apply to other facets of their lives. I’ve aimed to do that at TPT for 20 years… and now, I get to make an impact on people’s fitness and health.”
Selfless. Devoted. Faithful. Motivated. Consistent. Humble. All things that Erin Walls is. All things that we aspire to be, and especially how we wish to handle ourselves in our business relationships. Accepting of change. Devoted to what’s most valuable. To Erin, it’s health. It’s family. It’s knowing her worth and honoring her truth. It’s recognizing what replenishes her cup. It’s balancing business as best she can. It’s accepting change. It’s continuous improvement. It’s constantly learning. It’s changing people’s lives, through devotion and selfless promise. It’s her follow-through.
Juggling it all can feel nearly impossible. I know we feel a lot of pressure right now. Change is scary. When you’re feeling it all pile on, think of Erin’s grace… when things get confusing, she grabs a barbell to shake off the dust. When she feels a slight disconnect from her staff, she jumps in head first and makes the pizza, herself. And after a long week of work, she makes sure she sings with Charlotte.
Try it out. Spend time with your families. Work hard all week, give yourself a Sunday break, and remember why you do what you do.
In business, we must do more than what is average to stand out and to make change. We must be active in our communities; it is our duty. We must accept and honor continuous improvement. And we must always strive to do the right thing.