2. Mission Statement Our mission is to provide the community with knowledge, resources, and skills needed to achieve their weight loss goals and an overall healthier lifestyle.

3. Philosophy Statement We believe that it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle for each individual. We hold accountability for our team and our clients to work together to make strides in achieving weight loss goals. Our team will maintain a supportive and comfortable environment, adapting to each individuals client’s needs. We will provide evidence based education on nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle choices to help our clients achieve a healthier lifestyle. We will provide excellent service to our clients at all times.

4. Environmental Assessment Ionia, Michigan is located half way between Grand Rapids and Lansing. 2013 population, according to U.S. Census Bureau, is 64,073. Ionia city’s obesity rate in 2014 is 29.3%. (City-Data.com, 2014) One fitness center in city limits, Snap Fitness. Multiple fast food chains. River walk/trail, but not in good repair. Sidewalks for safe walking along streets.

5. Step It Up Goal Provide a comfortable, safe, and affordable atmosphere for all people 18 and older to participate in educational classes and physical fitness activities to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle in the rural community of Ionia, Michigan.

6. Step It Up Objectives To provide a variety of gym services seven days a week, twenty four hours a day. To provide personal training classes and proper use of equipment teaching sessions five days a week and by appointment. To ensure each member has access to cooking classes, nutrition classes, and the most up to date information on a healthy eating lifestyle. To set up a healthy eating plan and weight loss plan individualized to each client. To provide a comfortable, safe, and affordable atmosphere for all people 18 and older to participate in educational classes and physical fitness activities. To encourage and challenge our clients throughout the weight loss process.

7. Job Descriptions There are eight different positions available within the “Step It Up” organization. A description for each of these positions along with how these positions work together will be provided in this section.

8. Nutritionist The nutrition specialist will be the team’s resource for anything and everything in regards to healthy eating. The nutritionist will assist clients in developing healthy eating plans targeted toward each individual, developing healthy meal plans alongside the company chef, and developing/teaching fun classes on benefits of healthy eating that will be offered to "Step it Up" clients periodically. He/she will be available five days a week to answer questions at the fitness center. The nutritionist will report directly to the manager. The educator, nutritionist, and nurse will work in cooperation to present proper education on diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and healthy diet choices to clients.

9. Chef The Chef will be the leader of all cooking classes at the fitness center. He/she will work closely with the nutritionist to develop healthy meals that can be incorporated into cooking classes. He/she will be responsible for collaborating with the accountant on a budget for foods and supplies that will be required for courses each month. The cooking classes will be taught twice a week to clients. He/she will also be responsible for procurement of all required supplies. The chef will report to the manager and be an active member of the food team. He/she is responsible for full compliance to any/all state and federal requirements along with serving as lead for onsite inspections.

10. Event Planner The event planner will be the team’s liaison/marketer within the community. He/She will coordinate dates and times to promote “Step It Up” with other events in the community. He/She will develop fliers, open houses, and advertisements for citizens to recognize the new program in the community. The event planner must be creative, motivated, enthusiastic, and personable. Accountant The accountant will be an individual who analyzes financial information. He/she will be responsible for coordination and preparation of the financial budgets for all departments. He/She will be responsible for maintaining records of assets and tax liability. The accountant will have the responsibility of payroll. He/She must have organizational skills, be motivated, and work well under pressure. The accountant is responsible for maintaining active licensing and complying with any and all state and federal laws along with serving as lead for any audits or legal activities.

11. Manager The manager will be responsible to plan, direct, and oversee the business of ‘Step it Up.” He/She will be responsible for developing and enforcing company policies. The manager must be a leader, be motivated, be enthusiastic, and be ready to work as a team. “Step it Up” is not a company that is run by someone who sits at a desk and is superior to others. The manager of “Step it Up” is someone who encourages the best from his/her employees and interacts with them as a co-worker rather than a boss. Personal Trainer The personal trainer will possess and maintain valid certification as required. He/she will meet with clients individually to help develop goals and recognize achievements of each client helping to ensure success. The personal trainer will acknowledge that each client is unique and be respectful of that fact. The trainer will be responsible for teaching aerobics, yoga, and other various exercise classes. He/she must be driven, enthusiastic, pleasant, and accountable to each client.

12. Educator The educator will be responsible for expanding and supporting the needs to those willing to learn within "Step It Up." The educator will be responsible for assessing the educational needs of clients and helping to reach personal goals within the facility. They must be knowledgeable in health based practices and encourage individuals to strive to want to actively participate in learning. They must be organized, motivated, dependable, and flexible with the demands of clients. The educator, nutritionist, and nurse will work in coordination with presenting proper education of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and healthy diet choices. Education isn’t what you learn, it’s what you do with what you learn.

13. Nurse The nurse will be an individual who has a valid registered nurse (RN) license within the state of Michigan. They will be knowledgeable, professional, upbeat, and willing to participate actively with clients. He/she must also collaborate with other team members to ensure the health needs are met for each client. The nurse will also teach proper monitoring of blood pressures, heart rates, and weight based on the healthy range for that individual. The educator, nutritionist, and nurse will work in coordination in the presenting of proper education of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and healthy diet choices.

14. Advertising Prices: Ionia Sentinel Newspaper Prices are by column inches; $9.00 per column inch for black and white and $12 for color. In business section a 2x2 or 4 column inch is $38 (black & white) and $48 (color). Health and Fitness magazine For a vertical 1/8 page black and white it costs $385 or for an 1/4 page black and white the fee is $600 color ads need to add 15% (Health and Fitness, 2009, para 12).

16. Hours of operation and Fees for Service "Step It Up" will be open 24 hours a day 7 days a week with closures on holidays. The initial staff that is hired will all be full-time and work to cover the hours of 8 AM to 9 PM. Fees for service will be charged on a monthly bases of $45 for single, $75 for two adults living at the same address, or $80 for family (2adults and 2 minors ages 14-17) living at same address.

18. References City-Data.com. (2013). Ionia, Michigan. Retrieved from: http://www.city- data.com/city/Ionia-Michigan.htmlhttp://www.city- Health and Fitness Magazine. (2009). Advertising. Retrieved from: http://www.healthfitness.us/advertise.html. United States Census Bureau. (2014). State and County a Information: Ionia. Retrieved from: www.quickfacts.census.gov