How Katie Davis built a thriving business on her own terms.
Not all successful businesses start out with a detailed plan and wild ambition.
Katie Davis initially launched Clear Grace Strength, a female-focused strength and conditioning gym located in Lincoln, Illinois, as a side gig in 2020, not sure if she wanted to turn it into something bigger.
She was inspired to start the business after taking Brianna Battles’ Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism class following a difficult experience returning to CrossFit and weightlifting after her first child. With her second pregnancy she slowly built a solid foundation of strength and endurance, and as a result she had none of the issues she’d experienced after her first pregnancy.
Katie was so excited about helping women get strong—especially women who were pregnant or postpartum—in 2020 she began training a few women at her CrossFit gym, while still working full-time as a hairstylist.
“Initially I was like, ‘Oh this would be cool if I could help like some of the girls at the gym that I went to at the time,’” Katie said.
Soon, Katie grew more passionate about coaching all types of women. She earned her CrossFit Level 1 Certificate and attended an in-person coaching seminar with Brianna Battles in Boise, Idaho in 2022.
“That just kinda like gave me the kick in the ass that I needed to do more with it,” Katie said.
There was only one problem.
“I didn't know how to run a business,” Katie said.
“I really still don't if I'm honest,” Katie said after a pause. “I'm just kinda winging it as I go.”
As more women began coming to her classes, Katie needed a space of her own, so in 2023 she began using a detached garage next to her friend’s cleaning business.
“It was 800 square feet with no bathroom, and we had to walk into the main building to use the bathroom,” Katie said.
After about a year in that space Katie had enough members to expand, so in June of 2024 she moved into where she is now, a 1,700-square-foot studio.
As she trained more women, Katie became interested in training women and girls throughout every stage of their lives, not just in pregnancy and postpartum. Now she has classes for women over age 60 as well as younger girls ages 7 to 10.
Instead of spending money on complicated marketing strategies, Katie has relied on world of mouth. This resulted in a slow growth that has allowed her to adjust as the business expands.
“It was such a gradual thing,” Katie said, “and at the same time I was doing hair and coaching at another CrossFit gym too,” Katie said—in addition to taking care of her kids, now ages five and eight.
Eventually, something had to give.
So in 2024 Katie made the decision to stop working as a hairstylist. As Clear Grace Strength grew, Katie realized she was more passionate about coaching than working in a hair salon. This was surprising to her, since she’d wanted to be a hairstylist since she was in high school.
“Most people don't get to have two passions in their life,” she said, “so to then find something else down the road, that's pretty crazy.”
While Katie doesn’t have a precise roadmap for the future of her business, she does know she wants to hire an additional coach who can run early morning classes.
She may not have a traditional business plan and trajectory, but Katie is proof that a belief in your mission, commitment, and determination are the most important elements of a successful business.
“I just want to keep gradually growing and make sure I'm giving my members what they deserve,” Katie said.
About Author, Hilary Achauer